Hannah Amponsah Baffoe(Aunty Hannah)

Trbiute to My Grandmum

Mama Hannah, was the greatest grandmum I could ever ask for. She was beautiful even in her old age; and she was kind, smart, honest, but also old fashioned. She was a disciplinarian by nature.

Mama Hannah, like every other grandparent, always gave me advice, and everyone around her. She was always eager to recieve advice from other people. She always told me to learn hard, believe in God, and show respect to the elderly, so that when I become a man and start living on my own, life wold be comfortable for me. She also told me that everyone would not be around forever so it is always good to take advantage of whatever you have.

Just as the saying goes "man came, saw and conquered", I think that grandmum came, saw and conquered.

Grandmum, may you rest in perfect peace

We will miss you.

You are the greatest grandmum I could ever ask for.

Kwabena Gyimah-Asante

Tribute by Grandchildren

Grandparents are special people with wisdom and pride. They always offer love and kindness and are always there to listen and to guide. They make you feel confident and strong. Their arms are always open no matter what you do wrong. They love all their children and grandchildren equally, whether you are a child, woman, or man. They always show you respect, and give their love, unconditionally.

     Grandparents are the perfect examples of the kind of persons that we should all endevour to be.

Nana Hannah was no different. She had all these qualities and so much more. She was always ready for a good conversation and eager for advice. Nana will always lend a helping hand without expecting anything in return. Her love and support have made the world of a difference in our lives.

For even those who spent but a moment with her, her vigor was apparent. Those of us who were only able to spend a few moments with her in life are sorely disappointed; she always reminded those of us living outside of Ghana that we must never forget where we come from or who we are. No matter where we were, we were to remeber that we were Ghanaians, members of her family. Grandmother would dole out wisdom and advice to those nearby. She treated like family those she had met for the first time. It makes one sad to think of the passing of such a teacher.

Nevertheless, even in our moment of despair, we are reminded of the legacy she left behind. Her strong Christian example, her model of how to bear the burdens of life, the way she raised her children, have influenced each and every one of us. Grandmother taught our fathers and mothers the morals we now live by, and encouraged them as they began their own lives. By making sure our parents respected the value of education and hardwork, she guaranteed a better life for not only us, but also her descendants yet unborn.

Moreover, even still, she did not forget about us, her grandchildren. Whenever we came to visit, grandmother would ask about how our schooling was going, what we planned to do afterwards, if there was anything we needed from her. Grandmother was always willing to give herself and her time, even when it cost her pain, even when it inconvenienced her. We love our Grandmom for the blessings she poured upon us, and thank God for bestowing her on us.

She was a blessing to all who knew her, and especiially those who partook and did not realize it. Her influence reaches out to her children, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren, and those yet unborn. We thank God for placing in our lives a woman who not only served the Lord through the nurturing of this family, but through teachings of hardwork and determination.

May the Good Lord always give us the kind of strength, courage, and endurance that Nana demonstrated throughout her life, so that we can all live lives as fruitful as hers.

Nana, you would forever be missed by all. Until we meet again in Odomankoma's bosom, all your grandchildren say:

"Da Yie"

"Damirifa Due"

"Ye wo duoba"

Rest in Perfect Peace.

On behalf of the grandchildren by

Nana Kwame Owusu-Boaitey, University of Maryland at BC, USA

and Stanley Asante-Berko, Methodist University, Accra

My mother lost her first two children. She went on to have six more who are all alive today. I grew up, with my brothers and sisters, calling my mother "Auntie Hannah" because that was how everyone around called her.

She did not have formal education, but appreciated its value. Her understanding and approach to life was pragmatic, and yet futuristic. Indeed, Auntie was ready to sell her clothes tinkets, or even borrow ro support education. She struggled, sometimes alone, to get money to educate us.

When I completed class six at Bomfa United Primary School in 1971, she sent me to Kumasi to live there with my father and for him to continue with what she had started. When sometimes the going got tough in Kumasi, she was ready to step in; she would take me around to go borrow money to help pay my school fees. Auntie, you were there all the time and helped to make me a physician, a doctor of medicine.

She continued with her relentless effort at educating us; she struggled but made it with Kwasi Gyimah who is a chartered accountant, and currently a Deputy Commissioner at VAT Service in Accra. She succeded with Kwame Fenteng, who is also a chartered certified accountant, and currently an Internal Auditor at the Revenue Agencies Governing Board (RAGB).

It was particularly difficult with Kwame Agyei, but she never gave up and even whilst on her death bed she continued to help mold him. Kwame is now a senior officier with the VAT Service.

She did the best she could with my two sisters, Yaa Nyarko and Akua Ohenewah. They are both currently successful in their own right as traders.

Auntie did not care for her children only, but also played very important roles in the lives and education of some of her nieces, nephews and step-children.

Auntie, your insistence that the right thing is done at the right time has resulted th modest achievements we have had in life. More importantly, your belief in us made us believe in ourselves. Among her legacies, and they are many, she had a way of making people believe in their own talents and be content with their achievements.

Auntie, you've taught us to respect our elders and we will always do so; you taught us to be humble and we promise we will always show humility in every aspect of our lives. King Solomon wrote in the Bible, in Proverbs 10:1, that the wise son brings joy to his father, but the foolish son brings grief to his mother. Auntie, we will be wise and will cherish your memory forever.

Auntie, we, your children, could provide no better monument to your memory than to ensure perpetual unity and love for one another.

Even though your spirit has gone to a better place, to a better world, you will be in our hearts forever.

Auntie, Da Yie

On behalf of the children by

Dr. Kofi Owusu-Boaitey, Maryland, USA.

                            Tribute by Dr. Osei Akwasi Afrifa, Italy

i virtually grew up in your company and protection.in 1958 i was barely ten,osei kwame seven,kwasi badu five and afia one year and half;this was the year our dad sent us away together with mum (afua dufie,your cousin) from his house to give way to a brand new younger wife.your father,nana issah baffoe and of course, all of you, his children received us with open arms and the affection we all badly needed.you, maame hana in particular,were very much attached to my mum and i remember vividly how you used to rush to fight alongside her protecting her against verbal abuse and insults coming from my dad's new wife supported by her three sisters and their mother,(almost always at same spot;in front of the bomfa market).you therefore, by your fearlessness taught me the value of fraternity and solidarity between members of our extended family system.you used to show openly your love as well as respect for me by calling me 'me-wofa-saa-kwasi'(my uncle osei akwasi),because i was named after nana issa's beloved and brave brother nana osei kwaku,mom's daddy who died young. i remember very well the 'two-man' intimate conversations you used to have with mum after supper on that small verander in front of the room we shared with her,sleeping on straw mats in front of her bed.i must confess i more often than not eavesdropped, 'cause i was curious to know what you were 'gossiping' about. but the only thing i heard you two talking about was always the family history and your desire to do do everything possible to foster such capable personalities out of your own siblings,''even if it means  selling our last cloths''.lo and behold,maame hana,your desire and your dreams have come true out of your determination ,courage and tenacity.you continued to impart to me your wisdom till the last instance (in august-september 2007),and i promise you i will also pass it to the next generation without fail-the importance of fraternal love and solidarity in our big family! maame hanna,goodbye and tell 'maame donkor' that i miss her a lot.....