Feature: Tribute To Ebo Quansah By Son

Ecclesiastes 3: 1- 8

A Time for Everything

 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

     a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
    a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
     a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

I was first exposed to this scripture during my primary school days when our headmaster always read this scripture at the beginning of each school term to teach us the invaluable lesson of a season for everything. It did not make much sense to us back then since we were usually grumpy at the loss of the joys of the vacation and dismayed at the resumption of another school term. It was later in my growing up that I began to appreciate this scripture and find it the most appropriate scripture to begin this tribute.

My relationship with my father in my early years started as one from a long distance since as fate will have it, he was forced into exile in the United Kingdom when I was barely 2 years old. But I recall the occasional gifts and cash he used to send through friends of his and it was always a pleasure when my mum informed me that he had sent some items and we would go and meet up with the person and collect same.

I was filled with pride as a young lad when with my football loving friends we would go to the school library to read the now defunct West Africa magazine and see your articles in the sports section as well as when the dad of a good friend of mine returned from U.K. and brought a copy of the Soccerhene magazine for which you were a contributing editor.

I recall with nostalgia that day when, as a student at Achimota School, during our usual visiting days, I was informed that I had a visitor, and it was my father. He made the effort to look for me and even picked me up from school at the end of that academic term. That vacation was one of my best as he took me around and to visit his friends and explained to me why he had to flee Ghana into exile and was then visiting Ghana since the country had returned to democracy and it was relatively safe for him to return. On his subsequent return he always made it a point to come take me out to some of his social gatherings and key among them were the Old Vikings Association gatherings.

It came as no surprise that when it was time to proceed to the University of Ghana in 2000, he insisted that Mensah Sarbah Hall was the only hall of residence for me, I recall he taking me to the then Hall Master, Prof. Kwesi Yankah and insisted that I be sent to Sarbah Annex B (aka Okponglo) because in his words I was too calm for his liking. My first falling out with you was when I decided to drop Political Science as a course of study and opt for my preferred combination of Economics and Geography. You later understood my choice and gave your blessing.

After my graduation you were around and offered your words of counsel when I called on you, although we had our points of disagreement, you were on hand to give your support when I explained my choice and he was around to offer his support. When I took the decision to quit my job to enable me to focus on my legal education, you understood my decision although you had concerns about how I was going to care for my family. Upon my successful Call to the Bar in 2018, you did your best to secure a job for me, although you were unsuccessful, I did appreciate your efforts to assist.

You always had a welcoming spirit and generous to all who needed your assistance. My wife and daughters always looked forward to a visit to you because there was an assurance of goodies from Grandpa. The girls will always ask when you will go to Ekumfi because they knew for a fact that pineapples and Ekumfi fruit juice was assured. In the recent past when you started the catfish farming this was another attraction for the girls because there was an assurance of leaving with a catch of fresh catfish.

You would always insist that it is important for your grandchildren be eloquent in our local languages and learn about our culture as well. Your words of wisdom to them on the importance of education and excelling in their academics drawing on your own experience made this task easier for me since I could always use you as a point of reference.

You made it a point to celebrate your 75th birthday and 50 years in journalism in Ekrawfo to serve as motivation for the children of the community. After the said birthday whenever there was an issue with your health and I wanted us to take necessary steps to get you the best care possible you will calmly say that for you the Lord has been good to you, and you are in extra time so I should focus on my young family.

You have served well and played your part, now go rest in the bosom of your creator, until that day when we shall meet again in the new Jerusalem.

Da yie.

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