“Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love, the fellowship of kindred mind is like to that above… when we asunder part, it gives inward pain; But we shall still be joined in heart and hope to meet again.”
(G.B 77:1, 4)

Introduction

The Very Rev Prof Joshua Narteh Kudadjie played the role of a brother, uncle, mother and father to the Siameh family at Kotobabi. He was a first cousin to our mother, Ethel Dada Kudadjie of blessed memory (2018). We affectionately called him ‘Tseko Joe’ (meaning Uncle Joe). To us, he was the best uncle in the whole world, apologies to all others.

He was very close to our family. When some of us were growing as kids, from about five to seven years old, we heard the name Tseko Joe often mentioned in the house. Our mother would call him “ye befono” (my white man or European). That expression was Mami’s name for him among the elderly, especially. Perhaps she saw ahead of time, the trips he would make, by virtue of his work, to Europe and other parts of the world later in his life.

We once asked our mother the reason for his closeness to us, among all else. She explained that he once stayed with our family briefly near the Tip Toe gardens area, when he came to Accra from Ada to further his education in the mid- 1950s. Tseko Joe, himself, testified to this in tributes he wrote in honour of our parents, thus: “As boys and girls, I and my siblings were always glad when Auntie Dada visited our home at Ada Foah Beach from Accra, because she always checked on our well-being, spoke some kind words to us and left some gift with our father, her Uncle. I was thrilled when my father disclosed, out of the blue, one day that I would go to Accra to live with cousin, Auntie Dada, and her husband to study at the Accra Technical Institute. I joined my elder sister and her husband, Mr. Michael S. K. Siameh (the Dangme concept is more of sister than just cousin) in January 1955.” That time, three of us were yet to be born.

Role Model

Tseko Joe was our good example, pride and standard to look up to in our academic life, character and behaviour, above all else as a Christian. We can say without doubt that Tseko Joe, our uncle was an epitome of who a Christian is or should be. Physically, you saw him as a real gentleman, an embodiment of gentleness: he was very courteous, and his speech, actions and inactions all portrayed it.

Caring

Tseko Joe was a very caring man. He was always in touch with us as a family. He made time to visit not only on festive occasions, like Christmas and New Year, but also at other unexpected times. Once he was around, he would come down to your level. He was never ashamed to identify with you, irrespective of location of your residence. Whatever we ate or drank, he would eat and drink. When given food he would request for traditional kitchen stool and table and request some of us to join him to have communal eating.

He was interested in our baking and drink innovations whenever he came around. He would taste it and give commendations. He was part of our educational advancement. He gave counsel to each of us to direct our choices or to make a change with good reasons, which worked. In other cases, he would encourage you to go ahead with whatever course was being pursued. He was always happy when he saw some of us qualifying from rural schools to the sixth form. He gave all the needed encouragement. In situations where there was a critical financial need, he would support as much as he could.

On every trip overseas, he came back with parcels of gift to us, even up to the point when we started working. He made time during his overseas trips to visit some family members in London and Nairobi. Those were some of his activities depicting his caring nature.

Family Unity

By his commitment to family meetings, we learnt the need for family unity, first with his unit family and the extended one. He never visited without his wife by his side, except on extremely few occasions. His wife, Madam Miriam Kudadjie saw herself as a Kudadjie and demonstrated support to Tseko Joe to make his work flow.

Long before he became a Rev Minister, there was nothing he did without leading us through prayer and God’s word. His joy was to see us progress in life and be dedicated Christians. Tseko Joe, we cannot forget how you led the marriage teams, to ask the hand of wives for the men and sawto it that the marriage of the women was properly contracted as well. You left a footprint of practical Christian living behind for us to emulate. Though gentle, you frown on wrong doing, with the aim of correcting it for its betterment.

A great tree has fallen from among us. We expected you to stay on with us for a while. Your departure, though peaceful, was a surprise to us, having met with the Kudadjie and Siameh families at Kotobabi the previous week, only to be told the following week that you were gone to glory. The Lord might be saying to us, you have fought the good fight and finished your race. He therefore, called you back home to rest and for your crown of righteousness. That is our consolation.

We shall miss you dearly, but we believe, as we hold on the torch and flame of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and His Kingdom lifestyle in our hearts and live in his will, we shall meet again in the Lord’s kingdom.

Tseko Joe, wo O wafase o me nge Kotobabi ke, “Mo ya wo nge wa nyomtse Yesu hedzomi mi.”

Rest in the peace of our Lord Jesus.