On Wednesday morning, 22nd January, 2020, we were hit with a terrible news. Our benefactor and mentor, Professor Joshua N Kudadjie who hugely shaped our view on life, work, and many other things, has passed away.

Prof, to us, your exit was so abrupt: God knew that you did not deserve the pain that awaited you had you stayed on. Though our hearts are heavy as we pay this tribute to you, we will not cry anymore, because you are gone, but smile because of the beautiful memories we have of you. Proverbs 10:7 says, “The memory of a good person is a blessing.” We will hold onto that forever. We are immensely grateful.

The intellectual world would talk about your greatness, but we will sing your love of family, friends and all God’s children. We have never met someone as equally impressive, smart and grounded as Professor J N Kudadjie. It is not that common at this stage of our careers to have professors who shape our intellect, interest, and life in general. But our benefactor and mentor did that.

While we were originally brought together for work, we soon began to learn from his views and perspectives and his wealth of knowledge. That will always be fundamental for our understand­ing of the world. For those of us who knew him, he will live on in our minds and in our hearts and continue to help us conduct our business and our lives with honor and integrity.

Professor Kudadjie was such a wonderful person to work with. Prof, you led by example; you never required any sacrifice from any of us that you were not yourself willing to give. Indeed before you required anything of us, you had yourself done many times more. The admiration and appreciation of the unique life you chose to live will forever inhabit the hearts of many of this generation, even unto the coming generations. Indeed, all of us will miss his ready smile and helpful attitude. He was always giving compli­ments or a helping hand to his staff. He made sure we knew we were appreciated and we are truly going to miss him.

Anyone who was close enough to Prof. would remember that he was meticulous, and guided by principle rather than by expediency or the desire for selfish gain. He was cautious and not given to doing things just for momentary pleasure or relief. Rather, he was governed by the proverbial wisdom of not trying to pick things beyond one’s reach and that of cutting one’s coat according to the size of one’s cloth; in other words, not living beyond one’s means. Prof was driven by the virtues of self-reliance and modesty. He would rather be deprived and go without some comfort than cheat for personal gain or accept favours that to him would put a burden on others. He was contented with his lot. He was unyielding and refused to just follow the crowd.

He was a boss, a teacher, a mentor, and a con­fidant, and most of all a friend. He touched our lives in so many ways. We have been impressed by his passion for integrity, self-respect and self-esteem in all situations, just as we were impressed by his sense of consistency, humil­ity, respect for others, his patience, and how he corrects in love when you make mistakes. Prof knew how to correct you without you feeling embarrassed and we have loved him so much for this particular character trait.

We were impressed, too, by his genuine interest in the welfare of his staff and subordinates; his openness to good ideas and suggestions from staff and subordinates; his fatherly love and respect for his staff and subordinates, his motivation and encouragement of his staff and subordinates; his strong drive to meet the sublime academic and moral objectives of the Methodist University College Ghana; his clear understanding of the job to be done for the University College and the best way to do it; his incalculable, inestimable, dedicated service to the University College from its inception and foundation would forever be cherished and remembered.

Finally Prof, we are also impressed by your sub­mission to the Lord, and to glorify God for the power of prayer, love, and patience, and to testify to the truth of Christ’s proclamation:
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never die. No one can snatch them away from me. Amen (John 10:27-28)

Such a life – guided by principle, modesty, integ­rity, self-reliance, loyalty, a determination to be oneself and to be contented with one’s own, however humble, genuinely seeking the welfare of others and above all a proper sense of the fear of God – is worth celebrating and learning from.

Prof, you carved your name on hearts, not tomb­stones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you. You affected people of all ages, you contributed in changing lives, you shared experiences and to us, you were an experience.
Lessons we learnt from you, advice we got from you, we promise to keep. You were true to your friends, but truer to your principles.

May the good Lord who gave you so open a generous heart reward you abundantly. Rest in Perfect Peace.