Dr. Japhet Baidoo-1

Burial & Memorial Service By The Church of Pentecost Tanokrom Assembly Anto Community Football Park @ 8:30am ORDER OF SERVICE Part One Opening Prayer: Deacon Daniel Afful Chorus: Congregation File pass: Introduction of dignitaries Psalm 90:1-12 Bible Reading: Deacon Eric Donkor English: Miss. Elizabeth A. Ansah Akan: Prayer: Family Biography: Wiase amane dɔɔso o Song: Widow Tribute: Children Brothers and Sisters National Democratic Congress (NDC) The Church of Pentecost - Tanokrom Assembly Sermon: Ps. Daniel Antwi Adjei / Ps. Emmanuel Opoku Mensah Alter call (District pastor) (I.T.I Travelling Secretary) Offering Vote of thanks: Prayer for the bereaved family Announcement Part Two Procession to the cemetery Song Prayer Committal Prayer Benediction Conductor: Elder Philip Kobla Atinoto IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 1 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 2 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

GBRIOA PHY DR. JAPHET BAIDOO IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 3 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

Good people will be remembered as a blessing...\" Proverbs 10:7a (GNB) The late Dr. Japhet Baidoo, also known as Barima Ekow Panyin, was born at Anto in the Shama District, Western Region on 19th June, 1977, to Opanyin Kobina Bedu of blessed memory and Obaapanyin Ama Bedu. The parents were all peasant farmers. He was the fifth child of nine siblings comprising 7 boys and 2 girls, but a boy and a girl died at infancy. “He started his early education at Anto, but he and Master of Science (MSC in Disaster was moved to Takoradi to stay with Sarkoh Management) at the University of Cape family, so he continued his basic education at Coast, from May 2012 to August 2013. Mr. Young Christian Preparatory School in Takoradi. Japhet Baidoo, in his quest to climb higher In primary 1, his acedemic performance was so on the acedemic ladder, finally pursued good that, the teachers promoted him to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in primary 3 without any hesitation. Management at the Texila American University (TAU), in Disaster Management. He sat for the Common Entrance Examination In the year 2021, he was employed at and passed successfully when he was in Takoradi University - Safety Department, primary 5 in the year 1989. He gained admission as the Deputy Registrar in Charge of to Hunivalley Secondary School, where he did Safety that is where he was working until his O' Level. He continued to Fijai Secondary his unfortunate demise. School, and completed A' Level in the year 1996. He did his first statutory National Service at Dr. Japhet Baidoo, from 2006 to 2007, Tikobu Number 1 Primary School in Axim. worked at Kings Furniture Company Limited in Takoradi as the Marketing He proceeded to Takoradi Polytechnic for Manager, but he left and joined Barclays Higher National Diploma in Commercial Arts- Bank Ghana, Takoradi Branch, from 2007 Graphic Design Option. He did his second to 2008. National Service at Fijai Secondary School, Sekondi in the year 2005. He established and managed his first private business called JB Print Enterprise. He continued his education by pursuing two Dr. Japhet Baidoo, in the year 2009 programmes within the same period, thus an established his second business known as International Executive Masters in Business. Flobay Company Limited, and operated He took his education to another level by in both Takoradi and Accra. The obtaining Master of Science (MSC) in Oil and Company was into construction as well as Gas Management at University of Cape Coast, general goods and services. He was the from May 2014 to July 2015. Administration (IE Chief Executive Officer of the company. MBA, Strategy and Project Management) in Paris Graduate School of Management (PGSM) He started politics at Anto, and became France, from the year 2011 to 2013, the Secretary to the Anto branch of the NDC from the year 1995 to 1997. IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 4 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

At Anto, whilst helping his parents in their His hard work and selfless service in the team farming activities, he cultivated his personal fetched him the Western Regional Sugarcane Farm. He was a member of the Propaganda Secretary, now the Western Sugarcane Farmers Association of Anto & Regional Communication Officer of the Party, Shama District. It is worth mentioning here that, from 2005 to 2009.In the year 2009, the late H.E. because of his hardwork and dedication to the Professor John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills appointed Anto community as a whole, he was chosen as Dr. Japhet Baidoo as the Western Regional Co- the Secretary for Anto New Land Committee. ordinator (now Regional Director) for National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO). In the year 2005, he joined a group in Anto He established an EOC for the Region, and called Anto Aboso Student Union (ANABSU), helped over 400 people to gain employment and immediately became the Secretary to the into the Organization. Union, with time the members of the group saw how hardworking he was, and eventually In October 2014, he contested for the position elected him as the the President of the Union. of Western Regional NDC Organiser and won He organised series of quizzes for the students in massively. He worked hard and contributed to his electoral area. through ANABSU he the betterment of the NDC Party in the Shama established Anto/Aboso scholarship scheme in District, and also in the Western Region as a the year 2016 with a seed amount of Ghc 5000 whole. He loved the NDC Party, and he was which benefits the children in the electoral area very much concerned with all activities of the He was elected as the Chairman of the Anto Party. Branch of NDC, from 1997 to 2001. He was also the Ward 4 Coordinator for Anto Aboso Dr. Jephet Baidoo, was a Christian, and a Electoral Area as well. He contested for the staunch member of the Pentecost Church. He Office of Youth Organizer in the Shama left behind a wife, and seven (7) children. Constituency and won, so he was their Barima Ekow Panyin, thank you for your love, Organizer, from 2001 to 2005. support, kindness and inspiration. You will be sorely missed, you may be gone but not When he was at the Takoradi Polytechnic to forgotten, in our hearts we know you are resting pursue HND, he joined the NDC on campus, in eternal peace. and became the Tein President for two consecutive terms, that is 2003 and 2004. May you sleep peacefully In the year 2008, Dr. Japhet Baidoo was in the Bosom of your Maker! selected as the Secretary to the Special Campaign Team for the late H.E. Professor John Till we meet again! Evans Fiifi Atta Mills in the Western Region, as Amen well as the Campaign Manager for the Shama Constituency (both Parliamentary and General Elections). He rose to become a member of the Western Regional Communication Team for the National Democratic Congress in the year 2001. IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 5 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

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TRIBUTE BY CHILDREN ''None of us lives for himself only; none of us dies for Now to all of you witnesses present at our himself only. If we live it is for the Lord that we live, father's funeral ceremony, if you must miss any and if we die, it is for the Lord that we die, so whether place……. don't miss heaven; if you must miss we live or die, we belong to the Lord. (Romans 14: 7- any appointment………don't miss the rapture; 8) Amen! if you must miss any meal…….don't miss the last supper. Daddy, Where are you? The end is no more near, it's here. Where have you gone to without telling us? May God be with us all till we meet again Where can we find you? Why did you not tell us anything, even in your last either in our future or in Heaven. night before February 16, 2022? And to our Daddy, please rest well from all the Why didn't you find a way of blessing us before your stress of earthly life, and as part of the many departure, knowing we are still young and fragile? witnesses in heaven, cheer us up as we run the race of our lives. Why didn't you say good bye, Daddy? Rest Well, Daddy. Daddy, just a few months ago, you were very strong, you led the NDC regional organizers in giving a great victory to President Mahama and the MPs in the Western part of Ghana. Where is all that vitality and all that strength for life? Daddy, your silence is too difficult to bear. We knew a day like this would come but we did not know it would be so soon. You were the model father we knew. The first thing you instilled in us so strongly was cleanliness which is next to Godliness. This we hope to keep in the many years of our lives yet to come. You never discriminated among your biological and non-biological children. You reached out and cared for people. But that is the way of the mortal man, one minute he is a flower blossoming, so beautifully and so firm, the next minute, he withers away and never to be seen again. It is disheartening that we are no longer going to see you here on earth, and your plans for our future have been cut short, but we take consolation in the belief that the plans of our God cannot be cut short; we also take consolation in the belief that your extended family members will help our mothers to take good care of us; we again take consolation in the belief that both the Church of Pentecost and National Democratic Congress will ensure that we don't lack both spiritual and financial supports. IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 7 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

TRIBUTE BY MOTHER The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves I am however comfortable by God`s words that says(those who lives good live find peace and rest Ithose who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18) in death) it is really true that, our way are not Gods am so saddened by your death because way but his way are surely higher than ours, I pray you never gave me a signal when you talked to that the almighty God console me as you rest in his me that faithful memory. Your voice on radio and bosom. TV always gives me hope and happiness. You were such a wond erful person and I admire you Da yie so much Menana Ekow Panyin. Nyame mfa wo nsie Till we meet again. You always and passes by the house whenever you come around. IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 8 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

TRIBUTE BY WIDOW “For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes Hmmm….Odo (Love), you surely have some that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds explanations to give me when we meet again in that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of the bosom of the Lord.It is often said, that there men snared in an evil time, when it falleth may be no perfect partner since perfection suddenly upon them.” (Ecclesiastes 9:12) belongs to the Almighty God alone, but an ideal Amen!!! partner can be found in someone who has developed certain ways that go beyond looks, Another memorable day has began, with charm and success; and that was Medo (My Love) Japhet Baidoo (Jay, as I affectionately called great gathering all around me and our kids, yet him). We have known each other for a little over I still feel very lonely… four (4) years, but it's as if we have been together for four (4) decades and when you talk about Hmmm…., so Jay, how do you expect me to having a real partner, it was evident in our understand that you can no longer walk by my relationship because there were growth and side in this puzzle of life? understanding of our upsets and its influence on You never said goodbye, Odo : So was it so our conducts. urgent for you to go, and leave my world so cold….? I will forever remember our regular cooking competitions which bonded us greatly and But I now understand your popular saying, renewed our friendship…. I have really missed your which is… “Life is full of mysteries”. salty jollof rice. Until about a year ago, life was Indeed Jay, life is full of deep mysteries…! normal with its usual ups and downs; Jay and I You remember when we first met on the were one in mind, body and soul, so together we second day of January, 2018 at beach road; overcame so many obstacles; physical and you were full of life. it was evident in our emotional by the many side graces of God, and relationship because there was growth and even through the past year of this deadly sickness, understanding of our upsets and its influence we never lost hope. Together, by the graces of on our conducts. You told me all about your God with my little medical background, we did past life that I needed to know, and even now, everything humanly possible to overcome the in your physical absence, I am proud to say that cold hands of this deadly disease; we sold all that you said about your past have been investments meant for the future of our kids; we confirmed by the happenings of your parting; received some support from friends and family there hasn't been any surprises at all, except and even had to relocate from our own house to a that “Life is still full of mysteries”. Jay, do you rented house, just to fight this disease with all the remember we promised each other to stay resources at our disposal. Indeed there was a light of victory few days to his parting, but as you now know, “Life is full of mysteries”. He quietly exited, unannounced, at the early hours of February 16, 2022, after a short prayer session. IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 9 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

TRIBUTE BY WIDOW CONT. Jay, you were not just my husband, but a brother, a father, my best friend and in fact my everything. I thank God for my wrongs you made right. Grateful to you for choosing me as your wife and the love of your life. Memories of your sense of humor has been my innermost companion ever since you departed. You were such a wonderful and God-given husband to me and great father to the kids. Jay, you have indeed left me young and broken with fragile kids, but I take consolation in the fact that you are now part of the heavenly witnesses, and interceding for me and the kids that we will do well; I also take consolation in the belief that your prayers before God will ensure that all your kids, are well protected, well sheltered, well-educated and properly mannered with the fear of God. The kids and I will forever miss you, Honey…. Fare thee well Sweetheart… Fare thee well Jay, my Darling… Fare thee well my compassionate and trusted friend… May God be with you till we meet again in the bosom of our Lord God Almighty. Love you so much. IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 10 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

TRIBUTE BY SIBLINGS “If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we Our hearts are broken and our hopes are die for the Lord, so whether we live or die, we shattered. When are we going to recover from belong to the Lord\" Romans 14:8 our pains? Whom are we going to depend on in times of need? We have refused to question God on why Jeff, we are truly proud of you by all standard. you have left us at this time and age, because You fought a good fight as a true democrat in we don't have such authority. It is our fervent the politcal arena. You were seriously working believe that you have accomplished God's hard to see NDC party back to power. You mission for you in the land of the living, that is created the platform for us to join and do why He has called you to His Heavenly politics with NDC, the party you loved with your Kingdom. blood. We depended on you for political information, and now that you are gone, who Jeff, as we affectionately called him, was the should we depend on or call? fifth of nine siblings. He was a major pillar in our family. He was lovely, kind, gentle, affable, Indeed life is a journey from the womb to the sympathetic, empathetic, unifier, and very tomb of which we are all passing through but intelligent. He endeared himself to all and once. We believe you are now resting indeed carved his name on the hearts of many peacefully in the bosom of God your maker. people by helping them in diverse ways. We will continue to cherish all the good memories we had together. We thank you for Jeff, you have really left a very big vacuum in your sacrifices, concern, care, love, and our family, you made a lot of promises to us, everything you did for us. Jeff, you will always and even when you were on your sick bed, you linger in our hearts and minds till we meet were still thinking about our welfare. You were a again. We love you, but God loves you best. blessing to us. Jeff, God be with you till we meet again. Amen IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 11 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

TRIBUTE BY NIECES AND NEPHEWS The hardest thing to do, is to condense the How do we say goodbye when all we want to hear is you bursting into a hymn and the rest of life of a loved one to words on a page. To us spontaneously joining in? How is this the end? translate all emotion - love, familiarity, security, everything that made you who you were to us - Uncle Kwesi, there was so much life yet to be into a brief note must be one of life's cruellest lived; many more celebrations with you at the assignments. helm of organisation, and so many conversations to be had. How will we recover Being the fifth born of your siblings meant you from this abrupt pain? We will miss your received a greater portion of care, love and presence, your energetic dances, your playful protection from them, and it showed in how arguments and jibs, your boisterous laughs. Ah, you related with us. You loved us fiercely, you you will be sorely missed. bragged about even the littlest achievements of your nieces and nephews to anyone who'd Your sunset arrived too soon, Uncle Kwesi. listen. We could count on seeing you at our And while we mourn right now, we know that a birthdays, graduations, weddings, the naming glorious morn awaits all of us who believe. And ceremonies of our kids. You were always there, so, we hold to the comfort of that this is not the beaming with pride that equalled and perhaps end. surpassed those of our parents. We hold on to the fact that we will see you again someday, at the place where no tears We often said the folks from 35/17 neither are shed, where laughter never ends, and needed a crowd nor music to party. You were a where there are no sunsets at noon. big part of why that is true; your jokes, impulsive Till we meet again, rest in peace Uncle Kwesi. performances, passionate conversations Agya Nyankopon, onfa wo kra nsie yie. about virtually everything set the tone for long nights of pure comedic joy. You really were the With all our love, and hope in the resurrection, life of our parties. All your nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. How is it that instead of planning the next family gathering, we are at the funeral of one of our dearests? IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 12 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

TREASURED Page 13 MEMORIES WORK, FAMILY, PARTY & FRIENDS IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

PICTURE GALARY IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 14 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

PICTURE GALARY IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 15 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

TRIBUTE Madam Judith Cann as Treasure, Paul Awortwe as Deputy Organizer and many other I could not BY mention due to time constrain. NANA OTSIWA MBONAKO As someone who has served as Youth Organizer in (X) A.K.A NANA the previous executives, Japhet became the life wire in the newly formed executives. ESSILFIE A.K.A UNCLE BEN Within some few days, he drew up a meeting I shall pass this way but once, any good program and we had our first meeting at Prophet Boatengs house at Apemenyim. We therefore things that I can do to any fellow creature, let decided to hold our meeting at Apemenyim. me do it know, let me neither defer or neglects After few month of meeting, I realized that, it, for I shall not pass way again. Japhet was committed to the party that, there was not a single day the two of us did not meet to I got to now Japhet Baidoo in person in the year plan and discuss the way forward so far as the 2001 when the two of us met at Shama NDC party reorganization was concerened. constituency meeting held in one of the classrooms of Shama Secondary School now His organization skills really helped us a lot. He Shama District Assembly. It was a special came out with an outreach program, which meeting organized by some concerned party moved the whole Executives to all Branches in the member to brain storm and to see the way constituency. forward after the party's painful lost of power to N.P.P in the 2000 elections. The meeting which Through Japhet initiative, we started visiting our was a special general one turned out to the Branch Executives and the communities, within consistency congress, due to poor the Constituency and our supporters renewed attendance. Japhet who was instrumental in their confidence in the Party to the extent that organizing the meeting decided to have it as during the time of campaigning our work congress to elect new executives to steer the became very easy, because we did not affairs of the party in the constituency. Most of abandoned them at all. the executives were elected persuasion, others volunteered to take positions because many It was Japhet who engage me, Stone, Kofi Sammy were not willing to take up the appointments. Borbi and others to call in the political radio Among those who volunteered to take up program where on many occasions my office was position were Japhet Baidoo as used as the base because of access to communication officer (Propaganda telephone. secretary then) Prophet Boating as Chairman, Ben Nana Essilfie as Vice Chairman, Papa Etua as Secretary, Ben Quacoe as Organizer, late Jacob Ansah as Youth Organizer, IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 16 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

TRIBUTE BY NANA OTSIWA MBONAKO (X)A.K.A NANA ESSILFIE A.K.A UNCLE BEN CONTINUE Jeff, later moved from being a serial caller Among those persons are the then managers at Agapet Fuel Station at Inchaban. Mr Moore to personally taking in the political discussion in at Sekco Junction. radio and encourage some of us to do same. The name Japhet became a household name, Mr. Daniel At Ahantaman Rural Bank, Agona in the Sekondi- Takoradi Shama Tarkwa and Nkwanta and many others. beyond. Jeff encourage some of us to take part in the Japhet employed a lot of our foot soldiers from radio discussion and thought us how to present Shama Constituency into NADMO when he our issues when it comes to our turn speak .one was appointed Regional Nadmo Director. of such discussion that made him famous was his outstanding performance on radio debate In conclusion, I can say with all honest that Jeff with the then Minister for Finance, the late spent most of his youthful age to work for N.D.C Kodwo Baah- Wiredu when the late visited the party than to himself, the immediate and larger metropolis. family. Japhet performed so well that, after the Jeff, some of us, thanks you for what you programme hon. Kodwo Baah-Wiredu imparted to us as far as Party Politics is concern. personally congratulate him for his wonderful You were a mover, strategist, trustworthy, performance, and said he wished he was in his transparent and above all peace maker. party. You were not just a party colleague but a Apart from his brilliant organizational friend in deed, a Brother, a consultant in performance, another area of which he also politics. May your soul rest in perfect peace contributed immensely was his financial support to the party. Whilst he was a student at till we meet in eternity. 'T' poly now Takoradi Technical University, Amen. Japhet was using part of his student loan to support the party in the Shama Constituency and the Secondi Takoradi Metropolis. Through Jeff”s good human relation and contact, we got to know many of party's sympathizers who were contacted for financial help to renovate our party office at Inchaban. IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 17 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

TRIBUTE BY KWEKU ANSRO DAVID AND JONATHAN FRIENDSHIP”- A TRUE BROTHER AND COUNSELOR PAR EXCELLENCE “ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE AND ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN ARE MERELY PLAYERS; THEY HAVE THEIR EXITS AND THEIR ENTRANCES AND ONE MAN IN HIS TIME PLAYS MANY PARTS”: WILLIAM SHEAKSPEAR We met in Takoradi Technical University (TTU) in 2001/2002 academic year at a Tertiary Education Institutional Network (TEIN) meeting due to our eagerness and willingness to work for the intellectual wing of the NDC on Takoradi Polytechnic(T. Poly) campus now TTU in Takoradi. We were elected TEIN President and Secretary in 2003 respectively and re-elected in 2004. Since that time, the late Dr. Japhet Baidoo, Henry Asiamah popularly known as Victory and I, Kweku Ansro, were more than brothers of which you were our senior brother and boss. Your superb contributions during TEIN, SRC general meetings and my personal uncountable interactions with you made me to draw closer to you. You were a deep thinker, confident, brave, ambitious, frank, unassuming, business minded, creative, innovative and almost always let things go no matter how bitter and painful it was. Your oratory prowess were exceptional. You c almed down nerves, and brought people together for let peace prevail. In fact, your conflict resolution skills was remarkable. Indeed, you were my GOLD, You were one in a million. You were a lion, You were a free person and an excellent fighter, You were an excellent defender, And above all, you were so generous. I know as a mortal being laid to rest, it is inevitable for you to dodge the day of accountability to our MAKER, but your death has been a catastrophic blow to me as a brother. IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 18 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

TRIBUTE BY KWEKU ANSRO CONT. You were a bridge between the old and young comrades in our great party, you were able to deal with everybody at different levels with so much respect. You always wanted me to climb to the political ladder whiles developing myself academically. You first introduced me to Mr. Sam Cheffa that whom all the young men in the party affectionately called him “UNCLE SAM”. UNCLE SAM who has affection for young men in the party created an environment in one of houses at Chapel Hill where most of us the young men equipped ourselves politically. You once again,, introduced me to UNCLE KOFI TOTOBI QUAKYI our Western Regional party father, former Shama MP Hon. Kwadwo Essilfie, Shama Constituency Chairman Mr. Samuel Borlu, the NDC National Chairman DR. SAMUEL OFOSU AMPOFO, Hon. kofi Armah Buah and many more. All of these was to give me the political exposure and build my capacity. At times I isolated myself from you to have your privacy with the big men but you drew me closer. I am eternally grateful for the many opportunities you offered me in politics. I owe my academic development to your unflinching support and advice because you encouraged me to acquire higher quality education. Bro, we have been in Accra many times for treatment but nothing showed you were going to leave me so early. “And I heard a voice a voice from heaven, saying unto me, write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea. saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labours; Amen. IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 19 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

TRIBUTE BY TAKORADI TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY (TTU) “Some people come into our lives and quickly go, Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts, And we are never, ever the same”. ¬Nguan Tengyuen. We stand before you today with deep sense of sorrow and sadness to pay this tribute to our colleague Dr. Japhet Baidoo on behalf of Takoradi Technical University. The Late Dr. Baidoo was offered an appointment as a Safety Officer in Takoradi Technical University on 1st April, 2021. He was still serving as a probationary staff until his untimely departure. The news of your demise on Wednesday, 16th February 2022 was received with shock to the entire University community since many of us had just struck some acquaintance with you. Your absence is a great loss to the Directorate of Works and Physical Development and the entire University community. As a staff, you were punctual, hardworking, reliable and ready to take on additional responsibilities even at odd times. Although you were new in the institution you had good interpersonal relationship with colleagues. Your high level of education, coupled with the rich and varied experience gathered over the years had just began to impact positively on the University in decision making. We believe that you would have done more to uplift the image of the University, however, we've come to realize that death is inevitable and we cannot afford but to answer when the master calls. We are grateful for contributing your quota to the growth of the University. We will forever cherish you in our hearts. Dr. Japhet Baidoo, Fare thee well, And may the Lord keep your soul peacefully Resting in His bosom until we meet you again. IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 20 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

TRIBUTE Dr. Japheth Baidoo supports to the union is very enormous so in the year 2016 march he BY ANTO ABOSO establish a scholarship scheme with a seed STUDENTS UNION capital of GHc5000 and named it ANTO- ABOSO SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME. “God will bring into judgement both the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time In that scheme, children from the electoral for every matter and for every work” area are to benefit from it. Thought the (Ecclesiastes 3:17) communal support to the scheme wasn't encouraging Dr. Japheth still encouraged us How can we forget you brother the committee members to keep our fingers crossed that one day many of the youth in the Japheth?, how do you want us to remember electoral area will see a greater support from you Japheth? We cannot mention ANABSU the scheme and even across the constituency. without you. In all aspects of ANABSU life you Japheth your focus and ambition for the youth were instrumental in its success. in the electoral area was very big and you must be the alive to see its fruition but only God Anto-aboso students union (ANABSU) was knows best. Anto Aboso electoral area have formed in 1996 by some prominent members in lost a great hero and a human resource the electoral area including Prof. Charles owu- development icon. ANABSU will not forget you ewie as the President, John Kingsley Mensah, and your works in the few years you spent with Hughes Ametefe, Lawrence Agbodzidor, us under the sun. Lawrence Quayson and many more including Dr. Japheth Baidoo with the aim to supporting The last conversation I had with you on ANABSU and encouraging the youth in furtherance of was very marvelous and even on your sick bed their education and future economic career. you still had a very great ambition for the union. Brother Japheth we will forever remember you. Hardwork took Dr. Japheth Baidoo through all You have gone we know that your soul and the position in the union. He was the organizing spirit will continue to be with us. secretary from inception until year 2000. He became the secretary from the year (2000- Fare thee well 2004). The dynamics of his organizational skill DEMIRIFA DUE took him to the position of the President of the DEMIRIFA DUE Association between (2004-2008) DA YIE Dr Japheth Baidoo IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 21 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

TRIBUTE BY NDC ANTO BRANCH We have gathered here to mourn the His dynamic style in organization kept Anto polling staion active for some of us to be active demise of a great comrade, great hero, an and dedicated. He introduced political keep fit achiever and a great personality of our great and individual campaigning (popularly known party the NDC. Certainly death is inevitable as house to house) in our branch and the ward. and every living soul has its coupon already We mourn you today for we believe your exit has issued and will surface in its own time when God plagued our hearts and the vacuum you have deems it fit. Ecclesiastes says “there is time for created cannot be replaced in the human everything” wisdom unless our creator. Until his promotion to the constituency position he was the chairman Japheth at his tender years had his political of the Anto polling station and in fact he was interest when he was a student at Winniba doing almost everything at the branch. between (1995-1996). He had then developed Japheth we cannot believe your demise, your desire and interest for the late former President absence has cause us as a branch, as a family J.J Rawlings and J.E Mills such that they were his and as friends. Though you have gone we your role models based on their experiences and friends, branch members and close affiliate still professionalism. In the run up to the 1996 have you at heart. You were a great pillar for the general election his activeness was seen by the party in Anto. Ward four, shama, western and then leaders of the party in the Anto branch so NDC as a whole. he was elected the youth organizer during the 1997 branch elections when Mr. Johnson Fynn Amoah was the chair person at the polling station. So he was our youth organizer of the branch Brother Japhet we will forever remember you between (1997-2000). By the dint of his loyalty for your personal role in our live as comrade and hardwork He then became the secretary and a friend Fare Thee Well Brother Japhet to the Anto polling station as result of his organizational abilities. As we know hardwork Rest In Perfect Peace pays he was popularly acclaimed as the ward DEMIRIFA DUE coordinator for the ward four (4) between (2000-2004) at a ward meeting held at Aboso polling station. IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 22 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

TRIBUTE BY SHAMA CONSTITUENCY (NDC) Hear my cry, O God Comrade Japhet started from the grassroot as a Listen to my prayer; Youth Organiser for the Anto branch in 1998. From the end of the earth After serving for four years, he became the I call to you when my heart is faint Secretary and was acclaimed the Coordinator for Lead me to the rock that is higher than I ¬ Ward four the same year. His dynamic style in organisation kept the Anto branch so active that Unknown. many of the youth were attracted to join the party. He was the one who introduced political Indeed, our hearts are faint and words are keep-fit and door-to-door canvassing at the branches in the Anto/Aboso Ward. lost, but we can only cry to our Maker for strength to mourn. When the party lost power in the 2000 general The National Democratic Congress (NDC), as a elections, Comrade Japhet was among the political party, is deeply saddened by the party activists who came up strongly to rescue unfortunate event of the death of our *hero, the party in the Shama Constituency. By dint of his achiever and comrade Dr Japhet Baidoo,* humility, loyalty, resilience and hard work, he was whose mortal remains lie before us now. Our elected the *Constituency Youth Organiser* in hearts ache. *2002* under the chairmanship of Prophet Joseph Kingsley Boateng, Comrade Ben Nana Essilfie In the context of the vicissitudes of life, death is (now Nana Otsiwa Mbonako X) as vice chair with not alien to humanity. Surely, we are all their Secretary being Papa Etuah amongst potential dead persons. It is only a matter of the others. He retained the position in the 2006 during three-fold perplexing question: *When, Where the constituency elections. and How* we are going to die. To most of us, Japhet was the paramount and Japhet, (as we affectionately called him), had finest event planner. This compelled the then his political desires at a very tender age when Parliamentary Candidate (PC), *Hon Gabriel he was a student at Winneba in 1995/96. He Kodwo Essilfie* to appoint him as the *Campaign had had so much interest in the two late former Manager* for the Shama Constituency for the presidents - J J Rawlings and J E A Mills. It was *2008 General Elections,* which brought the not very surprising to note that in the year 2015, party back to power and snatched the his interest in the former president; John parliamentary seat from the New Patriotic Party Mahamah was even higher that he became (NPP). his role model for his transparency, Honesty, Political Exploits and Academic Advancement.* IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 23 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

TRIBUTE BY SHAMA CONSTITUENCY (NDC) CONTINUATION It is worthy to note that, Japhet was made Beloved, it is evidently clear that the twenty or so years of the political life of Japhet was so the campaign manager for three consecutive compacted as if he knew he had to achieve so general elections up to year 2016. much within the timeframe because he had very little time at his disposal. Comrade Japhet was as well the TEIN President at the Takoradi Technical University (TTU) for Without mincing words, aside God being our 2003 and 2004. Ultimate Hope, Comrade Japhet was our *\"beacon of hope\".* He might be gone An extrovert by nature, Japhet was a force to physically, but his achievements continue to reckon with when it came to communication inspire the youth in the party. matters. The name Japhet became a household name in the Sekondi/Takoradi During the twilight of his life, Japhet battled for metropolis and the region at large due to his long in sleeplessness, in the throes of the superior deliveries in radio debates on political sickness that eventually led him to his ancestors. issues. He would articulate his views perfectly The equanimity with which he endured the and could never be associated with any pains of his illness was quite admirable. unguarded utterances. Japhet, you have fought the good fight, you No wonder he was elected the Propaganda have contributed your quota and you have ran Secretary (now Communication Officer) in 2006 a race Napoleon Bonaparte couldn't run. and again in 2010. As you embark on this journey of no return, may As if that was not enough, Comrade Japhet the Good Lord be your everlasting light and contested and won the *Regional Organiser* your glory. position in *2014* and again in *2018;* the position he held until his unfortunate demise in Our regards to all the fallen heroes of our great early 2022. party; the likes of Papa J, Asomdwee Hen, Bosomtwe-Sam, Kojo Tsikata and a bunch of It is equally worth noting that, Comrade Japhet them. Baidoo was the first and the only person from the Shama Constituency to occupy a position FARE THEE WELL at the regional level. ÈYÈ ZU, ÈYÈ ZA ! This is a big challenge to the Constituency and we hope to make it double this time round, at least the Vice Chairman position IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 24 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

TRIBUTE BY NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (NDC. WESTERN REGION) “I fall asleep in the full and certain hope that but Japhet would not be cowed, and he my slumber shall not be broken, and that , worked so hard and soon TEIN meeting was the place to be on campus. He made TEIN though I be all-forgetting, yet I shall not be all- Takoradi Poly so vibrant and attractive such forgotten but continue that life in the thoughts that the group on the opposite side was so dwarfed. In recognition of his commitment and deeds of those I loved” Samuel Butler. and hardwork, he was re-elected to serve a second term. Japhet began his political stewardship in Soon after his national service, he looked for the NDC here in Anto as a branch Chairman ways to put his energy and knowledge to the and rose to become a ward coordinator service of the Party, and having served at the before ascending to the constituency leadership of both constituency and TEIN leadership as the Youth Organiser in Shama Takoradi Polytechnic, he settled on a position in Constituency. the regional executive. He contested for the Propaganda Secretary position and won His exploits did not end here, In convincingly in 2006. Again, he did not 2001/2002 when he gained admission to the disappoint. then Takoradi Polytechnic, he again saw it as another opportunity to raise the flag of the NDC His hardwork paid off, and in 2008 the high and nothing was going to stand in his way. NDC won the general elections. In 2009, he He soon endeared himself to the few who was appointed the Western Regional Director identified with the Party on campus and was for NADMO, a position he handled admirably. elected the President in his second year on The need to learn the rudiments of public campus, a feat that was unprecedented in the office to be able to positively impact the annals of TEIN Takoradi Poly. Those were the system, made him stay out of the regional stormy days for the NDC, when the Party had executive contest in 2010. just lost power and the situation was such that even some “Mighty Men” in the Party had He returned in 2014, and won to become the taken cover, Regional Organiser. Again he performed creditably and was re-elected in 2018 for a second term. Sadly, he did not complete his term. Jeff, wherever you went, you made your presence felt, it came naturally to you. In the Regional Executive, you were part of a united family. You never held back during deliberations at meetings. You always gave your all to help the team succeed. IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 25 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

TRIBUTE BY NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (NDC. WESTERN REGION) CONTINUATION Your short illness began as a cough, and we At every turning of my life I came across good friends, usually would joke and laugh about it at meetings. It was never imagined that it would Friends who stood by me develop into something more serious that Even when the time raced me by. would take you away from us in such a shocking and painful manner. Farewell, Farewell my friends, I smile and bid you goodbye. Jeff, we were already thinking about No, shed no tears for I need them not. election 2024 and how we could make our results in both the Presidential and All I need is your smile. Parliamentary elections in the region better If you feel sad do think of me and win the ultimate. Why now? This is too For that's what I'll like when you live in the painful to bear. hearts of those you love.” Jeff if you can see us, your NDC family is Fare thee well, comrade, gathered here in droves, from the highest to the fare thee well colleague, lowest. We mourn you because yours was a short life that was dedicated to the service of fare thee well brother. the NDC. We cherish your sterling commitment You will forever be in our heats. and service to the Party. Tears are rolling down because, we are struggling to come to terms with your passing at the budding age of 44 years. It is very difficult to say goodbye to you, and yet we hear you say, “It was beautiful as long as it lasted the journey of my life. I have no regrets whatsoever. Save the pain I'll leave behind. Those dear hearts who love and care… And the strings pulling at the heart and soul…. The strong arms that held me up When my own strength let me down . IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 26 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

TRIBUTE BY CHURCH OF PENTECOST TANOKROM BRANCH CENTRAL ASSEMBLY Then I heard a voice from heaven say, In 2021 we had information that he has been admitted at the Hospital. We rendered our full “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord support to him and the family in diverse ways and so we were very happy when he came to Church from now on. Yes,” says the spirit,” they will rest early this year to give thanks to the Lord and the church for their unflinching support. Little did we from their labor, for their deeds will follow them” (Revelation 14:13) This is our hope in the Lord Jesus Christ as we pay know that he came to offer his last appreciation our tribute to one of our gallant brethren in the to the Assembly. He demonstrated exemplary Lord. As much as we know that dead is faithfulness to God and to the Assembly. He inevitable, we are fully assured of better life supported the worthy cause of the Church. He after dead by grace through Jesus Christ. was a kind hearted gentleman, benevolent and Today we are all here in the presence of the always there for the less privileged. His passion Almighty God to bid our final farewell to our was to put smile on the faces of those who were beloved brother, Dr. Japhet Baidoo and also to forgotten in society. He always extended help to sympathize with the family and encourage the youth in the church. them to continue to find hope and comfort in the resurrection of the dead when the Lord Though his call to glory has created vacuum in our appears. heart but we are certain that he has accomplished his task in this world. Well done Dr. Japhet Baidoo was a member of the faithful brother for your selfless, devotion and Church at Anto Aboso Assembly and joined meritorious service to God. Rest well till we meet Tanokrom Central Assembly in December 2018 again on the Day of resurrection. with his family. He was zealous and very committed to the activities of the Church and May the good Lord whom he served grant him therefore became a Home Cell teacher few peace. Amen. weeks after he joined the Assembly. Due to his passion for lost souls and make them disciple of Jesus Christ, he was appointed a member of the District Missions Committee and Home and Urban mission (HUM) coordinator for the Central Assembly in 2020. For his leadership skills and hard work, he was proposed for Eldership waiting to be vetted. IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE LATE Page 27 DR. JAPHET BAIDOO

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Thank You