Dear Editor,
I have only recently learned of the passing of Sister Brenda Koama, the widow of Ohene Koama, who was the coordinator of the Centre of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) in the late 1970s, located in Tiger Bay, Georgetown.
Ohene Koama was assassinated on November 18th, 1979 by members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF). He was the first WPA activist to be assassinated in the aftermath of the great civil rebellion of 1979. The sudden death of her husband was a shocking blow to the young Brenda Koama who had to single-handedly raise four children, three boys, and an infant daughter. It was no easy task, Sister Brenda worked hard and educated her children. Today they are serving the Guyanese nation in various capacities.
Against all odds, her commitment to the Guyanese struggle continued. She became one of the founding members of the Women Against Terror (WAT), a group of courageous Guyanese women who stood up defiantly against the tyrannical Burnham (PNC) dictatorship. On one occasion they were tear-gassed and locked in a prison van.
In reflecting on the life of Sister Brenda Koama, we also remember our departed mothers and sisters, those valiant women of WAT who stood in the frontline in that historic junction, who touched our hearts and encouraged us to carry on, to never give up the struggle to make Guyana a better place for all.
Surely, generations of Guyanese will continue the struggle to bring an end to this long night of the dictators.
Our deepest condolences to the family and relatives of Sister Brenda Koama.
Yours faithfully
Desmond Alli
(General Secretary Guyana United
Artists GUA)
