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| Baby Fred |
From cradle to grave,
the man always seemed to be in a sort of hurry; always in a hurry to meet
deadlines and wash his hands off assignments, showing seriousness in nearly
everything. Perhaps, this was so he could complete the earthly assignments in
readiness for the higher calling.
And so it was almost unsurprising when he
finally exited the earth in the manner he did; probably in a haste to go meet
his Maker. He needed no violent hand, no debilitating situation, and no
distress to cut him off this troubled and sinful world. He exited as if he had
been waiting for that fateful day; just to take that eventual stroll into a new
life in eternity. But as Irving Berlin put it, “the song is ended but the
melody will linger on.”
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| The man, Frederick Russel Angmortey Adjase-Kodjo aka Sir Fess |
FREDERICK RUSSEL ANGMORTEY ADJASE-KODJO was
the first male child of his parents and so the celebration that welcomed him
into the world was considered momentous but expected. On that Saturday April 3,
1971, here in Odumase-Krobo, God blessed Peter Angmor Adjase-Kodjo and
Vida Koryo Adjase-Kodjo with a bubbly baby boy that would grow into an
unyielding, courageous and hardworking young man; a fitting addition to the
crop of gallant men of the Angmortsedi stock of the Suisi Division of Manya
Krobo.
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| Growing up |
By 1973/74, young Freddy
had started school at the Odumase Day Care Centre before moving on to Akro L.A
Primary School, Odumase-Krobo in the 1976/77 academic year.
In 1980, he was moved to
the Presbyterian Training College Demonstration School, Akropong-Akwapim when
the father ‘Peter Kodjo’ was transferred to the famed Presbyterian Boys Middle
Boarding School at Akropong (Salem), from another of its kind, the Presby Boys
Middle Boarding School, Adukrom. He finally completed Middle School at Kpong
Presby in 1987 obtaining the Middle school Leaving Certificate.
Desirous of pursuing a
career in Accountancy, he entered King David Commercial College at
Odumase-Krobo and sat for the Royal Society of Arts (RSA II) Accounting
Examinations in 1990.
Thereafter, he had a
working stint with Rudan Engineering Limited where he obtained on-the-job
training in Surveying and Mapping. At Rudan, his intelligence and love for
field work was brought to bear and he was said to have grasped the rudiments of
Surveying & Mapping with cheeky ease after just a few projects.
Then came a career
diversion in 1996, when he switched over to welding craft practice and
subsequently got some training from one at Ho. It was during the period at Ho
in 1998, that he was involved in a fatal accident that could easily have
changed the course of his life. At the time, we estimated that event to be the
worst thing to have ever happened to him. But God saved and preserved him for
another nineteen years, perhaps for future assignments. We are rather grateful
to God; that He deems it fit to call him at His own time and in such seamless
manner.
From the early 2000s, he
set out again into Painting & Decoration and set up Zogli Painting &
Artworks. He has thus been engaged actively in this business undertaking a
number of projects both in and outside town. By this time, he had become a
“jack of all trades and master of all”.
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| Fred being baptised/confirmed by Rev. Nartey Maukle (1991) |
He was baptized and
confirmed into the Christian faith at Presbyterian Church of Ghana,
Odumase-Krobo in 1991 by Rev. Nartey Maukle. He remained a Presbyterian till
his sudden demise. Lately, he joined the new Congregation of Israel at
Odumase-Krobo where he had since remained a member.
His whole life was one
of modesty and simplicity. He had no time for excesses of any kind. He
had not been ill prior to his passing. On that Friday, 17th March,
2017, he was only returning home after his usual trips to town when he suddenly
fell unconscious. Family and friends subsequently rushed him to the St. Martins
Hospital, Agormanya only for him to slip away that very night. He literally
strolled into eternity.
The mere mortals that we
are, some are wont to think and classify this call as
all too sudden with many lingering questions. But “His thoughts are not our
thoughts, neither are His ways our ways” says Isaiah 55:8.
Whichever way one looks at it, the Holy Scriptures still offers the best
response to any query; “For none of us liveth to himself and no man
dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we
die, we die unto the Lord; whether we live therefore , or die, we are the
Lord’s” – Rom. 14:8.
For the physical loss,
today, he is being mourned by a son, a chip of the old block, Owen Angmor
Adjase-Kodjo, six siblings; Gloria Maureen Naa Oyoe Quartey, Victoria Doeyo
Ampadu-Boateng, Millicent Estella Angmorkwor Adjase-Kodjo, Herman Ablade
Adjase-Kodjo, Henking Nyumu-Teye Anyingmor Adjase-Kodjo and Gustav Korli
Adjase-Kodjo, nephew and nieces, a multitude of cousins, other kinsmen and
friends. We thank the Lord for the gift of this son.
Freddy, you have taken
on a new life and we cannot agree more with Richard Bach when he said “What the
caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly.” Fare the
well into the new life in the bosom of the Lord.
THERE
GOES GO MY DAD
You personally held my
hand and took me to school at the beginning of last term. I returned home only
to meet your absence; an absence that is so deep and difficult to understand.
It was a rude shock that has shut down a part of me and that will remain so for
a long time to come. It is almost time to go back to school and the effect of
your loss is becoming more real.
Everybody can go and
pretend all is well but for me a “lone ranger”, the world will
never be the same.
The pain is deep but
life must continue. I trust that God will direct my path.
Owen Angmor Adjase-Kodjo
FAREWELL,
SON
Death
makes no conquest of this conqueror, for now he lives in fame though not in
life. ---William Shakespeare
You remained tied to our
apron strings for most part of your formative years and were so fond of you as
the first son. You grew up into a very a courageous and hardworking young man
and the principal organizer of your siblings and you demonstrated maturity and
wisdom in that regard.
You were reliable and
humble to a fault. You made many significant impressions on us with your great
qualities. Your commitment to peace reflected in your abhorrence of unnecessary
arguments, long conversations and conflict.
You placed your time and
energy at our disposal and for the benefit of the entire family. Your humble
outlook on life translated into your overly simple lifestyle. Your great
measure of humility, bravery and your knack for action rather than long
speeches enabled you to execute many tasks to perfection. Your words were
always motivational and you would hardly discourage or dampen anybody’s spirit
or efforts at pursuing a goal.
To your credit and to
your honour, you painstakingly supervised and coordinated all the family’s
major projects over the years including farming, lumbering and more importantly
our building project which we now call home. Even though your physical presence
has been lost to us forever, the memorable works and moments with us will build
an impressive eternal monument.
Reflecting on the
shortness and uncertainty of human life and the fading nature of all
enjoyments, we thank God that you lived for so long. We agree with George. S.
Paton when he said “It is foolish to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should
thank God that such men lived.”
Fare well, Etse
Angmortey Zogli.
---Parents
DAYS
WITH OUR BROTHER, OUR FOND REFLECTIONS
Rest gently, my brother
You and I were the
forerunners, given the sequence of our birth and we played with distinction the
leadership role that came with our positions, taking care of and nurturing our
younger siblings into the refined adults that they have become.
You were the torchbearer
and the man of the house. It’s sad you are exiting now and thus altering the
many plans up our sleeves. The loss is big, and coping with it remains a tough
task.
Do rest gently my brother.
Gloria
Maureen Naa-Oyoe Quartey
Shock so overwhelming
I came right after you
in terms of birth and so the bond was tight, as should be expected. This made
you overly protective of me especially during our school days. You were
literally my shield and that gave me a sense of security anytime we were away
from home and together.
We soon turned adults
and as the leader of the team and the man of the house, you led the
way and we only comfortably followed your footprint, knowing who was at the
helm of affairs. My pain now is that you gave me no sign that you were exiting
anytime soon; it was too swift and the shock’s overwhelming. Your departure was
too swift.
I have had to find solace in 2 Corinthians 5:1- “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands”. It is my belief that you are with the Lord in this ETERNAL HOUSE.
Rest and rest gently ye wetse kpakpako
Victoria Doeyo Kodjo Ampadu-Boateng
God be with you till we meet again
My heart aches and my mind wanders; I am
wondering what to say.
In my current state of disorientation, I can
only find expression in William G. Tomer’s lyrics:
“God be with you till we meet again;
By his counsels guide, uphold you;
With his sheep securely fold you.
God be with you till we meet again”
Go Rest in Peace, Awetse
Millicent Estella Angmorkuor Adjase-Kodjo
When “sleep” sweeps away
dreams…
In every conversation we
had, there was always a word or two meant to encourage and inspire us your
siblings to aspire to higher heights.
Your cardinal philosophy was that
everything under the sun was achievable and possible and that one should by all
means make an effort towards accomplishing a task, however daunting it was.
Rightly it might be said that long conversation and/or argument were not your
thing but your few words were full of light and guidance.
I grieve for
the words left unsaid and the deeds left undone; for our many plans and for all
the work in progress. God’s finger touched you and you slept. Good night my
brother--- Herman Ablade Adjase-Kodjo (Foso).
The Sad Tale
What was to pass as a
usual week-end visit to town (Odumase-Krobo) ended in a rather sad tale- you
sneaked away right in my arms without any prior sign of ill-health, at least
none that was perceptible and I could only look on helplessly.
The terrible scenes of
that 15 to 20 minutes drama have been playing in my mind ever since-a hurting
reminder about how our years of bonding as brothers was rudely cut.
Today, I find myself
searching the crowds for your face to no avail and now I am wondering how to
bear the feeling of never getting to share the familial love and moments with you
again.
You are so hard to be
without, and it remains a task how to move on from this point. God be
my helper in this regard.
Henking
Nyumu-Teye Anyingmor Adjase-Kodjo
The pacesetter
You set the pace, blazed
the trail, untied the knots, and made life quite simple for me almost to your
disadvantage.
I keep crying your name in the hope of a response but the only
reply I get is the frail echo of my own voice.
In ceaseless manner flows the
numerous golden and privileged moments shared with you, and these are indelibly
inscribed in my heart, mind and spirit. Go forth to the Lord in the spirit and
speed with which you left us, SIR FESS.
Gustav
Narh-Korli Adjase-Kodjo
I feel lost
So I see you no more?
Hear from you no more?
Not here anymore?
This is the pain
That gnaws at my heart
everyday
Uncle, I lost you and
now I feel I lost myself.
Good bye.
Peter
Atteh Kodjo
God has you, Uncle
Freddy
I remember very well our
very first and only painting work with you. You said we should observe and ask
questions- the mark of a great leader. It resonates in my mind as though it was
just yesterday.
You were of few words but on the occasions when you opened up,
the wisdom that came forth was vast. Uncle Fred, you are a figure hard to replace.
God bless you so much and we still consider ourselves very blessed to have
spent this short time with you.
You admonished us to be strong and keep our
composure in times of adversity because we didn’t know who was watching and
drawing inspiration from us. But on this occasion of your physical departure
from us, tears have sapped our strength. God has you, that’s our consolation.
Miss you already, uncle.
Rest in Peace.
Paul
Lawer Kodjo
I am sad
I grew up to know Grand
Paa gave me the name Lady Zheng (pronounced Shin) out of affection and that is
how you have addressed me till now. Anytime you mentioned it, it gave me fond
memories of my early days and echoed the tenderly love with which I was raised.
Your room was my
playground; and your gadgets such as TV set/remote, phone etc were literally my
“toys” with which I played. Now your room is locked and the story is different. I
am sad.
Florence
Audrey Doe Ossom-Nyarko
I won’t mind you again
!!!
Uncle Freddy!!! You
didn’t tell me you were leaving. I arrived only to realize you were long gone. I
won’t mind you again.
Elliot
Kwame Ampadu-Boateng (Baby-Gold)
‘Angmortsedi
We’ Bids You Farewell, Angmortey Zogli
“Strive
not, my soul, for an immortal life but make the most of what is possible.”
Pythian Odes, 518-438BC
You were christened
Angmortey Zogli for a purpose and you lived up to it. You were the epitome of a
man; a true man; a man from the crown of your head to the sole of your feet; in
that you exhibited hard work, valour and maturity required of a man at all
times.
Lately, it had become so
refreshing to see an impressive corps of young men growing up across the entire
stretch of Angmortsedi We. And this gives us hope that this budding generation
of youth were only bidding their time to take up the leadership mantle when we
the elders eventually join the ancestors ahead of you. This was not to be; God
decided that you take the lead. Who are we to question His actions?
You were among the
leaders of this gallant army particularly as the captain of our proud
traditional (Obonu) drummers. You were leading the crusade of rejuvenating our
culture through the performing arts. This role, you were playing with
distinction till you breathed your last. You have impacted the younger ones
with the values of hardwork and bravery and we know they will keep the torch
aflame.
You crossed over
peacefully and we believe you are resting in the Lord. Angmortey Zogli,
Angmortsedi We bids you farewell.
A parting message
Freddy was a very
reliable young man; always at my service. He was always available anytime for
my errands and numerous trips. He would quickly rally his men (Obonu drummers)
for my assignments and so he literally became my “Obonu Matse” and for many of my
colleague chiefs.
It is worth mentioning
that on that fateful day, a few hours before he passed on, he came over to my
end and took my charges through drumming practice; a project he was undertaking
which was fast bearing good fruits. Today, we can count a number of budding
Obonu drummers who have undergone his training.
We have lost a friend
and a teacher.
Freddy, Oke nyemi
saminya.
Djasetse Lartey Djabatey
III
A part of me has shut
down
You were quite older
than us but you always came down to our level and mingled freely. You related
to me as though we were co-equals. The mutual respect was of the highest
rating.
Back in the late 80s when you came over to Klumihe-Akontaa to spend
some time with us, you never regarded yourself higher than anybody. You integrated
easily though you may have been regarded as a ‘city boy’.
I consider myself as
one of your all-time closest pals and we spoke about anything and everything
freely. You were hardworking, simple but firm. Freddy, my big brother,
rest well in the Lord.
----Victor Angmor
(Lallas)
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