"Beloved" Pawtucket Councilwoman Amponsah Passes Away

"Beloved" Pawtucket Councilwoman Amponsah Passes Away

Pawtucket City Councilwoman Ama Amponsah has passed away. 

Amponsah, who was the owner of Ama’s Variety and Mini Mart, represented the city’s 5th District, after being elected to office in 2020. 

The seat had been previously held by Meghan Kallman, who ran for and was elected to the Rhode Island State Senate in 2020.

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Community activist Khrystyne Bento shared the news on Monday. 

“My sympathies to her family and the entire community our community has lost a superwoman,” said Bento. “I can’t believe I’m having to share this news.” 

Councilwoman Melissa DaRosa said Amponsah was “beloved” in the community. “It didn’t matter the problem you had — she would help you,” said Da Rosa. “If you didn’t know her, you missed out."

Mayor Don Grebien shared his condolences on Monday. 

"The City of Pawtucket is deeply saddened to hear the news of Councilor ‘Mama Ama’ Amponsah’s passing," said Grebien.

"She was a staple of the 5th District and our community since the 1980s. Mama Ama was revered in the community for decades where she would welcome everyone at Ama’s Variety and Mini Mart with a smile," he continued. "She honorably and faithfully served as the Sergeant at Arms for the Pawtucket City Council for close to a decade prior to serving on the Pawtucket City Council, where she served on the Finance Committee, Animal Control Committee, License Committee, Substance Abuse/Non-Violence Committee, and the Ad Hoc Committee on Economic Development & Neighborhood Improvement."

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to her loving husband Isaac, three children, and family," said Grebien. "Our thoughts and prayers are with them during these trying times."

“She was just a great neighborhood resource and community leader,” said former City Council President Henry Kinch. “It wasn’t about being an elected official. It was her store — when you went into that store, everybody and their brother was in there. And she held court.

“It’s a major loss for the city and west side,” said Kinch.