Becoming MP for La Dade-Kotopon was a childhood dream – Rita Naa Odoley Sowah

The Member of Parliament for La Dade-Kotopon, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, has described her election as MP for the constituency as the fulfilment of a childhood dream rooted in her upbringing in the area.

Speaking in an interview, she said her journey to Parliament began many years ago, long before she entered active politics.

According to her, La Dade-Kotopon is a large and well-developed constituency that stretches from the Ako Adjei Interchange through Spintex Road to areas such as Palace Mall, Airport Hills and around Accra Mall.

Reflecting on her time in office, Ms Sowah said her second term as MP has been positive so far.

“So far, so good,” she said.

She traced her political journey to her early involvement in local governance under the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, where she served as a councillor when La Dade-Kotopon was still a sub-metro.

She explained that her connection to the community runs deep, as she grew up selling sugarcane and shea butter during school vacations to support her mother.

“I used to move around the community a lot from a young age, and I kept praying that God would make me a leader for the area so I could help develop it,” she said.

Ms Sowah said she later worked as an administrator for the then Member of Parliament for the area, which gave her further exposure to community work and leadership.

She was eventually appointed as the first Municipal Chief Executive for La Dade-Kotopon after it was carved out of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, serving for three and a half years under former President John Dramani Mahama.

She credited that opportunity for shaping her leadership skills and bringing her closer to the people.

According to her, one of her proudest achievements as Municipal Chief Executive was initiating the construction of the La Market, a project she said was inspired by her childhood experiences at the old market.

“When I was growing up, I used to go to the market to buy sugarcane. I always wished that one day I could help change that market,” she said.

Ms Sowah noted that the trust she built with the people through skills training programmes, student support, care for the aged and community advocacy helped her secure the mandate to represent the constituency in Parliament.

She said that trust was renewed when constituents gave her the opportunity to serve a second term.

The MP stressed that leadership requires working with all groups in the community, regardless of political affiliation.

She said she works closely with traditional leaders, Christian and Muslim groups, and other stakeholders to ensure unity and development.

“My doors are always open. Once you are elected, you must serve everyone, not just those who voted for you,” she added.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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