Justice Sai eulogizes the late Lawyer Akoto Ampaw

You’ve seen hundreds of fresh wigs. Now, have a look at this. Yesterday, it rained lawyers. In the middle of that rain, the thunderous news of a legend struck through.

A legend had, without leave, taken leave of the temporal bar. In many minds, he was cast a lawyer – a calling he executed with exceptional skill and competence, evidence of which lay in the texture of his wig.

Yet, in many hearts, Sheeysheey was a revolutionary. A contemporary of the Rawlingses, the Tsikatas, the Baakos, the Amidus, and the Pratts of this world. Like the young people of their day, he stood for what he believed in, with total disregard for dear life or limb.

Like the young people of his day, he crossed the path of power, faced barrels and paid for it in gaols. And, like the young people of his day, he gave no mind to his stomach nor the infrastructure which contained it. In thought, he was of the old.

Yet, of the future – the young – at heart. He was, by this seeming contradiction, constituted into a dire need of my day – a bridge between the old and the new. A role I, by association with him, know he played tactfully yet courageously! Tools of oppression power deployed against outspoken youth of my day. Tools of resilience he provided to the system’s victims. Costly time, effort, skill, good counsel, and money he offered the victims of the system’s oppression. He expected nothing in return.

Now, he is called again, but to the bar up yonder, where he will continue to plead the causes of men – men and women – before his Maker. May Ghana never lack his kind. Hedenyuie, amega.

Da yie.

By Justice Sai