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Politics Series 4: British Ghanaian councillors

British Ghanaian in politics – where are they now?

In 2021, we at AKADi Magazine, profiled the leading British Ghanaians in UK politics in our sixth digital magazine issue. We called it ‘Ghanaians in Politics’.

 


Ahead of the 4 July UK elections, we take a glance back at the Ghanaian names in the UK’s political scene that we covered, look at what they’ve been doing since and highlight some newer faces on the political scene.

 

Mayors of the Borough

Councillor Maria Lovell MBE

Councillor Maria Lovell MBE became the first female mayor of African heritage to be elected in the borough of Luton in Bedfordshire. Her tenure was between 2020 and 2021.

 

Maria Lovell ©
Maria Lovell ©

The Takoradi-born Labour Party member, who has been a councillor in Luton’s Leagrave ward since May 2019, and at the time had only been a councillor for less than three years.

 

She told AKADi Magazine: “I thoroughly enjoyed my time as Mayor albeit during the difficult times of the Covid-19 pandemic which brought its challenges but it was a time for great leadership to bring hope and assurance and I believe I did my utmost best for Luton.

 

“I am still a councillor for Leagrave ward working hard for my residents which I take pride in. Also, a Cabinet member and Portfolio lead for Women, Equalities and Community Safety at Luton Borough Council.”

 

Luton has been Maria’s home for over 30 years. She raised her three children there and was a full-time carer for her elderly mother for 13 years, until she passed away in 2018.


She received an MBE in 2021 for her "outstanding" leadership during the worst months of the coronavirus outbreak in Luton.

Dominic Mbang

Labour Councillor Dr Dominic Mbang finished his year-long term as mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich earlier this year.

Dominic Mbang ©
Dominic Mbang ©

He has been a councillor for Woolwich Dockyard since May 2018 previously sat on housing and anti-poverty committees.


He is the chair of Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel. He is a specialist renal nurse and specialist discharge nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and has also worked as a police officer. Cllr Mbang has been the 12th mayor since Greenwich gained royal borough status.

 

Franklin Owusu-Antwi

Franklin Owusu-Antwi is the councillor for Bradley Stoke North ward, Chair of Council, Shadow Cabinet Member for Cost of Living, Equality & Public Health in South Gloucestershire.


Franklin Owusu-Antwi. Image credit Aaron Sims
Franklin Owusu-Antwi. Image credit Aaron Sims

Franklin is a Conservative Party member, an Old Achimotan and in his new role, has been able to combine two of his passions – promoting community cohesion and championing veteran initiatives in his South Gloucestershire constituency.

 

Franklin served with the 13 Air Assault Regiment RLC in Colchester as a combat logistician between 2006 and 2009. He was also deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan on Operation Herrick 8 in the autumn of 2007. 

 

Natasha Ennin

Natasha Ennin has been the Labour councillor for the Newington ward in Southwark since May 2022.

Natasha Ennin  ©
Natasha Ennin ©

She is also a cabinet member for Community Safety and Neighbourhoods. She is active in the local community and has been leading activities through the Southwark Black Parents Forum.

 

Jason Ochere

Jason Ochere has been a Labour councillor in the St Giles ward in Camberwell, Southwark since May 2018.

Jason Ochere ©
Jason Ochere ©

Born and raised in Southwark, has championed local issues around business, jobs, planning, serious youth violence, the environment, and scrutiny of council decisions.


He is a cabinet member for jobs, business, and town centres, and one of the council of governors at South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.

 

Join us in the next post where we will be profiling British Ghanaian MPs who have left politics.



This article is an original piece written by AKADi Magazine. The contents of this page cannot be reproduced without permission.

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