Feel the gentle breeze whisper secrets across the Yaa Adu-Ampomabrug. This bridge isn’t just concrete and steel. It’s a testament to a remarkable woman. Nana Yaa Adu-Ampoma a Ghanaian immigrant who tirelessly championed economic empowerment for women. She was the first African woman on the Amsterdam Zuidoost municipal council.
Before it was named in her honour this bridge was simply known as the Reigersbospadbrug. It’s a relatively new structure built between 2020 and 2021. It spans a pond in the Nelson Mandelapark. The Yaa Adu-Ampomabrug connects two parts of Amsterdam-Zuidoost. Imagine the lives it has already touched. People walking cycling crossing from one side of the neighbourhood to the other.
Nana Yaa’s legacy goes far beyond the length of this bridge. She founded Stichting Sikaman. This organization supported Ghanaians in the Netherlands. It was crucial in uniting the community. She played a vital role in the aftermath of the 1992 El Al plane crash. She helped locate missing people. She organized support for those who lost their homes. She was a connector. A bridge-builder in the truest sense.
Her work extended to helping immigrant women start their own businesses. She believed that financial independence was key to empowering them. The District Administrator Vayhishta Miskin perfectly described her. She said Yaa Adu-Ampoma built bridges within and beyond the Ghanaian community.
The Yaa Adu-Ampomabrug is 125 meters long and six meters wide. It’s a modern steel structure designed by Mecanoo architects. The bridge’s opening in August 2021 marked more than just a new pathway. It was a celebration of a life dedicated to community and empowerment. A fitting tribute to a remarkable woman who built bridges for others. A bridge that truly embodies connection.