"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven; a time to be born and a time to die; a time to sow and a time to reap." Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2
On June 5th 1933 Madam Hannah Adwoa Amponsah Baffoe was born to the late Opanin Kwasi Dente Baffoe, alias Papa Issah, and Maame Abena Konadu (Maame Sonomata) of Bomfa, who a year before, were among the pioneers who had settled at the present Bomfa from the old settlement around the Railway station. She was named after her paternal grand father, Nana Kwame Amponsah, who was then the chief of Akyem Chia. Hannah was the second child among her generation born at this new site.
She grew up under the strict Islamic discipline of her parents, particularly that of her father whose unique characteristics reflected dominantly in her personality throughout her life.
Hannah was impeccably domesticated. Being their first child, the parents resisted the temptation of pampering and over-protecting her in a way that might have been detrimental in her future life. She was very serviceable, and showed a keen sense of responsibility whenever the occasion demanded her involvement. Her cooking was superb.
In the early 60's, she married Mr. Yaw Asante (deceased), a cocoa purchasing clerk from Agogo. Adwoa performed both her duty as a mother and wife with distinction by providing leadership, acting as an intercessor, giving direction, and providing guardianship. She took up trading and subsistence farming to support her husband in the up-bringing of their children. Her husband's vocation, which required movement from one cocoa producing area to another, saw her traveling within the Ashanti region and to parts of the Central and Western regions, particularly, to towns like Agogo, Konongo, Dunkwa, Bogoso, Tarkwa etc.
Despite the fact that Adwoa had no formal education, she was a good match in arguments with the classroom educated showy brain. She was witty, intelligent, articulate and formidably knowledgeable. Her courage and fortitude in meeting challenging situations was praise-worthy. Indeed Adwoa was a good historian and was very much interested in politics.
The most conspicuous aspect of her nature was her fearlessness in pursuing the truth, despite its attendant unsavoury consequence. Indeed a very strong character she was.
Amponsah had respect for formal education, and so with frantic dtermination, she and her husband did their best to give their children the best education they could afford. Their vision and determination yielded positive results, visibly seen in the academic and professional achievements of their children, whose sevices to the nation are manifestly seen in the fields of medicine, accountancy and trade.
Adwoa was very dynamic and progressive. Not only did she contribute immensely in terms of her time and resources to support the education of her children, but she also evolved strong alliances with family members and individuals who collectively supported the children's education.
Over the past few years, she became terminally ill, and despite the untiring efforts of her children in providing her the best medical care, she peacefully passed away on the 11th of February 2008, survived by six (6) children and eighteen (18) grandchildren.
Indeed, knowing that she had accomplished her divine and parental task with distinction, she departed, significantly, on a Monday, the day on which she was born, to her maker. I believe that she is happily walking tall to render a satisfactory account to her maker.
When the day of toil is done,
When the race of life is run
Father, grant your wearied ones
Rest for ever more.
Adwoa, 'Mo ne yo' and rest in perfect peace.
By Nana Effah Baffoe, Abusuapanin and Bomfa Krontihene