To a Christian Preacher and Teacher, and Brother in Christ

“.... Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.... They will rest from their labour, for their deeds will follow them.”

When we first met some 55 years ago (1965), Prof was a Class Leader at Kaneshie Methodist Church and one of the founding leaders of the Kaneshie Town Fellowship of the Scripture Union, and I was a ministerial student at the Trinity College, Legon.

Our common membership of the Scripture Union bonded us together. Our friendship was further strengthened when, in October 1966, he, Rt. Rev. Maclean Kumi and I became classmates pursuing our first university degree in the Study of Religions, at the University of Ghana, Legon. The notable feature about this is that Joshua, being a much disciplined person, spent the first two years outside campus, pursuing the course while serving as a Civil Servant in Ghana’s Parliament and commuting from his Kaneshie residence. He relocated to campus in the final year and excellently finished his course. After obtaining his Master’s degree, he joined the University of Ghana as a Lecturer and, by dint of hard work, rose through the ranks to become a Professor.

All who came into contact with him will confirm that he had a pleasant, quiet and gentle voice, was humble, unassuming or modest, compassionate, kind and approachable. Above all, Joshua was a faithful husband, a responsible father and a proud son of no mean a city of Ada.

Joshua will, undoubtedly, be remembered and commended for his acknowledged great contribution to the cause of evangelical Christianity in and outside Ghana. In many ways, Joshua served well: his family, country, home city of Ada, and above all the body of his Lord Jesus Christ, the Church.

Joshua is already resting peacefully in his Lord, and any prayer in that regard should be one of thanksgiving, rather than a supplication. Shalom to Miriam, the children and all of the larger family of Joshua. Sleep well, Brother Josh, until we meet on the Resurrection Morning.

“O then what raptured greetings on Canaan’s happy shore
What knitting severed friendships up where partings are no more;
Then eyes with joy shall sparkle that brimmed with tears of late,
Orphans no longer fatherless, nor widows desolate”

(MHB 828:3).