Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey’s journey in public life remains one of the clearest examples of steady, purposeful progression within the New Patriotic Party and Ghanaian politics. Serving as the first Member of Parliament for the newly created Anyaa-Sowutuom constituency from 2013 to 2021. From there she rose to serve as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (2017–2025) and is now Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. Her path was marked by diligence, institutional knowledge, and a reputation for competence that many constituents still associate with the seat.
After she stepped aside in 2020, the constituency was represented by Dr. Dickson Adomako Kissi (2021–2025) and is currently represented by Hon. Emmanuel Tobbin. While both men won their elections on the NPP ticket, a section of constituents and observers have expressed the view that neither has fully matched the stature, visibility, or developmental imprint left by Hon. Botchwey. This has created a sense among some party faithful and residents that the seat requires a leader who can restore continuity, calm, and purposeful representation.
It is against this background that Lawyer Akosua Brefowaa Owusu-Ansah, affectionately known as “Maame Brefowaa,” has formally declared her intention to contest the NPP parliamentary primaries for Anyaa-Sowutuom. An accomplished legal practitioner, public health expert, and businesswoman with interests in technology and skills acquisition, she brings a combination of professional depth and long standing grassroots presence. Her political involvement is rooted in genuine commitment to the NPP and a clear desire to drive skills development and tangible progress for the people of the constituency. She has worked for years at the polling-station level, engaged in charity and community support within Anyaa-Sowutuom and beyond, and is widely regarded as a figure of peace, diligence, hard work, and integrity.
The link between her profile and the Hon. Botchwey legacy is not difficult to see. Both women combine professional excellence with party loyalty. Both have demonstrated a capacity to move from quiet, consistent service at the base to positions of greater responsibility. Where Hon. Botchwey rose through ministerial and parliamentary ranks with a reputation for competence and composure, Lawyer Owusu-Ansah offers a similar foundation of integrity, grassroots credibility, and a focus on practical development particularly skills training, support for women, girls, and vulnerable groups. Her emphasis on peace and restoration speaks directly to constituents who feel the constituency has lost some of the stability and purposeful representation associated with the Hon. Botchwey years.
In declaring her intention to contest, Lawyer Akosua Brefowaa Owusu-Ansah presents herself as a candidate who understands both the history of the seat and the present expectations of its people. Whether she ultimately succeeds will be decided by the delegates and the electorate. What is clear is that her background, values, and stated priorities position her as a serious contender for those who believe Anyaa-Sowutuom needs a leader capable of building on the standards set by Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.
source: www.kumasimail.com
