Sadly, Dede says goodbye to her compatriots, judges and fans on the GMB show as she was evicted last Sunday. But not before she gave the remarkable and grand story of a great heroine, Rebecca Naa Dedei Aryeetey.
Although Princess Dede Tetteh failed to amass enough votes to keep her in the competition, she ended the night on a high note with an edifying narrative of the assiduous Dedei Ashikishan and her untimely death.
“The face of the beautiful woman on the Ghana 50p coin is a great heroine who hails from the Greater Accra region. Rebecca Naa Dedei Aryeetey, popularly known as Naa Dedei Ashikishan, was born in Osu and raised in James Town in Accra. After her primary education, she went into the Flour business, which earned her the name Naa Dedei Ashikishan. Ashikishan is a Ga name for flour. She was made the chief financier for Dr Kwame Nnkrumah during the then CPP party.”
Dede recounted how her namesake campaigned and bankrolled major party activities at her private residence in Kokomelemele. Her vital contribution to the CPP party transcended the country’s independence journey, with her party at the head of the struggle. Unfortunately, she earned herself some enemies in the political space.
“Her closeness to Dr Kwame Nkrumah made her an enemy to rival political parties, which led to her early death. She died tragically at a CPP function held at Ho. On the 22nd of June 1961, she died at age 38 and died single and childless. It was alleged that this great heroine and feminist complained of stomach pain at the function after drinking hot tea which was served to her.”
According to Dede, the news of her death was greatly mourned by the people of the Greater Accra region. And that is why the popular double-decker buses were named after her, Auntie Dedei. Also, the imagery of her face on the Ghanaian currency is to honour her selfless contribution to the country’s independence and economic growth.
To keep your favourite contestant in the competition, kindy vote by sending shortcode *713*13# or Download the GMB app on Google play store or Apple store.
By Grace Somuah-Annan|3news.com|Ghana
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