Tributes_for SKB and Jane

Tributes 17 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

18 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE OF HON. YAW OSAFO-MAAFO, SENIOR PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR TO PROFESSOR SAMUEL KINGSLEY BOTWE ASANTE On my rst day at School, in I met him a couple of times later at the o springs cannot be ignored at any time. He January 1948, the Headmas- Economic Commission for Africa (E.C.A.) always believed that you must support your ter, Mr. Martinson, addressed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia when I visited wife to show interest in her siblings and their the whole school with a short E.C.A. as the Managing Director of the Bank dependants. In short Prof. S. K. B. was an welcome address and introduced some new for Housing and Construction. accomplished Akan who cared for our tradi- teachers who have been transferred to the tions and what they represented – maternal school at the parade. He further introduced Prof. S. K. B, as I always called him also nephews and nieces. the new Senior Prefect of the whole school became a close family friend and we invited in the person of Master S. K. B. Asante who each other to our home towns for traditional Prof S. K. B., I am happy you prevailed was obviously in Standard 7. He wore Khaki functions and funerals at Awisa and Soabe re- on me to chair the launch of your autobiog- shirt and shorts like any of us and appeared spectively. raphy titled “No Road Signs, No Manuals, very “huge” to me. at was the rst time I My Journey rough Life” on 29th Octo- saw the eminent scholar, Professor S. K. B. Prof. S. K. B. was very objective and ber 2016 at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Asante, as the Senior Prefect of the famous thorough in his dealings and at discussion. Sciences Auditorium. Presbyterian Boarding School, Awisa. He would not just take a “No” for an answer but insisted on details and justi cations. In his remarks at the launch, Prof. S. In January 1966, while acting as Presi- Sometimes if you were discussing an impor- K. B. described himself as a “proud, rural dent of the National Union of Ghana Students tant ma er with Prof. S. K. B. and he was not Ghanaian village-born scholar”. (NUGS), some members of the NUGS Ex- sure about the veracity of what you were say- ecutive visited a number of Halls at the Uni- ing or of his own contribution to the discus- Among the guests at the ceremony held versity of Ghana, Legon to interact with vari- sion, he would politely defer discussions on inside the auditorium of the Ghana Academy ous Hall bursars including Dr. S. K. B. Asante the issue to another time to enable him check of Arts and Sciences were former President who was the Bursar at Akuafo Hall. When I on certain facts and gures. Prof. S. K. B. was John Agyekum Kufuor, Prof. Stephen Adei, remarked that I remember him as my Senior born an intellectual and he lived it. former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Man- Prefect in 1948 at the Presbyterian Boarding agement and Public Administration (GIM- School Awisa, he laughed and asked in which When I was appointed Minister for Fi- PA), Justice Emile Short, ex-Commissioner class I was at the time. I responded that I was nance by President Kufour in the rst NPP of Commission on Human Rights and Ad- in Class 1 (Primary 1); he laughed heartily Government of the 4th Republic in 2001, he ministrative Justice (CH J), H. E. Charles and asked which Secondary School I a end- did not only visit my home with his dear wife, B. Josob, High Commissioner of Namibia to ed a er Awisa Boarding School and I replied Jane, to congratulate me and provide many Ghana and Sir Sam Esson Jonah. “Achimota School”. He continued the laugh- pieces of advice but wrote a congratulatory ter and asked that I come back to his o ce to le er to me to con rm his delight. Prof. S. K. B. thank you for allowing me be taken home in the evening for dinner. so close to you despite the age di erence. Prof. S. K. B. was a dedicated husband You were a role model to me and I bene ted I had dinner in his house on that day but and cared very much about his children and a lot from our relationship. You were frank, declined an invitation to spend the night in their education. He always advised me to en- honest and kind hearted. Problems of others his bungalow. At the dinner we talked a lot sure that I provide the best of education for were always taken on board by you and you about Awisa town and its Boarding School my children. Interestingly, Prof. cared very assisted to resolve them. and Achimota School. He took me as a much about the wellbeing of his extended younger brother and we created a lasting re- family both at Apoli and elsewhere. He re- May the good Lord give you a lasting lation ever since. marked to me on several occasions that be- rest in the bosom of Abraham. fore you got married, people cared for you and educated you and those people and their Prof. S. K. B., Da yie. Onyame mfa wo nsie. Amen. 19 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE TO A CLOSE FRIEND, BROTHER AND NAMESAKE – T NSCRIBED FROM A GHANA TELEVISION PRESENTATION. NANA DR. SUSUBRIBI KROBEA ASANTE, OMANHENE ASANTE ASOKORE The late Professor SKB Asante called me his highly admired brother be- cause we had the same surname. I am Samuel Kwadwo Boateng As- ante. at’s my private name. Traditionally, I am Nana Susubribi Krobea Asante. He is Samuel Kingsley Botwe Asante. His other name is Kwasi. So we are both SKB Asante. We are both inter- national o cials, both academics, and he was a professor of a regular type. I was an occasional professor in a number of universities, either visit- ing or adjunct and sometimes our names and our CV’s got mixed up in international service. He mainly in Africa, mine. beyond Africa, into Asia. I was in International Law. He was not a lawyer but a political scientist. At one time he wanted to read Law and wanted me to help him but it turned into Economics and Political Science. He came from Soabe in Akyem. I come from Asante. We were linked together because when I le sixth form in Achimota School in 1952, he was then in Abuakwa State College. He came to Achimo- ta sixth form in 1954. And then people started writing to me to say there’s another SKB Asante here. We actually met in 1960, when he invited me to his wedding. He was going to be married to a lady called Jane Asante. So the invitation to me, Mr. and Mrs. SKB Asante, from SKB Asante who was ge ing married to Jane Asante. Eventu- ally we met at the University of Ghana where he became a bursar. 20 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

But before we go any further, I would like to em- But here’s a man who obviously was endowed African leaders. phasize that his book, the autobiography really with some talent but was never content to rely on highlights the di culties encountered by peo- that talent and rest on his laurels. He always did When he came back, he did not rest. As a retired ple from the rural areas who wanted to get into something a bit more challenging than people international civil servant, he helped establish secondary schools back in our days. In his case, would expect of him, but he worked hard with the Centre For Regional Integration in Africa even going to elementary school was a problem. his colleagues. Among an elite group of people (CRIA) and was involved in the African Peer His mother was not keen on his going to elemen- from other schools, you know, there were about Review Mechanism (APRM). He then went to tary school because the elementary school was eight other people from other secondary schools his own area and tried to li the standard of living situated in another village. She wasn’t sure how and he was one of them. And when he went from of his own people. So this is a man who was giv- her dear son would be catered for. So the family Achimota to Legon, he was one of the few peo- en talent but not appropriate wherever. He never had to be persuaded before he even entered el- ple admi ed to do honours History. In those said here’s the one talent that you gave me. He ementary school. And then in the course of his days, you could be placed on general honours, worked hard, multiplied it and a ected so many elementary school education, there were sever- but had to pass an exam to get into the elite class. people, so many bene ciaries. And really a few al formidable challenges like moving from one He passed the exam, got a degree and he was em- months before he passed away, I felt as if some- village and walking a number of miles every day ployed in the Audit department. He could have thing was very wrong. I called my dear brother to get to school. Eventually he nished at a place done well there. It however became obvious that and said, I want you to know that I have a great called the Awisa Presbyterian Boarding School he wanted to be an academic. deal of appreciation for what you have done both which was well known at the time. And from in this country and internationally. at’s what I there he tried to get into a secondary school. Un- e bursar’s position at Legon was quite a good feel. He has a beautiful family, Jane, who unfor- fortunately, his father did not allow him to take position but somehow he yearned to be on the tunately passed away last April and four children up the scholarships which were awarded him academic side, so on his own, he enrolled as an – Kwabena, Yaa, Abena and Kwame. ey are all when he was in standard six. He said he had to external Masters student at the London School doing very well. get standard seven certi cates, which was a very of Economics and Political Science and was able important quali cation in those days. A er the to pass that. And so while he was a bursar, he He also had a spiritual experience. One of his standard seven examination, he went looking for was also teaching Economics and Political Sci- children had cancer which involved a very trau- a job, you know, like a messenger, not knowing ence. He was recommended to actually join the matic treatment. He says that actually brought that he had already won admission with scholar- academic sta , which he did. He specialized in a whole new spiritual experience to him. And if ships to three schools – Adisadel College, Achi- Political Science. He also enrolled as an external you read his autobiography, it shows you a very, mota School and Abuakwa State College. Un- PhD student at London School of Economics very sort of moving story about his conversion to fortunately, by the time he got those le ers, the (LSE) and got his PhD by his own endeavours a born again Christian. It shows another aspect admission date for Achimota and Adisadel Col- and wrote a very interesting thesis about the of his life. He was a man who, like the old Achi- lege had long passed. So the only available school Italo-Ethiopian war and its e ect on African na- motan he was, carried living water to a thirsty that he could go to was Abuakwa State College, tionalism. at’s how he became a lecturer in land. at’s all I would like to say by way of expla- which he went to amidst all the challenges he Political Science at the University of Ghana and nation. I miss him very much. And my dear warm had encountered. He was put up by Paa Willie, rose to be head of that department. at was not condolences go to his family. My family and his who was then Principal of the school. Because he enough. He went abroad to Harvard and the Uni- family are like family to each other. came late, he feared that he would be subjected versity of Florida, Gainesville. at was a short to bullying and all the other stu . He kept him in term assignment and he eventually went to the his own residence for a li le while until later on United Nations Economic Commission for Af- when he joined the mainstream. And despite all rica (ECA) where he performed beautifully. He the di culties and so forth, was able to pass his went onto the United Nations Institute for Na- exams. Eventually, he made his way to Achimota mibia (UNIN) where he helped the Institute School sixth form. train and welcome a new generation of South 21 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

22 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

23 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE FROM example for my siblings. He would always come NDY KWABENA ASANTE back to this theme. “When a great man dies, for years the light he leaves “My son, keep your father’s command; don’t behind him, lies on the paths of men.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow abandon your mother’s instruction.” – Proverbs 6:20 When a good friend of mine When the mirror is broken you no longer see Daddy loved his books!! As long as I remember, heard of Daddy’s passing, he your image. On that dreadful day that you de- our house, wherever it was located, was inundat- reached out to me to o er his parted this world to join the saints it has not ed with…. yes, Books!! It was not easy to have condolences. Upon learning been the same again for me. Daddy, you were the both your father and mother as teachers, educa- more of what Daddy had accomplished and le mirror at which I looked at my life, the mirror at tors. Yes, we were born and bred on a university behind, he turned to me and u ered, “Kwabe- which I looked at myself and now that you are campus, but as a child that means very li le to na, when we put all the four of you together i.e. gone, my life is so empty that I feel it in my soul. you. My three siblings and I, you still won’t be able My solace is the fact that you lived a righteous to accomplish a quarter of what your Daddy has life and you have Mummy to keep you company. In those late 60’s, early 70’s Accra, there was accomplished”. I said, “Menua, w’apampa mu”, Every moment of your life is like a book on a path nothing more exciting for a child than going on literally tanslated, “My Brother, the top of your towards heavenly bliss. Your departure has made a family trip to the old Accra Zoo at Flagsta head” – an endearing insult. But yes, he was me broken and transformed me into a man. House, the Trade Fair Site, e Point, at Tema right!! or to Kingsway to see Father Christmas. at Daddy was a very commi ed family man. was the enjoyable part. A er each one of those To me, it was not about the accomplish- All the struggles he experienced in life was with trips, immediately we got home, we had to write ments. Daddy was just that, Daddy!! He was the the aim of creating a path to make his family and an essay on “My visit to the xxxxxx.”. Daddy, ever one who developed the rst ring tone for me. others experience a be er life. He rose from very the teacher he was, diligently reviewed each of Daddy had a special whistle for me when I was humble beginnings to touch numerous lives in the essays. What we as children thought was growing up…and that is the way he always called too many places. He kept improving himself and the lowlight of the day, was invaluable training when I was out of his sight. To this day, I share reaching for the sky. is was not for personal being given by the “Prof ” even at that young this whistle tune with some of my closest friends. trophies or accolades, but it was for the love of age. I found out at a tender age that the way to Daddy, I still hear that tune! family and to instill in us, the value of hard work Daddy’s heart was through academics. During “It’s so much darker when a light goes out than and the rewards it provided. As the oldest of four my secondary school days at Achimota and even children, Daddy imprinted on me from a very into University, Daddy had academic “spies” who it would have been if it had never shone.” tender age, the value of responsibility and the provided intelligence to him. If you did well at John Steinbeck burden of being a trailblazer and se ing a good school, he was your friend. If you did not do well at school, well…. let’s just say, he was not “too much” your friend. e proposition was clear. I thus strove throughout to be the best I could be. ese are life lessons I have instilled in my own children. “A father is neither an anchor to hold us back, nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.” Unknown Daddy always believed and made it his life mis- sion to leave this world a be er place than he 24 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

found it. He was very passionate about helping holidays. Daddy, thank you! ante 11 Football Team. He loved and treasured the unfortunate and we had numerous conver- - No Ma er How Far You Go In Life Never his grandkids. e grandkids also loved and sations about this. As someone who came from treasured their grandparents. During the Christ- very humble means in a small village next to the Forget Where You Came From mas holidays of 2019, Daddy insisted that he railway line, he vividly understood what poverty Dhar Mann wanted to see all his grandchildren. He may have and the lack of opportunity could result in. He sensed that time was not on his side. He took thus strove to give people a chance as evidenced Daddy, I miss your funny jokes, your dramatic all of them on trips to the University of Ghana by his se ing up (with Mummy), the Education- gestures, sharing your great stories of yesteryear, where he spent most of his life. He gave them a al Trust Fund which served underprivileged chil- your hearty laughs. It was always a lot of fun to be full tour, showing them a plaque, which had been dren around his village. During our youth and around Daddy. Daddy had the penchant for be- dedicated to him. is was a crowning moment growing up, we had di erent people – both fam- stowing nicknames on anybody and everybody. for him, but also the last time he would see his ily and non-family live with us at di erent stages. He would nickname one of my friends “Prof ” grandchildren. Daddy did not hesitate to help the less fortunate. because he was a very bright student. e name He sincerely believed that God’s word is clear survives to this day. He named another “Osagye- Daddy, you have lived a full and rewarding that we are called to help the poor. fuo” because he thought he reminded him of life. Death changes everything! Time changes Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt Kwame Nkrumah. My son Kweku was nick- nothing…. I still miss the sound of your voice, named “Ketchup”. When daddy would come the wisdom in your advice, the stories of your for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the to visit and spend time with us, he noticed that life and just being in your presence. So, No, time needy honors God. Proverbs 14:31 Kweku put ketchup on almost everything he ate, changes nothing. I miss you as much today as I hence the name. did the day you died. I just miss you. Even though Daddy had travelled all corners of the earth and could be described as an “Interna- On one occasion Mummy went out on her e reality is that I will grieve forever. I will tional Man”, his heart was always with “his peo- daily walk but got lost and disoriented and could not ‘get over’ the loss; I will learn to live with it. I ple” in and around the li le village of Soabe, near not nd her way home. An SOS went out and will heal and I will rebuild myself around the loss Akyem Oda in the Eastern Region. Daddy was one of our family members found Mummy and I have su ered. I will be whole again, but I will a very traditional man at heart and never forgot brought her home…. True to form, he immedi- never be the same. Nor should I be the same nor where he came from. He made sure to get us chil- ately had a nickname bestowed on him – “ e would I want to. dren acquainted with the traditional ways. He Discoverer”, because he “discovered” Mummy. made it a point to frequently take us to Soabe for Daddy, Da Yie e story of Daddy cannot be complete without mention of his grandchildren - e As- Mummy! Ma! Mama Jane! ere is no answer from the other side…Ah Why ? Grandma! Maame Adjoa Fordjoe ! Mum- my! All her names I could remember. Still.. ere is a deafening silence on the other side!! Mummy is no more….Auntie Jane has gone to join her Maker. No more “I love You” on the other end of the telephone line….No more hugs…..No more kisses - on both cheeks. ese are all treasured memories now. “ ere is something about losing a mother that is permanent and inexpressible – a wound that will never heal” Susan Wiggs 25 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

Mummy was the rock of the family. If there is sure that our clothes were clean for school; she so many times you felt like you failed. But in the anything that is more solid than a rock, that was was the one who declared war on the lice in our eyes, ears, and mind of your children, you are a my mother. Mummy was a no-nonsense discipli- hair; she was the one who made sure we com- Super Mother...a Sweet Mother! narian, but she was also a peacemaker. Mummy pleted our homework before the next school day. was a schoolteacher, but also a poultry farmer. Mummy was Superwoman!! One Woman ou- “Blessed are the peacemakers, Mummy showed us not only the meaning of sand!! for they will be called children of God”. love, but also the importance of expressing it. At the end of every phone call, mummy will say “I Some of us are old enough to remember the Ma hew 5: 3-12 Love you” and you were expected to say “I Love very rough and tumble time in 1980’s Ghana, you” back. We were and continue to be a very when there was near economic collapse and se- ank you mummy for teaching me so many close-knit family, and who can I thank for that? vere famine. is must have been a very tough things. You taught me how to cook and I consid- Mummy! I still remember quite vividly one of time for every mother, every provider of a family er myself a good cook today. You taught me gar- her close friends remarking on many occasions – How am I going to provide for my family? In dening and today, I am a great gardener. Indeed, – “Adjoa, mi nim se sika ni e yi mu, na ensu, those days of scarce “essen-co” (essential com- there isn’t enough time and space to list all that odo womu” Translated , “I know this house is not modities) – sugar, milk, rice, our, it was di cult you taught me, Mummy. blessed with riches, but there is a lot of love”. It to manage a family. I remember Mummy making brings to mind the old highlife song, “Odo yedε all day trips to as far away as Lome, Togo, so she I know for certain we never lose the people sin sika”. When a mother nurtures her children could buy some “essen-co” to feed her family. we love, even to death. ey continue to partici- well, love and goodness are awakened in the chil- pate in every act, thought and decision we make. dren’s hearts. Because of our mothers’ love, we e essential commodities had to go a long learn to love as well and we feel God’s love more way because, going food shopping in another eir love leaves an indelible imprint in our profoundly. at is how Mummy wanted it. country was not an enjoyable experience. Ingen- memories. We nd comfort in knowing that our ious Mummy had a trick for that! While mum- lives have been enriched by having shared their “And now these three remain: faith, hope my made breakfast– coco (cornmeal porridge), love. and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Tom brown, or rice water for all of us, she will put a few cubes of that St. Louis sugar, and a few Now I know why you always asked me to be 1 Corinthians 13:13 drops of that Evaporated Ideal milk right into the strong… because you knew that one day, I would need the strength to bear your loss. I miss you, Mummy. Mummy, Da Yie Mummy was an old schoolteacher and discipli- pot. When the food got to the dining table, you “For a mother is the only person on earth narian. She gave respect and demanded respect. were expected to enjoy it just the way it came. As Who can divide her love among 10 children Please do not forget your “thank you” or get typical children with a sweet tooth and excesses, something from her or give something to her you did not even have the chance to add more of And each child still have all her love” with your le hand – On a good day, she will get that “essen-co” brought in from Lome. at was Jill Churchill whatever thing you want to give to her and knock Home Economics in practice and that is how you on the head with it. is will remind you not mummy managed that period. Indeed, if she had to do that again. to, Mummy would go to the end of the earth to “Train up a child in the way he should go and provide for her family. She was a special mother. when he is old, he will not depart om it” “Her children rise up and call her blessed; Proverbs 22:6 her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many Mummy was “ e Provider”. What did she pro- women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’” Proverbs 31:28–29 vide? Everything!! Mummy, you kept the peace at home. You were She was the one who made certain we did the soldier…but also the peacemaker. You were the judge, but also the jury. You had the patience not go hungry; she was the one who made sure to listen to all the cases we brought before you. we took our medicines; she was the one who You ruled rmly but fairly. I know there were made sure we put more Vaseline on our bodies during harma an; she was the one who made 26 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE BY from even though it was not always the best! AWO YAA AMOAH ASANTE You were always there to talk till your later days when we could not have long heartfelt Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes conversations and discussions. Oh, mummy in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and how I miss those times. Mummy you were so believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? nice and friendly to my friends, my friends John 11:25-26 loved you so much! When my friends came to visit, you used to join us have really nice patient with me and saw me slowly evolve meaningful conversations. My friends o en into the woman you were proud of. anks to came to visit you when I wasn’t around. the wonderful life lessons I leant from you, I raised Agyeiwaa (who was named a er you) Mummy, I owe all my education to and Nana to become individuals you were so you! As child I was not the best student and proud of. Mummy, you did such a wonderful really did not care much about studying. You job taking care of them when I le them with always had time for me to help me with my you and daddy for four years while pursuing studying. Mummy you used to say to me, my advanced degree. When they came back “Yaa (Yaa, if you don’t do well in school your to the states, they were so well behaved I used father will blame me because he is so smart). to get requests from teachers to help them It really bothered me that Daddy was going to blame you for me not doing well in school, raise the other children. Sorry, I took all the credit because you weren’t around. ank you! You were strict yet very loving. I remem- ber my biggest fear was misbehaving outside home and a report ge ing back to you. Pun- Mummy! Oh mummy! How ishment was swi and severe. Looking back, I miss you no words can it’s the best thing you did for me. even begin to express it! Everything I do in my life Mummy, my present relationship with reminds me of you. e void I feel is unmeas- the almighty God stems from what you in- urable. I look at myself, the strong woman I stilled in me. You made sure we went to have become today and realize I owe it all to church every Sunday, read the bible, and lead you. You taught me everything I know about a God-fearing life. Not only did you teach my being a woman and a great mom to your siblings and I to know the Lord but you also grandchildren. taught my children to know Christ. Going up, I know I was not the easiest Mummy, you were not only my mother child to deal with, as a di cult child; you were but my absolute best friend. I could tell you anything and everything without you being judgmental. You always gave me such good advice and understood where I was coming 27 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

so I decided to do be er. You always told me of joy and times of sorrow. Lord of consolation, parallel, it was unconditional! I am glad I was you initially wanted to be a nurse, so I was the pain of losing my mother is deep. She meant always able tell you how much I loved you! encouraged to pursue a Bachelor of Science so much to me in life and taught me so much. I Even though you expressed your love in so degree and eventually a doctorate in nurs- thank you that when she was released om her many ways you could not verbally express it! ing. I remember how proud you were when earthly body, she was ushered into your presence. Initially, whenever I said, “Daddy I love you” I got accepted into Harvard for my master’s Give her rest om her labors and bind her soul your response was “hmmmm!” en it went in public health. You told me, “From Asubua among the living. I pray that the life she lived will to “ ank you!” We made so much fun of to Harvard!” Mummy, I really appreciate all be an encouragement to those of us who remain you because you just couldn’t say “I love you” your encouragement and believing in me on this earth. As she is now at rest with you, I Finally, you got it, you were able to respond, when I didn’t even believe in myself! You thank you for the hope of a future in your pres- “I love you too” Daddy, I knew you loved me used to say “Yaa, ko na kowaa ko si.” (Yaa, ence that we will share together. Now may you, unconditionally even when couldn’t say it. keep going to the end) the Lord of Peace, give me peace at all times and in every way. rough Jesus Christ, our Lord, I remember the trips you took with us Mummy my fashion diva! Your sense of Amen! as children. You always said it was very im- fashion and style was ….. I got my sense of portant to see the world through our own style from you! ank you! As a child I re- Awo, my mother Awo!” Daddy is eyes. I remember taking us on vacation in member watching you get dressed and seeing what you called me as long as Europe at the age of 7 just to educate us. I how good you looked. Daddy always looked I can remember! I was named enjoyed all these trips except the essays we at you with so much pride and admiration. I a er your mother, so I always had to write! Daddy, you wanted me to be ex- always couldn’t wait to show you o ! When- held a special place in your heart. You spoilt posed so you introduced me to eating out at ever I was down on vacation and I dressed me ro en and I enjoyed every bit of it. You an early age. You took me to beautiful expen- casually you always reminded me I was in had a way of le ing all my problems disap- sive restaurants with names on the menu I Ghana thus, dressing too casually was unac- pear! All I had to do was to tell you or call could neither read nor pronounce. I remem- ceptable. Even ever I get dressed up for an oc- you and you took care of everything. You had ber saying to you, “Daddy, why can’t we just casion my daughter Agyeiwaa will say to me, such a so spot in your heart for me! Daddy eat fufu at home with our ngers instead of “Grandma is smiling cos you look so good.” I miss you! eating in these expensive places!” You would Our spa days in the US were the best! You laugh out loud and tell me how important it enjoyed being pampered and ge ing a make- Daddy the love you had for us was un- was to learn to be a lady and be exposed to over. ese are moments I will never get to the ner things in life. share with you again! Daddy I miss our friendship, I miss Mummy, rest in perfect peace till we you! Growing up you were friends with meet again! all my friends, and they all enjoyed you so much! You knew the names of all my friends Heavenly Father, from primary school to your end. What I ap- ank you for the gi of earthly life, in particu- preciate and admire most about you Daddy is when I lost my best friend Lily while I was lar for the life of my mother. ank you for all away, you went to visit her daughter Jesse in the years I enjoyed with her. I praise you that Tech and gave her provisions and money. she stood with me through the good times and Daddy, you were the best and I’m so glad I the bad times. I cherish the memories of times 28 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

unfortunate children who could not a ord to be educated, thus the education fund you and mummy founded. Daddy, I was and still so very proud of you! I will always love you; you hold such a special place in heart! Well done! Mo! told you a million times! ed spending our vacations in Soabe while our Heavenly father, On my multiple trips home on vaca- friends stayed in Accra to party. Daddy, I love Living God, although my tears are owing, I feel Soabe now! For about three years, you spent blessed that when my father took his last breath, tion, you used to tell me, “Yaa wo mpue po, almost every weekend in Soabe, making sure he entered heaven’s gates. I miss him dearly, but wo nfre wo ndanfo.” (Yaa, you wouldn’t even your house was built to your taste. e scen- I cling to your promise of salvation for those go out or call your friends). All I wanted to do ery, calmness and the whole atmosphere is so who place their faith in You. Lord Jesus Christ, was to spend time with you Daddy, and just very relaxing. you are the name above every other name. As I talk. We always had so much to catch up on, mourn the passing of my father, may I nd safe- laugh and just tease each other. Daddy, that Daddy, you are the most sel ess and ty and comfort in your name. May your voice was our time! giving person I know. I remember you mak- soothe my pain and strengthen me in my weak- ing sure Soabe had electricity, internet ser- ness. May your promises provide hope in my Daddy you loved Soabe and you made vices and so many other amenities. You told distress and stability in my confusion. God of sure we all grew to love it too! e nickname me you had given me a good education and Loving Devotion, please show your compassion my friends gave you was “Soabe” because I was now an adult so you were going to use to me as I grieve the death of my father. I thank they experienced the love you had for your whatever money you had to support other you for his life and ask that you comfort me in birthplace. As children, my siblings and I hat- my distress. May he rest in Paradise until that nal day when you return, and we are caught up into the clouds with you. Help me to honor his memory by living a life of sel ess love and ser- vice. Amen. 29 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

MEMORIES OF MY PARENTS ABENA KONADU ASANTE ADU-NYAKO “If we were united together in a death like his, we will also be united together in a resurrection like his.” Romans 6:5 My dearest mother! Mummy! part of the solution. She instilled in my siblings needed to be. During a period of ill health in my Aunt Adwoa! Motherrrrrrrr- and I, great life qualities and virtues that still re- teenage years when dad was domiciled outside rrr….! I knew this day would verberate within us. Ghana, mummy went knocking on doors in “high come one day but it came too places” to ensure that her daughter received ur- soon for me, but at the right time for your Mak- I have several memories of my mother gent medical a ention. I am forever grateful for er! It was His time to call you Home-- who am I spanning di erent roles she played in her LIFE her relentless pursuit in seeking excellent care for to question Him? script on this earth. She was cast in multiple roles- me and not giving up despite the multiple bar- some by choice, others she auditioned for or was riers she encountered. It seemed a “no” spurred My mother was a mother like no other- an understudy for. ere were yet still other roles her on even further! ank you, Mother! kind, thoughtful, energetic, inspiring, funny, dis- that were challenging but with a grit-mindset she ciplinarian, loving and caring with unparalleled eventually embraced the challenge and succeed- Mummy taught us to love the Lord and sense of style and class. Beneath all the aforemen- ed. In addition to being our Proverbs 31 mother, trust Him at all times. She ensured that we went tioned a ributes and qualities, she was brainy, she was a teacher, poultry farmer, trader, woman to Sunday School every Sunday and continued bold and beautiful-a woman who never forgot of God, con dant and a civic minded individual. her Maker and the roots from whence she came I used to look forward to Tuesday and urs- from. Mummy put everyone she encountered at day a ernoons when mom was a schoolteacher ease and was quick to o er a helping hand or be at University Primary School, Legon where I a ended school. When the clock struck 12 on those days, I knew to gather my books and ac- company my mother to Accra Central. My moth- er had a traders’ passbook which was used to re- ceive a consignment of cloth at wholesale prices and then sold to market women at a small pro t. Sometimes we delivered packaged poultry from our “residential poultry farm” to catering estab- lishments. With a full house to feed, mummy did what she had to do to supplement the family’s income and she did it with such joy and deter- mination. My mother instilled in me how to love, re- spect and embrace people from all walks of life regardless of their socio-economic status, reli- gion or ethnic a liation. We are all children of God she would say, why would you think you were be er o than someone else? Mummy was bold and persistent when she 30 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

the lessons at home. When we faced tough peri- we did not have to convince any parent of our de- picked up the book I was reading in preparation ods in our lives, she taught us how to lean more sire to be educated, it was expected of us. Every for the GCE- William Shakespeare’s Julius Cae- on our faith. moment was a teaching moment especially the sar. As he ipped through the pages, he started eld trips we took to Elmina, Kumasi, Akosom- reciting the famous address by Mark Anthony One of my fondest memories of mom as bo and several places of interest. It was fun and and asked me if it was in the book I was reading. a spirited woman was a celebration of Interna- exciting except when we had to write about our I said no it was probably in another Shakespeare tional Women’s Year. I believe in 1975. She and experience a er each of those trips. I remember book. e truth was that I had had so many false her friend purchased the commemorative cloth, bargaining with daddy one day to share my re ec- starts in reading and understanding Julius Caesar earrings and accessories and celebrated in style. tions of a particular eld trip orally. His response and had glossed over that famous speech! How She instilled in me then and many times thereaf- was a vehement no and I had to produce a longer could I? Did I get an earful from daddy that day ter that I could do anything I wanted to do in life. form of the essay. On occasions that we did not and several weeks later! I miss our conversations, I miss your wit, I miss travel, he gave us prompts to write di erent kind your humor and wisdom, I miss you rubbing my of essays. As I got older, I understood why. ose I loved to hear daddy recount the stories hand as you talked to me and above all, mummy, moments he carved for discussions was my spe- of his youth or any other story for that ma er. He I miss your solid, calming presence. You were cial time with daddy as it went beyond the essay, was an engaging storyteller. As he told stories, his certainly the neck that turned the head of the As- I had wri en to include life lessons. Daddy pro- voice would rise and fall, and he would demon- ante family and I am grateful to have called you vided the non-judgmental platform to express strate a myriad of facial expressions and hand Mother. You were a woman beyond your times my views, ask questions and embrace alternative gestures drawing the listener in! What I loved Mama! Now that the curtain has closed on your perspectives on several topics. I owe who I have most was his contagious laughter which started life, may you rest in eternal peace for a job well become today to those early foundational in- long before he got to the punchline if there was done. structions. ever one! Endless Love Your “Mother” Daddy never slept through the night. He Anybody who loved to learn and was a hard Nana Konadu woke up between 11pm and 1pm most nights worker was a friend of daddy. He will encourage to go to his study to read, write or grade papers. and connect you to resources to succeed only UDADDYnlike my mother, I had only one It is no surprise that he wrote several books and if you will do your part. It was therefore no sur- name I called my father by -Dad- scholarly articles in his lifetime. He would o en prise that he and mummy a er retirement, es- dy. Daddy took immense pride in wake me up during his trek to the study since I tablished and privately funded the Educational being our father, a role he took very was preparing for the GCE “O” Level exami- Trust Fund and the Information Communica- seriously till the end. My father, like my mother nation. I recall one particular incident, daddy tion Centre in Akyem Soabe. was my rst teacher. He taught me at a young age, how to sit as a lady either crossing my legs at the Daddy, I am thankful to God that I had the knee or at the ankle. He also taught me dinning opportunity to share the last few months of your etique e - how to correctly use cutlery, take bite earthly life with you in 2020. Sick as you were, size portions, pass food around etc. He was also we managed to reminiscence and have moments the rst to adorn me with grown up jewelry that of laughter and joy for a life well lived indeed. I still cherish to this day. It was a pair of almond shaped amethyst earrings which I learned much ank you for being my pillar, my north star, my later was my birthstone. provider, my life coach and instilling in me such great values and qualities. Life wasn’t perfect but Daddy loved learning and valued educa- we managed to make lemonade from the lemons tion. Having two educators as parents, they made that life threw at us-sometimes sweet lemonade, sure we had access to resources to stimulate and other times bi er lemonade. But with God’s help, encourage learning. Unlike dad, we did not have we survived and thrived because of your adaptive to walk miles barefoot to go to school- the school leadership. I am who I am because of you, I do was within our neighborhood and so we had no what I do because of you. Daddy Nante Yiye! reason not to excel academically. Unlike daddy, Your loving daughter Abena Konadu “Osew” aka P.R.O. 31 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE TO MUM & DAD YOUR “ AKYIRE” KWAME ANNOR en I heard a voice om heaven saying write “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord says the spirit. ey will rest om their labour and their deeds will follow them.” Rev. 14:13 Dear Mom and Dad, you were al- No one could have wished for such be er par- I know that you will always be watching over us ways there for us. God has blessed ents like our special mom and dad. I am forever from heaven above. you with many years with us and grateful for what you taught me from childhood I can’t believe you are not with us through adulthood. I was a li le naughty as a You have shared your love and life with us anymore. You were the kind of parents who were kid and got some well-deserved spanking, but it and the rest of the world and le a legacy for the always there for us, from the very beginning and stemmed from a place of love. future. Daddy and Mommy, we have an enormous throughout life. I recall as a child, o entimes sense of gratitude and appreciation for giving so when you were away on trips, I fell sick, which Even though you are missed dearly, and we much of yourselves to us. Now we bid you fare- cut your trip short because you had to come back have shed many tears, it is nice to know that you well as you spend eternity hand in hand forever. and see me. I wish I could do that now. are together side by side in the heavenly realms. Odikoro I look back in fondness everyday now and think about our annual Christmas vacation to Soabe. ese are memories I will forever cherish. I see the signi cance of those trips now that I am an adult wishing we can go back all together, just one more time. 32 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE BY EVELYN AKU PEART - NIECE the road side, remarking sadly a erwards, “Not everyone has someone to guide them”, she had For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, such a kind heart. and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 Another lesson Auntie shared during my grandmother Nana’s 95th birthday celebrations In March 2020, I travelled to Ghana. Uncle when he sits among the elders of the land. She was: “Celebrate people when they are alive, let Asante was in good form, with his trade- makes linen garments and sells them… Prov- them hear you say what they mean to you, don’t mark laughter and a crescendo of a greet- erbs 31:23-24 wait until they are gone.” ing. I had joined my mother in Ghana to visit Auntie Jane who was recovering well, fol- Auntie was caring, an example of her trans- She opens her mouth with wisdom and lowing a sudden bout of ill health. Whilst there, forming a concern into action, is when she estab- on her tongue is the law of kindness Proverbs Uncle Asante presented me with two copies of lished a foundation to equip young people with 31:26 his autobiography -“No Road Signs, No Manual: vocational skills, and give them an opportunity My Journey rough Life”- one for my brother for a be er future. I am glad for every moment we spent to- Andrew and the other for myself. Inside my book gether. In March last year, it was so nice to sit to- Uncle had wri en: “To our highly cherished Aku, She extends her hand to the poor. Yes, gether cha ing and laughing – reading the bible with all good wishes and God bless!!” … this trip she reaches out Proverbs 31:20 and other books, and praying. Auntie had always was the last time I saw them both in person. been diligent in her time of daily devotion and Auntie’s words were a balance of rm wis- Bible reading. It is with gratitude that I look back at the dom and kindness- she has le valuable life les- times we spent together; there are milestones sons that have been a blessing to share; lessons What I have recalled are not only memo- and markers that punctuate the journey: time like, “Only give what you can a ord to lose (in ries, but a legacy – evidence of the excellence of a spent together as family, at special occasions, time, emotions and nances), without expecting Proverbs 31 Woman - Auntie Jane. weddings and funerals -in locations like Accra, anything in return”. She was always ready to give Oda and Soabe in Ghana; London; Gainesville, advice and give correction where it was need- An excellent woman [one who is Florida and Lusaka, Zambia. But for me there is ed, even to those she had just met on the street. spiritual, capable, intelligent and virtuous], one speci c marker- the time when Auntie and I once witnessed Auntie Jane stop the car and who is he who can nd her? Uncle agreed to bring back an 8 month old baby get out to advise a young mother walking along from London, England and bring her up for 4 Her value is more than jewels and her years as their own, with their 4 children. Kwabe- worth is far above rubies or pearls. na, Yaa Amoah, Abena, Kwame Annor and I …I Proverbs 31:10 (AMP) was that child and we were cherished. Strength and honour are her clothing Her children rise up and call her blessed – she shall rejoice in time to come Proverbs … Proverbs 31:28 31:25 In later years- as a renowned diplomat, ac- ademic and author- Uncle’s schedule was o en busy and so I spent more time with Auntie Jane. I remember them travelling all over the world and being stationed abroad. We visited them in Lusa- ka, Zambia and it was here that Auntie Jane had her batik business: designing, printing and dye- ing to create beautiful fabrics. Her husband is known in the gates, 33 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

34 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE FROM TRIBUTE BY TRIBUTE TO G ND- KOFI, KWAME ADJEI & JOJO KUKUA ASANTE PA AND G NDMA ASANTE – G NDKIDS G NDAUGHTER DALE KOBBY ASANTEt was an honor having both of you as Grandparents. We enjoyed every last moment and we heavily cherish it. Both Iof you will be missed but every mark I Iand memory we cherished will not go away. Ko - “ e Preacher” Kwame Agyei - “When I see you, my heart FIRE!” Jojo – “ e future football player” will forever miss spending time with t is still so hard to believe that Grandpa both grandma and grandpa. ey were and Grandma are not with us anymore. I always the kind that brought joy and can still hear Grandpa’s echoing laugh as he the type of boundless energy that li s greets me with the nickname he bestowed you up whenever they entered the room. upon me - “ e Chosen One”. I can also still taste Grandpa would always call me “Princess” grandma’s delicious and love- lled “kakro” she whenever he would stay over at our house. enjoyed making, as it was my favorite treat. His voice and laugh would echo throughout Ever since we were li le kids, whether it the house, along with the visible glee from was visiting them in Ghana or welcoming them his smile. to our home in New York, they always greeted us with smiles and hugs and were so excited to Grandma was always so sweet and TRIBUTE TO G ND- calm. I remember a time when we were just be in our presence, as we all enjoyed theirs as PA & G NDMA watching National Geographic on TV. ere well. ere is never a dull moment with Grand- was a wolf hunting a deer. Grandma, with her pa around. He could always nd a way to ll the MYLES KWEKU ASANTE silence in the room by telling you stories of the Icannot begin to describe how in uential and instrumental Grandpa and Grandma kind and caring heart, was rooting for the past or constantly telling you how big you have were in my life. To them, every day present- deer to run away and escape. When the deer grown. He would tell you how good it was to see ed itself as an opportunity to greet every in- did not escape, she was a li le upset, showing you and that he believed you could do anything dividual with a smile and to impart some form of how much she cared for each life, each living and everything. When you saw the smile on his knowledge upon them. I fondly remember every thing. face and how happy he was to just be around his time Grandpa yelled “KWAKUUU LOVES HIS grandkids, you couldn’t help but smile as well. In December of 2019, we visited grand- TSUPP”, (Ketchup) just to portray his enthu- ma and grandpa in Ghana and spent Christ- Grandma, on the other hand, while also siasm at seeing me enjoy myself. mas with them. It was nice to see where being happy and excited to see you, would gently grandpa taught as a Professor, and see the and carefully hold my hand while asking me how Grandma, with her ever-stoic presence, work he had done in general, especially his I have been. Her touch was always so comforting. was the most comforting soul as she sought to wri en work in the bookstore. Unfortunate- It was as if I were the only person in the room, the bring peace into any congregation of individuals. ly, that was the last time I saw them. main event, when she talked to me. She was always present to listen and receive any triumphs or disappointments that you had en- It was truly a pleasure to have met them Although they were di erent people with countered. rough them, I learned the impor- and have them in my life. di erent ways of expressing their love for us, it tance of family and love. We operate be er as a was love all the same. To this day, I can still hear Rest In Peace Grandpa. Rest in Grandpa’s voice and feel Grandma’s touch. I unit that cares for each other, rather than individ- Peace, Grandma. know that feeling will never go away because of uals, acting on personal beliefs. their eternal and endless love for us. To this day, I cannot believe they are truly No ma er where they may be, they will gone but I will always cherish and celebrate every forever remain in my heart, as the most loving lesson they le us with. and cheerful people I knew. I am glad to have Rest In Peace Grandpa & Grandma spent time with them. Rest in Peace, Grandpa & Grandma 35 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE TO G NDMA JANE ASANTE AND I still have the envelope that she kept my G NDPA S.K.B. ASANTE birth items in and the pictures we took while AKUA ADU-NYAKO in grade school. She was kind, and a teacher in every sense. Grandma provided me with life les- This World Is Not My Home, I am just passing through …. sons such as removing my braids and combing the “imprukah” (dirt) out. She even shared her beauty secret, telling me to suck my tummy in at all times so it doesn’t grow big haha. I’ll never forget the funny words and phrases she made up to describe the embarrassing, but hilarious mo- ments of my life. I miss my grandparents so much every day, but I’m so thankful for the memories we shared. Miss you, and love you forever. “When I see you, my heart, yahhhhh!”. Sincerely, Your egg Iam the rst grandchild of Grandpa Sam Ethiopia as babies. He never let us forget that we and Grandma Jane and I feel so grateful to cried nonstop and almost missed the ight. He have had as much time with my grandpar- claimed that by some miracle, they opened the ents as I did. doors for us to board the plane so we could be Growing up, grandpa would spend hours returned to our mothers who missed us so dear- telling me stories from his past about the places ly. I like to think I got my personality and sense he’d traveled which fueled my love of traveling. of humor from my grandpa. I will forever cherish the bouts of laughter that we shared together. e way he would tell stories with such emo- tion and energy always put a smile on my face. I My Grandma Jane was de nitely the calm- loved hearing the story about the time when he er of the pair. ey balanced each other out real- and grandma were tasked with bringing Aj, the ly well. Grandma was always good at preserving second grandchild, and I back to the US from memories with her beautiful penmanship. 36 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE



TRIBUTE TO G NDMA JANE ASANTE AND of our potential. He had a favorite story for G NDPA S.K.B. ASANTE each of us that we ourselves will never forget. AGYEIWAA ASANTE My Grandmother’s warm and lov- ing spirit epitomize the mother in Mother Ghana. Even when she would scold me, she had to look up to me to do it, I always knew she did it because she cared. She never hesi- tated to take care of anyone, and that includes the over 20 pets she’s had over my lifetime. My Grandparents’ legacy will never be diminished. ey live on in not just those of us who share their blood, but the countless number of people whom they have touched over the years. Knowing so many people will remember them fondly for years to come is a gi in and of itself. Rest will, we’ll miss you. Amen. More important than our ciation for Ghana. e time I spent with them grief of losing you, is the here is what has made Ghana home for me. relief in knowing that you Grandpa’s love for his country and his desire two have been reunited. I to see it reach its fullest potential also drives know the almost ve months between your me. I never met anyone so invested in his na- passings was the longest you’ve been a part tion, to the point where he refused to even for a while. I take solace knowing you’re re- visit America in his old age. His pride and united. legacy continue to live on in his children and grandchildren. He was proud of every one of My love and appreciation for my grand- us, just for being born and saw the greatness parents is directly tied to my love and appre- 38 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE TO G NDMA JANE ASANTE AND G NDPA S.K.B. ASANTE NANA ASANTE “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” John 14:1-4 Grandpa and grandma it’s so sad you TRIBUTE FROM are both gone, I will miss you so much! First, I want to thank you very I ASIEDUAt is with a heavy heart and a deep sorrow much for taking good care of me for that I pay this tribute to my beloved Grand- four years while my mother was back in the US in pa, Prof S.K.B. Asante. school. I didn’t expect you to leave me the way you did that faithful ursday a ernoon of No- Grandma, thanks for driving me to school vember 26th 2020. I became your granddaughter and picking me up everyday in your li le Tiko! You when I moved into your home as a care worker. made sure I was well taken care of. You made sure You warmly welcomed me into the family and I celebrated my birthday every year in grand style. cherished me in a special way. I enjoyed going to Trinity church every Sunday with you. Even though I le the Children’s Sunday I recall an experience where Grandpa School in the middle of service to chase chickens showed his care for me during my training in and goats, you always brought me back every Sun- school. I needed funds to complete my practi- day to listen to the word of God. cal training. Grandpa was excited that I was fur- thering my trade and voluntarily contributed the Grandpa, I will miss you so much! I was al- needed funds for me to complete my trade. I was ways running around and stressing you out, but so happy! I appreciate everything that Grand- you still loved me unconditionally. I loved dogs just pa did for me, the love, care, generous and your like grandma did, but I wanted to become one. It teachings. upset you so much! You said to me “How can my grandson who was named a er me want to be a Everywhere we went, Grandpa always in- dog!” Grandpa, I was only 4 years old, but you took troduced me as a smart Granddaughter. I will it so seriously! Fortunately, I grew out of that phase. never forget every moment we spent together. I Grandpa, I enjoyed it so very much when you came can still picture you in my mind, si ing and chat- to visit in the states. You were always so nice to my ting in the living room. It is sad to feel you are friends. Grandpa, I will miss you deeply! no longer with me on Earth, but your love and peaceful memories are forever my guide. If love Rest in Perfect Peace! alone could have saved you, you never would have died. In life I loved you dearly. In death I love you still. You hold a special place in my heart that no one could replace. Rest in peace, Prof. Demrifa Due 39 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

EULOGY TO MY IN-LAWS PROF. SKB ASANTE are smiling and pleased that we managed to nd AND AUNTIE JANE ASANTE your favorite daily reading New York Times in FROM KOFI ADU-NYAKO Greensboro and e Economist! It was no mean feat. And here in Greensboro you became en- On hearing of my in-laws passing, privileges and responsibility appertaining to a deared to the larger Ghanaian community and a friend remarked “woadi Lo o”. child and more. Am I not lucky or what. It’s been they returned your love-- some of them coming Referring to the double whammy a long 40 years plus years of association with to see you o en during their visits to Ghana. loss of Professor SKB Asante and the Asante family. From afar, through the media Kwasi & Emelia, Ofori and Gladys, John and Auntie Jane, my father and mother in-laws. Yes those old days, Nana’s (as my father in law was af- Cecelia Akonful, Dr. Kpeglo, Ebenezer, Vida, I ‘chopped’ lo o long time ago with the gi of fectionately called) writings in West Africa Mag- Victor and Andrea, Awurakua, Vero and Ken, Dr. the two remarkable and loving persons. Today, azine introduced me to Dr. SKB Asante. ose and Mrs. Osei-Bonsu, Marian and others bid you I mourn the loss of this colossal gi that I have were the days of deep and insightful political ar- fare thee well Nana and Auntie Jane. been privileged to call father and mother, for I ticles and those were days of competing political was told right at the onset that “we consider you thinking for young people to digest. Li le did Nana and Auntie Jane, You were always as our older son”. Older son Alleluia! With all the I know that I would be seeing and meeting the a xture in Larteh and expanded your network Prof. SKB close in person in faraway Gainesville, from my immediate family to the extended and Florida and becoming closer and closer. Nana, larger Larteh clan. Your Larteh family says “De Auntie Jane and family was the rallying and fo- Okos3 Enyin3 ne Auntie Jane.” Sisi Teacher, cal center for the Ghanaian community, through Oye, George, Agyiriwa, Apanyin, Johnny, Brig. impromptu gatherings, “inside- belly” parties, Agyemfra, Auntie Adwo Badger, Auntie Koko- and Ghana Independence Day celebrations. So bi, K Boss, Wofa Kwame, Sally, and others dearly the closer I got the closer I looked. “Seek and Ye miss your company at Larteh. “Nkp3 dzi wole” shall nd” the good book says. And I found and became elevated to SON-In Law. I married one ank you for being such an a able family that of the Asante family treasures, Abena Konadu embraced us all. Asante. Now the beginning of the nucleus of the Asante 11 Football Team. Akua Asabea skipper ough there will forever be empty chairs and captain landed and Nana you said “Let the around the dining table, and the phone calls on grandchildren ow!” Abena Nyakoa and Kojo birthdays of your grandchildren have gone silent, Asante followed therea er. ank you Nana and No “AB, AB”, and calls of “Motherrrrrr” is re- Auntie Jane for your love, a ention and devotion sponded to by eerie silence at the other end. Yes, to the Adu-Nyako family all these years. For e no more heartfelt laughter and no more jokes. “Wat3h Girls” and your name, Kojo Asante, your YOU remain forever in our hearts and we deeply memory will forever be sweet grandpa and grand cherish every second of our lives with you, my ma. dear in-laws. Revelation 21, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. ere will be no more death Enter Greensboro, North Carolina. We or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order miss Olan Mills – family pictures galore. We of things has passed away.” miss the trips to Jos A Bank and the many shop- ping malls. Your yearly visits to Greensboro we Desiderata by Max Ehrmann. Go placid- always looked forward to. And your penchant for ly amid the noise and the haste, and remember colonizing the dining room where you penned, what peace there may be in silence. As far as pos- I mean typed most of your writings. I hope you sible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ig- norant; they too have their story… 40 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE BY ROSEMUND MARJORIE ACQUAH ASANTE (DAUGHTER IN LAW) Although we may trust God’s promises for life after death and the certainty of a heavenly home, we must still face the reality of death. Billy Graham Professor SKB Asante !! Auntie Jane was more than my Daddy, as I used to call him was al- mother-in-law, she was also my ways full of vim, vigor and vitality. friend. She was the “silent” back- I called him “Daddy” not only be- bone of the family. Never ask- cause he was my “Daddy-In-Law”, but he also ing for much but quietly making sure that shared the same birthday with my late father. everything went well. Always there to pep us up with quiet words of wisdom. She was He was like the “worker bee”. Always a pillar that could not be shaken. Balancing going, going and going!! He never stopped the life of a well-schooled woman in her then until the end. His energy was spontaneous archaic society without ru ing feathers – and infectious. that is an art. She was a woman ahead of her When I rst met him, I was amazed by his times. Auntie Jane encouraged young wom- passion, ferocity and dedication to put Ghana en to get an education. She also advised them and indeed the whole African continent on to maintain a loving partnership with their the map. He worked tirelessly at the region- spouse to keep the household together, mold al and international level to achieve this aim. the two worlds. Every time we met, he activated me into overdrive mode. Boy, did he have boundless ank You Auntie Jane. Rest In energy! His ideas, his motivation – they were Peace. di cult to overlook. He was a great man, No HE IS A GREAT MAN! We will never forget his lega- cy. If there were more like him, Ghana, Africa and indeed the entire world would be a be er place. Rest In Peace, Daddy. God Bless You 41 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

42 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBAUPOTELIB, YADTAUHNAEDSAAAS,ODSNJOOAABBAUEBE,U.ASNUYAINOAFSAEKIM e Korangye Ampaw Stool of Akim Apo- li had remained ‘Odikro’, a relatively lower When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, rank among the chiefs of the Akim Abuak- and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades wa Traditional Area. Among the objectives Revelation set by you on becoming Abusuapanin was to do everything possible at Akim Wenchi Now You belong to the ages, Aso- by the family as the next chief of Akim Apo- and Kyebi to elevate the stool and the status na ba Opanin Akwasi Wankyi, li; but you politely declined the o er in view of the chief of Apoli to ‘Barima’, a position as you were a ectionately re- of your engagement at the United Nations in in Akim Abuakwa that permits a chief to sit ferred to by the family. New York and other external assignments in in a palanquin. You persevered and joyfully You were a direct descendant of the Ko- Namibia and South Africa. achieved that objective when Okyenhene rangye Ampaw Royal Stool of Akim Apoli In 1987, you were instrumental in the selec- Amoatia Ofori Panin, in 2017, colourfully which now has some of its members spread tion and enstoolment of your direct nephew, elevated the Akim Apoli stool which had re- out in surrounding towns like Aduasa, Soabe, Barima Owusu Aduamoah II, the current mained ‘Odikro’ from the eighteenth century Anyinase and Adjobue, due to intermarriages chief and occupant of the Korangye Ampaw to ‘Ohene’ with the title ‘Barima’. with other families. stool of Akim Apoli. Your never forgot your root inspite of your numerous achievements and your status in You were born and bred at Soabe but you You still realised the need to play your role life. You considered the dilapidated house never forgot your root, Apoli, a relatively as a royal of the Asona Family and later ac- of your great grandmother, Obaapanin Am- small town whose location is still unknown cepted to be enstooled the Abusua Panin of ponsah, at Akim Apoli as unbe ing of your to many Ghanaians. the Akim Apoli, a position you held till your status. You engaged a building contractor in You were the rst member of the family to at- demise in November 2020. 2018 who demolished the old house and re- tend a second cycle institution at the Abuak- ACHIEVEMENTS AS ABUSUA PA- constructed a modern house well furnished wa State College, Kyebi, in 1948. You rose to NIN OF AKIM APOLI for the family. become a lecturer at the University of Ghana You historically handed over the reconstruct- and a ained professorship in the same Uni- e Asona family of Apoli had continu- ed house to the family in a memorable cer- versity. You lectured in other Universities in ously used the private house of Obaapanin emony in August 2019 at Apoli; and sadly Africa and beyond and you were our source Amponsah, your great grandmother, as the that was the last time you visited Akim Apoli of pride and joy, that Apoli too has been Chief ’s Palace for the town since the 18th when your health was failing. able to produce such a brilliant scholar. Your Century. During your tenure as Abusuapanin achievements in academia is unparalleled of Apoli, a modern Chief ’s Palace was built e Asona Abusua at Akim Apoli, Aduasa, and it will take the family generations to pro- for the town. Adjobue, Anyinase and Soabe will forever be duce somebody of your type. Apoli is sited in the thick forest, far away from grateful to you as an illustrious son who dedi- When your senior brother Barfour Korangye Aduasa and the neighbouring towns, and its cated his life for the family, the nation Ghana, Ampaw II, the then Odikro of Akim Apoli being connected to the national electricity Africa and the world at large. died in 1986, you were the obvious choice grid seemed impossible. When you became Da yie Okyeman Kanea …………… Abusuapanin you used your in uence to Da yie Asona Abusua Kanea. make it possible for Apoli to enjoy electricity. Da yie Prof S.K.B Asante. 43 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

O Love, who once shalt bid me rise From out this dying life of ours; O Love, who once above yon skies Shalt set me in the fadeless bowers O Love, I give myself to Thee, Thine ever, only Thine to be. MHB 427 (CAN 139) 44 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE TO PROFESSOR SAMUEL KINGSLEY BOTWE ASANTE BY DR. HAGE G. GEINGOB PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA Professor Samuel Kingsley Botwe Asante is no more. e Asante Family has lost an exceptional patriarch, and Ghana has lost a distinguished academic who advanced the path of knowledge. Africa has lost a son of the soil,whose authentic intellectual exploits and edu- cational capacity has bestowed our continent with a wealth of knowledge which will continue to en- lighten minds across the globe for years to come. erefore, in celebrating the extraordinary life of this great educator, we acknowledge that we are overcome with the emotion of sorrow. Howev- er, there is also a sense of joy, as we nd solace in the fact that he lived a life of purpose, commi ed to the improvement, not only of his fellow Ghanaians, but also of all Africans, on the continent and in the diaspora. As Namibians, we recall with fondness, the contributions of Professor Asante in assisting Namibia to a ain the institutional capacity for self-governance, through his work at the United Nations Institute for Namibia. On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of Namibia, I hereby extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the Asante family on the passing of Professor Samuel Kingsley Botwe Asante. May His Soul Rest in Eternal Peace. 45 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

MENAMTTYORTRIEBAAUNCTDHEFETRROI,END MOHAMED IBN CHAMBAS UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY- GENE L’S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR WEST AFRICA AND THE SAHEL HEAD OF THE UN OFFICE FOR WEST AFRICA AND THE SAHEL DA R, SENEGAL Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” ... 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 It was with a heavy heart that I learned of the passing of Professor SKB Asante, a ectionately and respectfully always referred to by all of us as Prof. Prof. introduced me to internation- al organizations and regional integration as academic disciplines. He was my lecturer at the Political Science Department, Univer- sity of Ghana in the early 1970s. And I do not exaggerate when I state that he laid the foundation for the interest I developed in in- ternational organisations, and in particular, African regional and sub-regional integration institutions. Prof was a popular and e ective teacher. His classes were always oversub- scribed because of his natural teaching skills, 46 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

the clarity of his presentations, the manner in exposing me to the mining communities as the President of the Commission, it was he stimulated the curiosity and inquisitive of Ghana such as Konongo, Obuasi and Tak- to him that I turned to provide guidance and minds of the students, the knowledge he de- wa where we stayed for a number of days do- recommendations on how to strengthen the livered, and the warmth of his personality. ing interviews. I still believe this experience e ectiveness and e ciency of the organiza- He was tough with his students without be- also facilitated my admission to the US Ivy tion and the integration process in the West ing intimidating. League Cornell University where I obtained African sub-region. Needless to say, Prof my Doctorate degree. presented a remarkable report which re ect- Prof. was not only my teacher, he was also my ed his deep knowledge and wide experience mentor. He encouraged me with my stud- During the period that I was in active politics in the area of regional integration. He was a ies, provided guidance and counselling and in Ghana, and when I took up my interna- thought leader, and at the same time a ver- presented opportunities for academic pro- tional career, I remained in close contact with satile practitioner in the eld of integration, gression. One such instance was when he Prof, as I considered him a friend, from whom a recognized authority, an advisor consultant chose me in the long vacation period of 1973 I sought advice. I was one of his pupils/stu- and functionary of international and African to participate in the “Inter Futures Program” dents about whom Prof .was very proud and organizations totally commi ed to deeper in- which he run with a colleague Professor from he o en told me that. I would introduce him tegration across the continent. the United States of America. e program at major events as my teacher and mentor, paired a student from the University of Ghana sometimes to his embarrassment because as By his demise, Prof has le a huge void in with a counterpart from a US University for the true academic he was always modest; he this domain in Ghana, in West Africa, and in- two months to undertake research in a top- was not one to seek the lime light. deed, in Africa. ic of their choice. My student co-research- er was a Richard Mohr from the University He was, without doubt, one of the most pro- My deepest condolences to his family at this of California system with whom we worked li c researchers and authors on the subject of irreparable loss. May God grant you the for- a paper on “A History of the Mine Workers regional and sub regional integration in Afri- titude and grace to bear the painful loss, and Union of Ghana”. Prof. in this one instance, ca as evidenced by his countless publications to move on. built my con dence in collaborating with my on these subjects. Prof was a leading author- peer from a US University, in exhibiting my ity on the Economic Community of West Repose in perfect peace Prof. intellect vis-à-vis a foreign student, but also, African States (ECOWAS). When I served Damrifa Dwe, Dwe. 47 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

PRTROIFBEUSTSOERINS.MKE. MB.OARSYANOTFE ROF. S. K. B. ASANTE and I were BY ALEX NTIM ABANKWA contemporaries at the University College of the Gold Coast (now He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” PUniversity of Ghana) in the mid Revelation 21:4 1950s and graduated in June 1959. Our cho- sen careers took us to di erent parts of the country and later on, the world. However, ge ing to our retirement years, our career paths began to cross and we regularly met at cooperation and development conferences, he from the United Nations Economic Com- mission for Africa in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and I from the Embassy of Ghana Brussels, Belgium. On our nal retirement and return to Ghana, we put our experiences and expertise to- gether and accepted an o er of a contract sponsored by the O ce of the European Union in Accra and the Ghana Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to under- take a “STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF THE ECONOMIC AND MONITARY UNION {UEMOA) ON GHANA” For this study, Professor Asante and I had to, over a period of about ve months travel through most of the French speaking countries of West Africa and then to the headquarters of the Europe- an Union in Brussels. A few years a er the submission of our report to the sponsors, the two of us got appointed to serve as members of the Governing Council of the African Peer Review Mechanism where we became travel- ling partners any time the Council travelled within and outside Ghana. During these trav- els for our work, we had a lot of time to our- selves to talk about our backgrounds, aspira- tions and concerns. is is how and when a strong bond of friendship was built between us. I came to admire SKB’s commitment to reports that he got involved in producing. For example, a er submi ing the report on the 48 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

“STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF THE ECO- which he joined the Department as a lectur- nected to the national grid. NOMIC AND MONITARY UNION (UE- er from which he progressed to the top as a MOA) ON GHANA” which recommended Professor. Other philanthropic projects including the working to build a stronger Economic Com- establishment of the “Professor S.K.B. As- munity of West African States (ECOWAS) As a believer and passionate proponent of ante and Mrs. Jane B. Asante Educational as against Ghana joining UEMOA which is self-help for the development of his li le Trust Fund” and other donations to schools a sub division of ECOWAS. SKB took on an corner, Prof Asante and a few enlightened and institutions are too numerous to be re- appointment at the Legon Center for Inter- citizens proposed schemes to raise funds for counted here. e Trust Fund was set up to national A airs (LECIA) to lecture on Re- the upli ment of the towns along the rail- o er scholarships to all pupils of the four gional Integration. His reason was that Africa way line in the Akyem Wenchi educational rail line towns who would pass the Basic lacked enough deep thinkers on Regional In- circuit. However, these fundraising e orts Education Certi cate Examination (BECE) tegration and if Regional Integration should did not yield the expected results. is did well enough to gain admission to approved succeed, then there was the need to teach not dampen the spirit of the Professor. He senior high schools through tertiary institu- more operators of the subject. He took a sim- resorted to appeals to government institu- tions. Most of the rst batch of awardees who ilar action on the reports of the AFRICAN tions to provide residential accommodation passed through to universities did not disap- PEER REVIEW MECHANISM (APRM). to a ract and maintain teachers at posts. Fur- point the benefactors. From what Prof told When the participating countries began issu- thermore. when the government introduced me, they graduated with rst class or second ing their annual reports, he took advantage of the Rural Electri cation Scheme with some class upper degrees. a visit to New York to organise a work shop basic quali cation requirements which the on the APRM at the United Nations O ce local residents could not ful l on their own, Mrs. Jane B. Asante, the dear wife of Prof. As- to promote the merits of the APRM. He trav- Prof and his dear wife Mrs. Jane Asante as- ante for nearly sixty years could not bear the elled to a number of African countries to as- sumed the responsibility and provided the loss of her dear husband. She died only a few sist them to establish their APRM secretar- required low and high tension poles and got weeks a er his passing and she is being bur- iats. Indeed, he subsequently established an all the houses in Soabe, the Prof ’s home- ied today with him. eir children Kwabena, Institute on integration in Accra. town, to be electrically wired in order to get Yaa, Abena, and Kwame have been rendered the four towns in the educational circuit to parentless, (AGYAN FO). Prof Asante was a self made academic, dip- qualify to be connected to the national grid. lomat, philanthropist and politician. He in- In spite of all these e orts through visits and AGYAN FO, MONNUE! deed started these activities even before he appeals to the Electricity Company of Ghana G ND CHILDREN, MONNUE! completed his secondary school education. and the Ministry of Energy, the la er would ABUSUA NE SOABEFO, MONNUE! At that young age, he supported the chief of not consider the community’s application. his hometown and a veteran of the second My hope is that your pain will be assuaged by world war to establish a Junior School in So- is is where another admirable characteris- the consoling fact that their contribution to abe, his hometown. He was a very focussed tic strength of perseverance and persistence Ghana’s development has been recognised individual who knew what he wanted in life of SKB sprang up. Prof Asante stuck to prin- by the Head of State, who was present at the and planned for it. On graduation, he was ap- ciples and wrote a personal le er pointing 40th day celebration of the Prof ’s passing. pointed as an Auditor and posted outside Ac- out his e orts and frustration to the Head Prof. was also honoured with an Award of the cra. Within a short time, he worked his way of State. Fortunately, the Head of State re- Order of the Volta – O cer Division. back into the University environment by ap- alized the unfair treatment the community plying for a position as a Bursar of one of the had su ered and got his o ce to write back PROF. and JANE, FAREWELL.! Halls to make it possible for him to work and promising that the Akyem Wenchi and other study Economics and Political Science a er adjoining towns would be connected shortly. Within six months the community got con- 49 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE BY AMBASSADOR WILLIAM A. AWINADOR- NYIRIGE For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 I rst had the privilege of meeting the late Prof. S.K.B Asante when I was serving under the then Chief Executive of ECOWAS, Dr. Mohamed ibn Chambas, as his Chief of Sta . ‘Prof ’, as he was a ectionately called, had been recruited by ECOWAS as a consult- ant to help build the capacities of ECOWAS National O ces in the 15 Member States. In my case, as it is for many others, the mention of the name of Prof immediately conjures at least three things. First, as a dedicated researcher and teacher who backed his mentoring work with consultancy services, he was one of the leading go-to ex- perts on regional integration in Africa. And who also approached his work with an infectious smile of warmth, professionalism, dedication, and passion. Second, I came to learn from my boss, his former student in University, that Prof was a self-made man. is, together with his strong value system, helped to make him radiate humility, warmth, and inspiration for those of us who were privileged to have worked closely with him. ird, by sheer coincidence, Prof found himself indirectly linked to the Liberian Peace talks logistics! I had gone visiting him at his East Legon residence, one evening while on mission to Accra. e Liberia Peace talks led by a former Nigerian Head of State, had just concluded very successfully and the ECOWAS support team was back in Abuja. While Prof was seeing me o to my waiting car, we continued with a lively conversation when I received a frantic SOS call from an ECOWAS colleague in Abuja. ey had forgo en a very precious parcel at the M’Plaza hotel in Accra where the peace talks had held. So quickly, I took leave of Prof and rushed over to the hotel, managing to retrieve the parcel intact for delivery in Abuja a er a restless night, having to keep a very valuable parcel in my temporary custody! Our beloved Prof, man of peace, strategic regional integration and development ac- tivist, uncle and friend, please rest in perfect peace. Damirifa due. Due due. 50 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

Till then I would your love proclaim with every fleeting breath; and may the music of your name refresh my soul in death. MHB 99 CAN 25 51 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

RPERGINBOIOYTAFNC.RFASEIRL.BNKIIUCN.TBATTR.EE(EAGCTSFRRAOOAINTARIT)OEN A Giant Boabab Tree Has Fallen in the Forest of Regional Integration And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:26 journey led him to build his own capacity, tegration. In addition, he advised the gov- during the early days of Ghana’s independ- ernments and capacity building institutions ence, rst as a Civil Servant and then as an of the newly independent Southern African Administrator at the University of Ghana. Development Community (SADC) states of e University work whe ed his appetite to Namibia and South Africa. steer his professional work through advanced graduate degrees at the London School Upon retirement, Prof neither slowed down of Economics. In turn, these educational nor relaxed, but rather continued working at achievements led him to an extraordinary a remarkably busy pace, teaching M.A. cours- academic career through lectureships at the es in Regional Integration at the University University of Ghana, as well as Harvard and of Ghana’s Legon Centre for International The dawn of the era of the Afri- University of Florida in the U.S. A airs and Diplomacy (LECIAD), while si- can Continental Free Trade Area multaneously publishing articles and books, (AfCFTA) is upon us. We pause Prof. o en spoke about his time in America and providing sustained and crucial adviso- to remember and celebrate the and the occasion when he a ended the Ca- ry services to the Government of Ghana and life of a distinguished son of Ghana and ded- nadian African Studies Conference in 1984 the Economic Community of West African icated Pan-Africanist who was driven by a where he met the acclaimed Prof. Adebayo States (ECOWAS). Prof. Asante used to dream and passion to promote the realization Adedeji who was highly impressed by Prof. mention, with great satisfaction, four areas of African regional integration, as a key de- Asante’s scholarship. Prof Adedeji astutely of advisory services he rendered to promote velopment strategy for the continent. recruited Prof. Asante to work at the United region-building as being his “ nest hour” Nations Economic Commission for Africa and greatest contributions. ese included (UNECA). is pivotal meeting led to Prof his: i) role in the evaluation of the ECOW- Prof SKB Asante liked to quip that his life’s Asante’s illustrious career as an international AS Treaty; ii) advice to establish the West journey was unpaved with “No Road Signs, and continental servant, working as a Sen- African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) and the No Manual.” However, by God’s grace, Prof ’s ior Cabinet Adviser with particular focus West African Monetary Institute (WAMI); to promote Economic Cooperation and In- iii) recommendations to build the capacity of 52 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

ECOWAS National Units for the be erment e Board of Trustees of the Centre for Re- African institution for creating awareness, of West African sub regional integration; and gional Integration in Africa is chaired by Dr. building much needed capacity and generat- iv) advocacy to establish a whole ministry Mary Chinery-Hesse and its members in- ing knowledge in African regional and con- dedicated to the national business of regional clude Nana Owusu-Afari, Prof. E.P. Bond- tinental integration. CRIA remains steadfast integration the Ministry of Regional Inte- zi-Simpson, H.E. Dr. E. Benne , and Prof. L. in its commitment to carry on delivering the gration and NEPAD. Tlou. e CRIA Secretariat includes Prof. L. mission and vision of the Centre and to pre- Tlou, Mrs. Juliana Abu, Mr. T. Kitcher, Dr. F. serve the all-important legacy of Prof. SKB In his “retirement”, Prof Asante’s internation- Danso, and Mr. D. Boateng. Asante. al, continental, regional and national expe- riences continued to shape and propel his We, along with countless colleague associ- We whole-heartedly concur with the doc- passionate drive to address a persisting gap in ates and students, have had the enormous umentary produced by the United Nations African regionalism and development the privilege to journey through life with a bril- African Institute for Economic Development lack of human capacity to manage regional liant academician, a proli c writer, engaging and Planning (IDEP), which recognizes Prof integration processes. His clear-eyed vision intellectual, passionate advocate of African SKB Asante as an iconic “Maker and Shaper to meet capacity needs of regional econom- regional and continental integration, loving of African Development”. ic communities, governments, private sector husband, doting father, and loyal colleague. and civil society is what gave birth to the mis- We celebrate the genius of Prof. SKB Asante Prof. S.K.B. Asante, rest in peace and in sion and vision of the Centre for Regional In- and take pride in his awe-inspiring life’s work, the ever loving embrace of the Almighty. tegration in Africa. which led to the establishment of our Pan 53 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

True Light of heaven, when vict’ry is won may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heav’n’s Sun! Heart of my heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all. MHB 632 (CAN 169) 54 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE TO PROF. S.K.B. ASANTE BY KWASI OKYERE-BOATENG (PROF’S STUDENT IN THE EXECUTIVE MASTER OF ARTS IN REGIONAL INTEGRATION AND AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT [EMRIAD]) “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him”. Thessalonians 4: 13-14. Ihave always known that my purpose in life is to help champi- on the cause for African Regional Integration and Development long before I ever knew what Integration meant. At the time, I did not even know that Regional Integration was a concept and much less did I know how to begin a career in this eld. By fate, I would have the opportunity to have a sit-down with Prof SKB Asante at his residence one October morning in 2019 where I had gone to deliver an invitation to give a Public Lecture at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Sta College concerning the “ e Afri- can Continental Free Trade Area and the implication of it to the Con- tinent”. Both he and I knew that meeting had a touch of destiny about it as Prof and I together dreamed of an economically liberated Africa. at would be the moment he rst introduced me to the EMRIAD programme. As I can now begin to see my purpose in the Integration commencing, I nd myself eternally grateful for the touch of Prof SKB Asante in my life. anks to Prof I can now see my role in the furthering the cause of African Development coming to life and as such, for every success I go on to achieve in my career in Integration, I shall forever give thanks to Prof Asante for triggering my destiny. I will press to make you proud of the future Africa Sir. ank you for opening the door for me. ank you, Sir for showing us the way. You shall forever continue to live in us. Rest now in the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rest in Peace Prof SKB Asante 55 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF MY TEACHER, ishing for you to believe you could achieve MENTOR, AND FRIEND same. at’s how come he became my men- tor. And true to it, the boy from Kwame-Tia – PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE saw myself nishing the University of Ghana, BY VLADIMIR ANTWI-DANSO (PHD) obtaining scholarships to read for the Mas- ters and PhD and two other post-Doctoral “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were degrees. He never called me by my name. He not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come called me ‘Osagyefo’, most o en ‘CPP’, espe- cially because of my dye-in-the-wool rever- again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” ence for Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and John 14:1-4 ESV my association with the CPP. The Legon community knows the A er my sojourn abroad, I returned to Ghana late Prof. S.K.B Asante and me as and our paths crossed again. I was a regular extremely good friends. Yes, they columnist in the ‘Evening News’ and ‘Ghana- may be right, but our relation- ian Times’ and a regular commentator on na- ship goes beyond ordinary friendship. Our tional and international issues. He read each relationship rst started on a Lecturer-stu- article of mine and listened to me on Radio dent foundation, grew into Mentor-mentee or watched me on TV and would send me his relationship and was upgraded into branches comments. en he was appointed as an Ad- of academic tree (of collegial relationship). junct to the Legon Centre for International A airs and Diplomacy (LECIAD), where I e late eminent Professor was one of the was a Senior Research Fellow. It was a good most revered among his peers generally at omen, since we could now meet very o en. the University of Ghana and, particularly, at It was through his instrumentality that ‘Re- the Political Science Department of the Uni- gionalism and Integration’ was made a com- versity of Ghana. He took a liking to me dur- pulsory course for all students of LECIAD. ing my student days. I could walk to his o ce He became my Chief Adviser, when I be- anytime. He was such a able and conversa- came the Director of the Centre. He would tional that, it was a great pleasure listening to jokingly say ‘CPP, you are now my ‘Boss’. ‘No, him. He would always encourage his inter- Sir, you still are the boss’, I would say. locutor to look ahead positively. He would infuse in you his vision about the future of It must be noted that, the late Prof. S.K.B As- Ghana and Africa. He always had a story to ante was the doyen of Integration Studies in tell; a story, whose gist contains seeds of per- Africa. Having worked as the former United severance, hard work, a can-do spirit, a ain- Nations Principal Regional Adviser and Co- ment, etc. ese inspirational words would ordinator of the Multidisciplinary Region- always start with his own story… his humble al Advisory Group at the Cabinet O ce of background, his gradual but calculated rise to the United Nations Economic Commission academic stardom and end with an admon- for Africa (UN-ECA) and having taught in several Universities worldwide in the area of 56 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

African Development, the late Prof. S.K.B others of us as Associate Directors. CRIA e late S.K.B Asante has a huge philanthrop- Asante had a totally unparalled understand- was inaugurated by the then Head of State, ic heart. He established the Professor and ing of the African Problematique and rightly ex-President John Dramani Mahama, with Mrs. SKB Asante Educational Trust Fund, believed that, only Integration would eman- several dignitaries, including former Secre- through which he assisted several students - cipate Africa from the doldrums of stagna- tary General of the OAU, Mr. Edem Kodjo, nancially. As a Dean of Students, I remember tion, decline, and decay. He pursued this call present. e CRIA has since gone ahead to how the late Professor would submit a list of until death. roll out a Master’s Programme in Integra- students to me and ask me to let the Univer- tion at the Ghana Institute of Management sity know that his Foundation was going to One of the things he did for me, and for which & Public Administration (GIMPA), the only cater for them. I should eternally be grateful, was to make an one of its kind in the whole world. international scholar of me. He made me a e world has lost a great man - he was a partner in his Consultancy. He would give I have also had the enviable opportunity to member of the Council of International me assignments and we would receive excel- travel to many places to deliver lectures on Africa Institute based in London (United lent appraisal on our work. We had consul- the same platform with the late Professor Kingdom), Life Member of the Society of tancies from the African Forum and Network – Algiers, Algeria (Organization of African International Development, based in Rome on Debt and Development (AFRODAD), Trade Unions Unity – OATUU – Confer- and of the International Progress Organi- the ECOWAS, the UN, and the EU. He rec- ence); Cairo, Egypt; Kigali, Rwanda; Nairo- zation, based in Vienna. He also served as a ommended me for a Visiting Professorship bi, Kenya; and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (all on consultant to a number of international or- at the United Nations’ Institute for Develop- Conferences on Integration). e late S.K.B ganizations, including the United Nations, ment and Economic Planning (UN-IDEP), Asante has wri en extensively on Africa’s In- World Bank, African Development Bank, the Dakar, Senegal, a position I held for eleven tegration and Development. I am extremely European Union, ECOWAS and the African years, rising to become the Director of the proud to have had the opportunity to review Leadership Forum and was instrumental in Integration Programme. en he decided to some of his books. He seemed to have ded- practicalising the tenets of the NEPAD in Af- ensure that, Integration Studies and/or re- icated his whole life to Integration, noting rica. e Academia in Ghana has lost a giant search in Africa became a reality. Together o en that ‘Integration is a sine-qua-non to and I have lost a bosom friend, a mentor, an with Professor Tlou, and through a series of Africa’s development’. He once told me ‘CPP, antenna to my personal development. meetings, we established the Centre for Re- Africa is the continent that has no right not gional Integration in Africa (CRIA), with to integrate’. Rest in Perfect Peace in the bosom of the him as the Executive Director, and the two Lord, Prof.! 57 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE TO PROFESSOR & MRS. ASANTE visited Prof. and Mrs. Asante in Addis Ababa on FROM THE ANSOANUUR FAMILY one of our annual vacation. We received a warm (James, Elizabeth, Frieda, Mwitse, George, and their husband, wives and children) welcome into their home, and we continued the Dear Prof. S. K. B. Asante (“Akunta”) bond we established in Gainesville. and Mrs. Jane Botwe Asante may family were an inseparable part of the Ansoanuur you both rest eternally in perfect family. He was so close to our children and even Mrs. Asante was very free with our chil- peace. baby sat them and gave each of them a pet name. dren. I remember when we visited them in Addis Our daughter Frieda was “my Honey”, our son Aba, one day my wife and I went out and we le We ( e Ansoanuur family), have known Mwitse was “my good friend” and our last-born our children with her. Our youngest son George the Asantes since 1985, when Prof. S.K.B. Asante son George, was “pugnacious”. Professor S.K.B. wanted to know where we were, and she told him came to Gainesville, Florida as a Professor and Asante le Gainesville in 1986 to work for the we had gone back to Kigali. When we returned African Area Studies Consultant. When Profes- United Nations in Lusaka, Zambia to prepare from our outing and George realized that Mrs sor Asante got to know that my wife, Elizabeth Nambia for Independence. Asante was joking, he said “Auntie Jane, I don’t is Akim, we bounded right away, and he started I continued my PhD studies which I com- like such jokes”, and we all burst out laughing but calling me “AKUNTA”. Our relationship grew pleted in December 1988 and luckily enough, George was very serious. stronger, when his daughter Abena Asante was I got a job through a USAID funded project in sick and needed surgery, but his wife Jane could Kigali, Rwanda. My family and I were in Rwanda My contract with the USAID project in not get a visa to join him and give him the sup- for close to 4 years. During this time, Prof. S.K.B. Rwanda ended in September of 1992 and we port needed during this di cult time. My wife, Asante came to Kigali, Rwanda as leader of a relocated to Gainesville, Florida. Prof. S.K.B. Elizabeth and I, stepped in to give him all the United Nations mission and we invited him and Asante and his wife Jane returned to Gainesville support he needed. I even took o one semester the team to our residence for a meal. Prof. Asante several times to visit friends, their children and from my PhD studies to devote all my time to spent time with our family during his trip and grandchildren. I remember very well each time give him the support he needed. By the grace of we reminisced about our life together in Gaines- he came to visit, he would say “Akunta, take me God, Abena’s surgery was very successful and she ville, Florida. When he completed his job with to the store to buy a few things”. Each time we recovered very well with all the support from the the United Nations in Lusaka, Zambia, he joined went out, we had to stop by Boston Market to entire Ghanaian community in Gainesville. the United Nations Economic Commission for treat ourselves to some Rotisserie chicken and From that time, Prof. S.K.B. Asante and his Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. My family and I buy some for the rest of the family in the house. Prof. S.K.B. Asante and Mrs Jane Botwe Asante, my family and I will surely miss you and all the jokes, infectious smiles, good times and memories we had together in Gainesville and Addis Ababa. We will also miss all the interesting life experiences you shared with us during our time together. May God grant you perfect peace and eternal rest “AKUNTA” and auntie Jane. A word of comfort to the children, grandchil- dren, family and friends of Prof. and Mrs. S.K.B. Asante. “Please do not grieve and shed wild tears And hug your sorrow to you through the years, But start out bravely with a gallant smile. And for our sake and in our name, Live on and do all things the same, Feed not your loneliness on empty days, But ll each waking hour in useful ways, Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer. For we are resting peacefully in heaven”. 58 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE TO PROF. S.K.B. ASANTE ness. And we always admired the love, sup- DR. K.Y. AMOAKO port, and a ention they gave to their four children, and the pride they had in their FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT, AFRICAN CENTER FOR ECONOMIC grandchildren. All of them, I am certain, are TRANSFORMATION, AND FORMER EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, very proud of the wonderful accomplish- UN ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA. ments of their parents and grandparents, as we all should be. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. May both their souls rest in perfect peace. Romans 14:8 W hen I arrived in Addis key institutions in their push towards the elu- Ababa in July 1995 to be- sive goal of regional integration. His passion gin my tenure as the Exec- for the Pan-African ideal was unparalleled, utive Secretary of the UN which he demonstrated time and time again, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), I such as with the establishment of the Center was fortunate to discover that one of the most for Regional Integration in Accra in 2013. In respected and outstanding professionals on many ways, the location of the headquarters the sta was SKB Asante, a fellow Ghanaian. of the African Continental Free Trade Area I had been given the daunting task of trying in Accra seven years later is a ing tribute to to reform the institution to serve Africa bet- SKB’s years of tireless e ort towards the free ter, and I needed all the help I could get. A movement of goods and people across the lot of the sta had li le interest in digging in continent. Furthermore, his participation in their heels and working harder, but a few did, the Governing Council of the National Afri- including SKB Asante. He retired in 1997, can Peer Review Mechanism in Ghana was but in those two short years we made signif- impactful and exemplary, and it marked yet icant progress with his help. SKB’s wisdom, another major contribution to a landmark experience and intellectual prowess made African initiative. him an invaluable advisor and mentor to me as we navigated the range of issues encom- When I heard the news that Jane Asante, passing Africa’s development challenges and SKB’s beloved wife, had passed away a few prospects. months a er him, I was most saddened. But in the weeks since, I have imagined how both But my admiration and appreciation for his are up there with their maker, side by side, contributions extend far beyond our time with the warm smiles on their faces as I got working together. Before I arrived in Addis, to know them in life. Both in Addis and later SKB had spent ve years spearheading the in Accra, my wife Philomena and I became ECA’s multidisciplinary regional advisory great friends with this wonderful couple and services, assisting African governments and enjoyed their warmth, sincerity, and kind- 59 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE TO MRS. JANE ASANTE BY NKOYO E NEM Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 Aunty Jane was a great friend, big sister, and astute colleague. She was an innately talented teacher, and I cherish the many conver- sations we had that le me feeling enlight- ened and invigorated. I love the happy mem- ories that our families created in Addis Ababa and subsequently in North Carolina. Aunty Jane was kind and gracious to her friends. I am honored and blessed to have known her. May her soul rest in perfect peace with our Heavenly Father. May God comfort her family. 60 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE TO THE LATE MRS. JANE ASANTE BY TRINITY UNITED CHURCH, LEGON Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labour, for their deeds will follow them.” (Rev 14:13) Mrs. Jane Asante, popularly called ty and a member of the Finance Commi ee. She danced to almost every beat of a drum, organ or Aunty Jane by members of was by default, an Ex-O cio member of every musical instrument, and with such obvious joy. the congregation joined the commi ee in the Church, and also had oversight She would be seen waving her scarf, taking her Church in about 1978. Over of the Administrative sta of the Church. majestic steps and smiling with every step as she these many years, she demonstrated her com- danced, especially to present her o ering, and mitment to the Church and to the work of God; During her time as Steward, the Church even a er. She was a joy to watch and was such she did not join to be a mere spectator. She had went through some signi cant reforms, includ- an inspiration. a wonderful, friendly and motherly spirit which ing negotiating for, recruiting and nding ac- allowed many people to trust and engage e ec- commodation for an Associate Minister, the rst It was a joy to see Aunty Jane during tively with her. of its kind for the Church. Her success with this Church Easter Picnic events in her white shorts assignment was superb. and sneakers, a empting to jump or run, but Aunty Jane served on several commi ees in always ended up dancing to the music in the the Church, including the Christian Education Aunty Jane, during her time as Welfare Of- background. Her table was always one to visit and Scholarship Commi ees. She served on the cer and even a er, personally visited Church for chilled drinks, sumptuous chicken and many Church Council for several years, which is the members in distress in their homes to pray with other goodies, which she shared freely with who- highest decision-making body of the Church. She and o er them support and comfort. Her moth- ever chose to be there. was appointed as the Church’s Welfare O cer erly character was amazing. During her time in and Chairman of the Welfare Commi ee. She the Church, she arranged for a talk to be given on We could go on and on, narrating what a was later elected as the Steward of the Church in decent dressing for the ladies in the Church. is wonderful mother, friend, sister, mentor, role 2009 to 2011, the rst, and still the only female was also a virtue she herself exempli ed com- model, etc. Aunty Jane was. Su ce it to say, that to hold this position in the Church since its in- pletely. she was one amazing human being that God ception over 50 years ago. e Church Steward is blessed this Church and this generation with, the head of the laity, and as you would expect, is a She volunteered to be the leader of the and we are grateful for her life. Trinity United position that requires one to build and maintain Monday-borns in the Church to help organize Church, Legon, and indeed many of us as individ- really good relationships with a wide range of them to raise signi cant funds for our Church uals will miss her dearly. stakeholders of the Church, including members, Fund raising events. She did this for several years the Trinity eological Seminary management and with great joy. She was a member of the Oso- May our dear mother rest in peace. and other key partners. Aunty Jane excelled in fo Group in the Church. Aunty Jane, da yie. Damrifa due! this role almost e ortlessly. As Steward, she was also the Chairperson of the Sacrist Commi ee, Aunty Jane was well known for her joy- which is responsible for all the Church’s proper- ful dancing at Church and Church events. She 61 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF MRS. JANE ASANTE: (BY EAST-LEGON Y BILLIE KLAER ACADEMY) RESIDENT ASSOCIATION O Death, Where Is Your Sting? Charles H. Spurgeon TRIBUTE FROM It is with deep feeling, great loss, and grief that we pay tribute to one of our founding members of East-Legon Neighbourhood As- ROSEMARY ASSASIE ASARE sociation- (Kay Billie Klaer Academy/Otinshe Area) to Mrs Jane Asante, a ectionately called Auntie Jane, who became the Asso- ciation’s Treasurer. To the Christian death is the exchanging of a tent for a building. Auntie Jane and the family - ( e late Prof. S K B Asante’s) were Billy Graham among the early se lers of our neighbourhood and were instrumental in carving out the enclave mentioned above as the focus of the Associ- It is with much sadness that I bid farewell to such an amazing couple. ation. en there was only one major road that led to this area from the Never in my wildest dream did I imagine I would write a joint tribute. main American House Boundary Road. It was untarred and had no light However, I am comforted that you are both in a be er place and no at night. It was a hide-out for robbers who snatched bags and valuables longer in pain. from people who used that road at night. Auntie Jane with the other I still can’t remember how I started spending holidays in your home, o cers of the neighbourhood, undertook the project of bringing street however, I vividly remember how warmly I was embraced. You took me in, as lights from Boundary Road through Kay Billie Klaer to Otinshie, with one of your own and made sure I was comfortable. You invested a lot of time the generousity of Dr. Siaw Agyepong (Zoom Lion), who procured all and resources into me, unconditionally. I remember daddy waking us up in the needed light poles. the middle of the night to study, as we prepared for the GCE Ordinary Level. For me, the best part was the sweet co ee I got to enjoy, when I managed to Auntie Jane was vocal and bold with strong opinion. She abhored wake up. For a teenager, growing up during the early ‘80s, with famine ravag- the menace of numerous kiosks that do ed the main road in the neigh- ing the country, that was such a wonderful treat. Sometimes, it is very di cult bourhood. We engaged AdMA on several occassions about the menace to assign speci c values to things in your life but I can easily say that the two of these street kiosks and the intermi ent way AMANIE- our neigh- of you played a signi cant role in my success at the O’Level, which ultimately bourhood refuse collector was handling our refuse collection, which created a career path for me. I am forever grateful. eventually led to Zoom Lion taking over that service in our neighbour- hood. Mummy, I remember all the advice, the hugs and kisses. What a warm and a ectionate mother! You even went on a match making mission to make Not only did we miss her for the period she was not able to at- sure I tied the knot, further tightening the bonds between us. I will always tend our Association meetings because of ill health, we missed her wise cherish the few occasions you both got to spend with us in Gainesville. You counsel and her bluntness of confronting issues of our neighbourhood. brought so much joy and laughter to the household. We still remember Dad- Her passionate support for progress and development of our area was dy’s special love for books from “Asew”. Daddy, I remember the jokes, teasing par excellence. and bellowing laughter. It was fun to be around you. Your earthly labour is over. You will forever be in our hearts and It was such an honor to have you in my life. You both had and will always mind. We miss you, especially the o cers of the neighbourhood associ- have a special place in my heart. I will miss you sorely. ation with whom you served diligently. You will always be remembered for your warmth, genuine love and concern for people and especially Agya ni Ena, Rose si oda mo ase! Awurade nfa mo nsie! those of your community. 62 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

The strife is o’er, the battle done; the victory of life is won; The powers of death have done their worst, but Christ their legions has dispersed. Let shouts of holy joy outburst. He closed the yawning gates of hell; the bars from heaven’s high portals fell. Let hymns of praise his triumph tell. from death’s dread sting thy servants free, that we may live and sing to thee. 63 MHB 215 (CAN 69)BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

ABUTSRCIOBDUITAENBSYATSSHOECOILADTION Students in Economics and Social Studies and he duly ful lled this pledge consistently year a er year. He also delivered the maiden Nana Now the laborer’s task is o’er; Sir Ofori A a I Memorial Lecture in March 2006 and launched the Now the battle day is past; 70th anniversary cloth and donated Two ousand Cedis as seed Now upon the farther shore money for the Nana Sir Ofori A a I Assembly Hall Fund. Lands the voyager at last. Father, in thy gracious keeping, In October 2012, Prof. SKB donated six copies each of the 12 books Leave we now thy servant sleeping he had authored to the College Library and at the o cial launch of John Ellerton (1870) the 80th anniversary celebration he donated Five ousand Ghana Cedis to support the programme. (MHB #976) Dearly beloved, on behalf of Old Students of Abuakwa To acknowledge the contributions and support he had visibly com- State College (Old Abuscodians) I pay this tribute to mi ed to the association and the college in particular, he was in Professor Samuel Kingsley Botwe Asante our worthy March 2005 inducted as a member of the Council of Distinguished colleague and trusted father and friend for his im- Alumni (CODA), an honour he so ably deserved and which he ac- mense contribution to, and the invaluable work he did, for the Old cepted with pride. Abuscodians Association (OAA) and for his Alma Mater, Abuakwa State College(Abusco). Indeed Prof SKB has been a pillar of inspiration for all old students and we have come thus far because he has been our support and be- Professor Samuel Kingsley Botwe Asante (Prof SKB) started his sec- nevolent father. ondary school education from 1949 to 1952. A er leaving Abusco, he pursued higher education in History, Economics, International He was a good man, a good man, pure and simple and we are nding Trade and Development and Regional Co-operation and quali ed it extremely di cult to come to terms that he has passed on from us. with a PhD and MSc in Economics and BA in History and equipped thus he rendered meritorious service for many years to the United e OAA and his fellow CODA members will miss him so much for Nations as Regional Advisor to African Governments. He emerged his humility, a able nature, and unending passion for Abusco. We as a distinguished Scholar, Specialist and Consultant in Trade and can only bid him a glorious farewell by ending with Adieu Good and Development, International Co-operation and Management. Loyal Friend! Adieu! Adieu!! Adieu!!! YAANOM – SUSU BIRIBI…………………..YAANOM - SUSUBIRIBI Despite his busy schedules even in his twilight years Prof SKB found time for his alma mater Abuakwa State College in many diverse ways. He served as Chairman of Board of Governors from 1973-1976, a period under his sterling leadership that witnessed remarkable im- provements in the academic outputs of the college. Prof SKB was the Guest Speaker at the 53rd Speech & Prize-Giving Day held on 28th October 2000 and announced the establishment of the Prof. SKB Asante Annual Book Prizes for the First Two Best 64 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE TO PROFESSOR SAMUEL KINGSLEY Political Science the same year. Students who BOTWE ASANTE graduated from the Department of Political Science in the 1970s and 1980s will always re- BY THE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE member Professor Asante as the founder and UNIVERSITY OF GHANA father of the International Politics elective; for before him, International Politics was not a ‘ .....For when the trumpet sounds, the Christians who died will be raised with transformed bodies. component of the Department’s curricula. He And then we who are living will be transformed was one of the few lecturers who came to class dressed in a tie and coat, which endured him to so that we will never die. For our perishable earthly bodies must be transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die.’ the students. (1 Cor. 15:52-53) It was not only the University of Ghana Professor Samuel Kingsley Botwe As- a eld other than Political Science and Inter- that bene ted from Professor Asante’s knowl- ante, a ectionately known to his stu- national Relations. He graduated with a B.A. edge in International Relations and Politics. dents and fellow faculty members as in History from the University College of the In 1975/76 he taught at the State University ‘S.K.B.’, spent thirteen years (1970- Gold Coast in 1959, and MSc. in Econom- of New York (SUNY), Brockport, in the USA; 1983) of his professional academic career at ics in 1967 from the L.S.E. It was at the PhD and in 1979/80 at the University of Calabar, the Department of Political Science, Univer- level that he rmed up his interest in political Nigeria. He also taught at the Harvard and Uni- sity of Ghana. However the impact he made science and international relations, since he versity of Florida, Gainesville in the USA. One and the honour he brought on the name of was already a lecturer in the Department of of the things for which he will be remembered the Department will last many generations. It Political Science. He successfully completed is his role in building the Political Science Stu- was during his time with the Department that his PhD in International Relations at the LSE dents’ Association (POSSA) into one of the he published his two famous works that estab- in 1972. most vibrant student association on the cam- lished him as a prominent African professor of pus of the University of Ghana. He took per- International Politics and International Rela- Before he joined the Faculty of the De- sonal interest in the growth and development tions. partment of Political Science, S.K.B.’s career of the Association, whose slogan is ‘POSSA, path pointed to a career in accounting and au- POSSA, Always Ahead’’. e rst of these works Pan-A ican Pro- diting rather than Political Science and Inter- test: West A ica and the Italo-Ethiopian Crisis, national Relations. Soon a er his graduation e Department will miss Professor As- 1934-42, was published by the famous Lon- in 1959, S.K.B. joined the Audit Department ante because of his dedication and service as don-based Publishers, Longman, in the Legon as an Assistant Auditor and continued to well as book donations that contributed to the History Series. is was his Doctoral esis at work there until 1962 when he was appoint- realization of the mandate of the Department. the London School of Economics and Political ed the Hall Bursar of Akuafo Hall, Universi- Science (L.S.E.). His Supervisors were so im- ty of Ghana. It was from Akuafo Hall that he S.K.B., may your soul rest in perfect pressed with the work that that they gave him joined the academic sta of the Department of peace until we meet on the blessed resurrec- every encouragement to review it for publica- Political Science. tion morning. Amen! tion. e second was Politics of Regional Inte- gration: e case of the West A ican Economic From the very day he joined the for- Community. midable faculty at the Department, S.K.B. worked conscientiously to climb the academ- Nothing in his initial trajectory of Uni- ic ladder. Appointed part-time lecturer in ear- versity education and post-graduation career ly 1970, he became a full-time Lecturer later pointed to the great and famous Professor of in the year. He was promoted Senior Lectur- Political Science and International Relations er in 1976, Associate Professor in 1982 and he later became. He appeared to be heading for appointed the Head of the Department of 65 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE

TRIBUTE TO PROFESSOR SAMUEL Professor Asante, a man with a rare and syn- KWASI BOTWE ASANTE ergistic combination of quicksilver intelli- gence, honest-to-goodness humanity and BY PROFESSOR KOFI ASARE OPOKU irrepressible reserves of boundless energy, has le a blazing trail of achievements and a Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; lasting legacy that resonates happily with the your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Somali proverb, “You won’t last long, leave a Psalm 23:4 legacy.” And, what an uncommonly precious legacy he has le behind! Professor Asante and I met at the University of Ghana, Legon, in October 1956, when both of us were admi ed as honours students: he, in the Department of History and, I, in the Department of Geography. It seemed as if the rm ground for the unquenchable friendship that would develop between us had already been laid when I discovered, startlingly, that he and my elder brother had been classmates and bosom friends during their secondary school days at the Abuakwa State College at Kyebi in the early 1950s. Our friendship deepened and blossomed into a special rela- tionship that richly enriched our lives. We a ectionately called each other “TARMAC,” and the reason for such an unprecedented nickname will remain in exibly undisclosed, as a measure of our solemn commitment to each other! In my review of Professor Samuel Kwa- his hand to show him the way; anybody who Tarmac was a man of uncommon wisdom si Botwe Asante’s absorbing and inex- can rise from such inconspicuousness to the and eminent decency. Unimpeachable hon- pressibly inspiring autobiography, No heights of academic achievement and inter- esty was his forte, and, I could even say, it Road Signs, No Manuals: My Journey national civil service at the United Nations, was his second nature; and his fundamental rough Life, published by Digi Books in and then succeed in rendering inestimable goodness and undeniably instinctive em- 2016, I had the delightfully auspicious occa- service to the entire continent of Africa, and pathy instilled in him a great love of people. sion to say: hasten the decolonization of the last remain- Anybody who can rise from humble and im- ing colonies on the continent of Africa and, is explained his burning passion to go be- penetrable obscurity in an Akyem village, therea er, work relentlessly for regional inte- yond himself to help others and give back not along the railway line, in the Gold Coast, in gration and cooperation in Africa, eminently only to his Akyem community, but also to his the colonial times, without any signs, with- deserves our highest, and, I may add, extrava- own country, Ghana, and even to the entire out any manuals, without anybody holding gant, commendation! continent of Africa. He did all this without seeking glamour or soaring fame and, ada- mantly stayed close to his humble and unas- suming self; and, herein was to be found his remarkable strength as a man. 66 BURIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LATE PROFESSOR S.K.B ASANTE AND THE LATE MRS. JANE BOTWE ASANTE