People from all walks of life trooped to Eyan Essiam in the Central Region on Saturday, February 18, 2023 to mourn with Hon. Sampson Ahi, Member of Parliament (MP) for Bodi in the Western Region during the final funeral rites observation of his late father, Papa Joshua Kwabena Awusi.
They included politicians, the clergy a retinue of Chiefs and their linguists, Queen Mothers, the security, musicians, traditionalist among others.
Also among them were top officials of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) including former Vice Presidential candidate to John Mahama, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, immediate-past National Chairman Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, National communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, Central and Western North Regional Chairmen as well as party officials from these region and more.
Mahama Was Dully Represented
Former President and presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama (JDM) who could not attend in person, was dully represented by Prof Kofi Aseidu, Central Regional Chairman of the NDC.
Leadership of Parliament, MPs Were There too
Leadership of parliament, comprising First Deputy Speaker, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and the Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson who also doubles as the MP for the area, were all there.
Other MPs present included Hon. Eric Opoku, Minority spokesperson and Agriculture, and MP for Asunafo South, and a very bossom friend of Hon Ahi, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, MP for Juaboso and Minority spokesperson on Health, Richard Acheampong, Bia East, Hon. Ekow Payin Aduamoah, former MP for Gomoah West and current Central Regional chair of the party.
Also in attendance were Officials from the Bodi District Assembly, chiefs from Sefwi Suano, Datano, Bodi, Akontombra as well as chiefs from the Central Region, including Nana Kwasi Ankah VIII chief of Odonase and Tufuhene of the Abora traditional Area, who happens to be brother to the late Paapa Awusi.
Music Flowed and Dancing Was Abundant
In attendance was the “Adze wo fie a, Oye” live band from Apam junction, which ditched out irresistible dancing tunes thereby sending chiefs to the floor, dancing profusely.
Man’s Best Deceiver Is Himself
In the ensuing thanksgiving service in the Jesus Christ of the Later Day Saint Church at Enyan Denkyira, former president of the church Gabriel Mensah, observed that man’s best deceiver was himself.
This is because he believes in his church as the best, and yet live contradictory lifestyle to Christianity.
While charging Christians to repent properly to enable them enter into the kingdom of God, after death he indicated that man will never live on this earth forever. One should therefore do things right because “We know our birth dates, but our death days we do not know”! He hinted.
He maintained that in case of accidental, untimely death, what accounts-does one give to God. “Man must therefore repent properly for forgiveness before such unfortunate incident”. He admonished.
Citing Job 20:14 Mr. Mensah indicated that man is not here on earth for nothing but for a purpose. He stated that following the fall of man – Adam & Eve, man now suffers physical death. Therefore one must live his life well so as to enable him join his maker after death.
On his part, Bishop Samuel Antwi of Agona Ward, Cape Coast, charged Christians to endeavor to believe in Christ, learn, pray and fast and not believe in materialism, since that does not ensure salvation. He cited Mathew 5:1-12 and 36:40-49 to buttresses his case.
By S.O Ankamah