Today marks the anniversary of National Holocaust Memorial Day. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Nazi Concentration Camps in Europe. It is pertinent that we reflect today on the tragedy that was the Holocaust and continue to remember the innocent lives that were taken.
This month, I signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment and pledge to remember the six million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered in the Holocaust and speak out against all forms of antisemitism.
Photo of Abena Oppong-Asare MP signing the Book of Commitment:
Social Media post by Abena Oppong-Asare MP commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day 2025:
Today marks Holocaust Memorial Day.
We must remember the six million Jewish people who were murdered in the Holocaust and speak out against all forms of antisemitism.
https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/25.01.21-Abena-Oppong-Asare-Book-of-Commitment-Holocaust-Memorial-Day-2025-square.jpg13791379Abena Oppong-Asare MPhttps://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SM-Logo-3.pngAbena Oppong-Asare MP2025-01-27 08:25:002025-01-27 09:31:34Holocaust Memorial Day 2025
I am delighted to announce the successful conclusion of my Christmas Card Competition 2024 for Erith and Thamesmead.
This annual competition invites schools from across our constituency to take part. The theme for this year was “What makes Erith and Thamesmead a fun place?” As always, I would like to thank our fantastic students across the constituency who illustrated designs that show what they feel makes our constituency the fun place it is. This included parks, open spaces, shops, and local landmarks.
The artwork was assessed by a panel of judges, and I used the winning design as my Christmas Card this year, which was sent to over 1000 local people, businesses, and community groups. I also sent my card to the Prime Minister as well as many of my colleagues in the Houses of Parliament.
As has been the case in previous years we had a fantastic turnout from our enthusiastic students with many great designs being sent in. I would like to thank the schools, teachers, and parents who dedicated time to help organise the competition.
Congratulations to this year’s winner, Vera, aged 10, from St Thomas a Becket Primary School. You can see me photographed with Vera, her winning published card and her Head Teacher Mrs Cooper.
Abena visiting this year’s winner, Vera, at St Thomas a Becket Primary School
In Vera’s description of her design, she wrote.
“I chose to draw this picture because whenever I go to Erith, I love to see the bright patterns on all the fish. I decided to start improving my art and create something special; I made a drawing based on Christmas. I am very proud of the art I have created from my artistic imagination, and I hope you will like it too.”
It is safe to say not only did we like it but I and the rest of the constituency absolutely loved it!
It was a pleasure visiting St Thomas a Becket Primary School, too. Many students asked me brilliant questions about my political career and journey. It is reassuring to know we have students in our constituency who, despite their youth, have a great interest in Politics.
Attached here is me meeting the Speaker of the House of Commons. He was impressed by the high quality of the design and put it on display in his office!
Abena presenting the winning design to the Speaker of the House of Commons
With special thanks to the sponsors of my card who backed this year’s competition – including Edible Oils Limited, Manak Solicitors, Lumbini Grocery, Aum Trading Wholesale, Red Lion Noodle Bar and Greenwich Mummies Forum.
Last month, I was delighted to join Cllr Jit Ranabhat, the Mayor of Greenwich, in a visit to two local temples – Pashupatinath Temple and Greenwich Hindu Mandir.
It was great to meet so many local activists and members of the Greenwich Nepalese community as we visited these two important places of faith in our community.
As I said at the time, I was incredibly grateful for the warm welcome and the blessings given to me during my visit.
Thank you to the management committees at the Temples for hosting me and to the Royal Borough of Greenwich Nepalese Society and the Greenwich Mummies Forum for their hospitality.
Social Media Post on 28 July 2024:
It was great to meet with community activists yesterday with @JitRanabhat. I am so grateful for your welcome and blessings.
https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/27.07.24-Visit-to-Hindu-Temples-3.jpg12222048Abena Oppong-Asare MPhttps://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SM-Logo-3.pngAbena Oppong-Asare MP2024-08-09 17:47:002024-08-20 13:26:03Visiting Temples in Erith and Thamesmead with the Mayor of Greenwich
It was lovely to be at Parkfest at Bostall Gardens last Sunday with the Mayor of Greenwich, Cllr Jit Ranabhat, and Cllr Ann-Marie Cousins.
Great to meet so many families and local businesses there and I want to thank Bostall Gardens Friends Group for organising such a great community event.
I want to thank the Erith & Woolwich Kabaddi Club for organising this year’s Erith and Woolwich Kabaddi Tournament on Winns Common.
I attended last year and so it was great to come again and to be joined by the Mayor of Greenwich, Cllr Jit Ranabhat, and Cllr Baljeet Singh Gill, on the day and see so many fans of the sport there too.
It was wonderful to attend the opening of the new Gurdwara in Belvedere with the local Sikh community. Celebrating the important work that the Sikh community carry out and learning more about their faith was very special.
https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GOV6E6sXIAAkBzb.jpeg15362048Calum Pincheshttps://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SM-Logo-3.pngCalum Pinches2024-06-10 14:09:092024-07-12 12:19:31Opening of the new Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) in Belvedere
It was great to attend the Erith Town FC annual presentation evening and hand out well-earned awards to our local players, as well as recognising the massive amount of work that occurs behind the scenes.
Grassroots football is one of the key pillars of local communities, so celebrating their success is vital.
https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GOWreOHW8AASGIm.png773794Calum Pincheshttps://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SM-Logo-3.pngCalum Pinches2024-06-08 11:00:002024-07-12 14:11:12Erith Town Football Club Presentation Evening
This month, I thoroughly enjoyed attending the Africa Day of Celebration organised by Active Horizons. I was honoured to support an organisation who do so much to foster leadership and promote the voices of the African diaspora.
https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Active-Horizons-2.jpeg13662048Calum Pincheshttps://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SM-Logo-3.pngCalum Pinches2024-06-06 11:00:002024-07-12 14:37:11Active Horizons Africa Day of Celebration
Every year, the Politics Home magazine recognises 100 Women in Westminster who are leading the way in politics and public life. It was an honour to be recognised as one of the hundred women making a difference, and to be selected amongst other women trailblazers. You can read more about this event here.
https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/93592548-a3b0-43c6-b5c6-d72f640a876c.jpeg17062560Calum Pincheshttps://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SM-Logo-3.pngCalum Pinches2024-06-05 14:46:002024-07-12 14:46:45Recognised as one of the 100 Women in Westminster
Many thanks to NHS Confederation for inviting me to speak to their annual Mental Health Conference in Leeds on the urgent need to invest in our mental health services.
It was also important to learn about the innovative approaches taken at Leeds Synergi to tackle ethnic inequalities in mental health.
