NDC USA Tribute To Late Francis Obeng Ameyaw

‘This world is not my home, I’m just passing through, My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.” Jim Reeves

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It is with deep sorrow and profound regret that NDC USA expresses its profound heartbreak for the sudden death of Mr. Francis Obeng Ameyaw, a former Inter Chapter Coordinator of NDC-North America and NDC- USA, and a patron for Washington Metro NDC. News about the sudden passing of Mr. Francis Obeng Ameyaw hit the NDC- USA constituents like a wildfire on January 22, 2015. So has sorrows poured-in and even more, as we continually asked ourselves "why has the mighty fallen?

The late Francis Obeng Ameyaw got into NDC political fold in 1995 when Nii Okine Adjei was Chairman of NDC, Washington Metro. Francis was then working as a Travel Agent with Intraworld Travel Systems owned by Mr. Gabriel Pomary who was at that time Chairman of the NDC Publicity Committee.

Mr. Ameyaw got immersed into the NDC and never looked back. He soon took up the role of Organizer for the Chapter. When the “Democrat”, NDC-NACC News Magazine was established in 1996, Mr Ameyaw was appointed as the Editor. Francis was a great researcher, a prolific writer an avid reader who expounded on NDC issues tremendously in the Democrat which had a wide circulation.

In 1998, when Dr. Peter Afriyie of Chicago, Chairman of NDC-North America (NACC) died, Dr. George Lamptey of New York was elected as the new Chairman of NDC-NACC, Mr Kudjo Ave, as the Vice-Chairman and Mr. Francis Ameyaw as the Inter- Chapter Coordinator.

As the Inter Chapter Coordinator, Francis advanced the tenets of NDC in North America. He became the central and focal point for all the NDC Branches and NACC activities coordination- Washington Metro, Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Denver, Detroit, Toronto, Montreal, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Massachusetts, Houston and Virginia, and the new branches of NDC-USA. Being a Travel Agent, he facilitated travel arrangements for many members to NDC activities and functions.

In 2004, NDC-NACC organized the “Famous” Fundraiser in Houston, Texas. Francis Ameyaw, Mr. Zac Adama (NDC-NACC Secretary) and Dr. Mamboah Rockson coordinated the event that was graced by His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings.

There is no NDC Branch Chairman who would begrudge Francis appreciation and gratitude for all that he did for every Branch.

Francis Ameyaw supported a few NDC Parliamentary candidates in Ghana. He donated generously towards many NDC fund raisings both in Ghana and North America. He was the Archivist, constitutional and electoral repository of NDC-NACC.

There was a time when Francis was considered and recommended by some members for him to take up a top position within the National Executive Committee (NEC) in Accra. That was how capable, dedicated and committed he was to the NDC cause.

In 2006, Mr. Francis Ameyaw yielded the Inter-Chapter Coordinator position to Mr. Odattey Simmons of Chicago. He became the Cicero, the Elder Statesman of NDC in North America.
In 2007 Francis was made an honorary Patron of the Washington Metro Branch. He was appointed by the former Chairman, Prof. Agyenin Boateng to lead a team of members to review and re-write the bye laws for the branch. This document is currently the working bye laws of the branch. He was part of the Rapid Respond team (Communication committee) from 2009- 2012. A role he enjoyed and played well to the satisfaction of all. He became the electoral officer for the Branch who conducted our elections in 2012. He led the Washington Metro NDC delegates to NDC- USA conference in Massachusetts in 2012.

Those of us who had the privilege of working with Francis in political circles can say without equivocation that his devotion to duty is what impressed most of us. He was unwavering in his principles and yet open-minded to those who disagreed with him. He is indeed an inspiration to those he worked with, and admired by many. He never gave up and had a fiery zest for his political views yet, always tempered by bipartisan pragmatism that has endeared him to many.

The late Francis Ameyaw and others have mapped the course of history of the NDC in the Diaspora and will never be forgotten.

For his family, he was an inspiration. For NDC he was a genius and the "idea guy".
We are deeply saddened by his passing and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”

"Go now, to your place of rest. To the bosom of the Lord, your Maker.

FRANCIS OBENG AMEYAW MAY YOU REST IN PERFECT PEACE.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) can wish you no less.