Dada, we have been so overwhelmed by the events of the last few months. You left without much warning; we did not all have enough time to say goodbye. However, we have taken heart because we know where you are. We know we will see you again, very soon. Your dedication to God our Father ensured that you made us aware very early on in our lives-- of life eternal, and the salvation work that Jesus did for us. As a result, we will see you again.
We have each played over all that you have been to us, individually and collectively. You were a soft-spoken man, a loving father, a hard-working and disciplined man, and, above all, approachable. You were selfless, sometimes, so selfless that you had us worried. Your quiet disposition was often mistaken for worldly meekness, yet in that quiet disposition was a strength that was soon obvious to many. In your gentleness, you remained a firm disciplinarian and intolerant of character that was unbecoming of Christ. To that end, we often heard the words “a pee gya we” meaning “that is not done.” These words followed gentle ways of correcting our behavior. Whether it was because we disobeyed, willfully or not, we learned quickly not to have to hear those words and see the disappointment on your face. Through the steadfastness that you and Ma cultivated, we are who we today because of your immense love and care for us.
Da, you loved to teach, and you took the opportunity to do that with great detail and patience. Among other things, you would patiently teach and remind us over and over again how to pronounce our Dangme names correctly with the right tone and nasal sound.
You taught us many life principles—integrity, persistence, doing things well and completely, self-sufficiency tempered with reliance on God, courtesy, consideration of others, to name a few. We remember so vividly a conversation you had with Ma and with us in the kitchen at No. 5 Legon Hill when we were in our early teens. It was very important to you that we all learnt to manage our future households well. To that end, we were each to be responsible (on a rotational basis) for drafting the weekly list for the market to buy produce and to estimate how much of what to purchase, given the amount of money you gave. We learned how to budget from an early age because of you; we learned how to keep house and keep it well because of you. When we wanted to sleep in late, you would wake us up and tell us that in the village, daily chores are completed before dawn. While we protested that we had no need to be up that early, we soon learned the value of doing things early and well.
In our adult years, we saw more clearly what you were to your siblings, in-laws, nephews and nieces. You seemed to be on call all the time, but that was your nature. We now understand that it was your way of giving back, paying forward what God has done for you, with the hope that you would reach everyone for our Savior. You were the one to spearhead family events and meetings. In your zeal for perfection and accurate writing, you would edit all family obituaries, tributes and brochures before they are printed. You passed on information that was historically accurate and worth recovering. You encouraged us all to do the same for others. Now, we are doing it for you, with the help of others you have impacted, your many adopted children—although we could not help but ask of this daunting task—“Da, who will edit your biography for you??” “Who will edit your tributes??”
Many were the Sunday lunches that we spent either discussing the sermon from that morning or doing short bible studies (which we sometimes, as children, thought we could do without). Thank you for ignoring our schemes to get out of them and persisting through them all. As your responsibilities for other churches took on full force, these were reduced, but by then we had all developed a love for hearing God’s word expounded truthfully and biblically through these practices. We learned to be creative in seizing opportunities to recreate these times, using any and every chance we got to celebrate life together. Thank you, Dada. Thank you, Ma for your role in helping Da achieve his. We are very grateful.
We will always remember many of your sayings and admonishments. In particular, this one has and will continue to stay with us—“If it must be done, it must be done well.” We cannot help but wonder if you choose Done Well Insurance because this also became their motto when they were established. Regardless, it was so meaningful to you that for a quiet, simple and private person as you were, you were proud to display this motto on your car when the sticker was available.
Da, we are overwhelmed to know that this simple, quiet and gentle man has touched so many lives-- more than we can fathom. The hands and hearts that have been eager to give of their time and talents have been a source of comfort to us. This is your legacy, Da; we will carry it on, God being our helper.
Da, your life was a mission accomplished. We are grateful for your life. We find comfort in one of your favorite hymns, Methodist Hymn book (MHB 608). It has become our favorite as well:
Captain of Israel’s host and Guide
Of all who seek the land above
Beneath Thy shadows we abide
The cloud of Thy protecting love.
Our strength, Thy grace our rule Thy word
Our end the glory of the Lord.
By Thy unerring spirit led,
We shall not in the desert stray
We shall not full direction need
Nor miss our providential way
As far from danger as from fear
While love almighty love is near.
Rest in Perfect Peace, Da. We miss you. We will meet again.