Tribute Written by Dr. Mark Awuku (Brother)
Mr Emmanuel Adi Ampofo was born on August 5, 1945 at Akropong -Akuapem in Ghana. He was the son of the late Madam Elizabeth Okromea Awuku and Mr. William Adi Kisiedu (Ghana). He was the second of nine children.
He attended Presbyterian Primary School and Demonstration Middle School at Akropong Akuapem. Following that he wanted to pursue a career in business and so he went on to obtain a higher diploma in accounting. Emmanuel proceeded to work with the international companies Union Carbide and Sanyo Ghana Limited as an accounting officer in Accra, Ghana.
Emmanuel (affectionately called Kwame as is customary because he was born on a Saturday ) had always been a very enterprising person right from childhood. He had an exceptional determination to move forward in life at all times.
Having parents who were both farmers and especially our father who was a very renowned cocoa farmer, Emmanuel had an interest in farming. He pursued that passion and set up a commercial oil palm plantation in Ghana. The farm which has received notable recognition in the past continues to be productive to this day.
Our siblings comprised nine children; six boys and three girls and the first five were boys. I mention this because the boys had to learn how to cook and do a lot of other chores. Emmanuel ended up being a very good cook. Just mention what you wanted to eat and he got it done at a professional level. He had an exceptional quality of keeping family together. Kwame was always reliable and trustworthy. He was someone who could be trusted in getting things done. He never turned his back to anyone in need. Socially he was known by many. His presence at functions brought extra energy and life. He knew almost everyone everywhere he found himself.
Emmanuel then proceeded to the United States of America in 1978 where he resided until his peaceful passing on May 22,2020 at Boston Medical Centre. He had six children. Eizabeth, Adi and Yirenkyiwa in Ghana; Kwasi, Tiffany and Emmanuel in the United States.
Kwame has had a good life and he said it himself before he passed. I cannot finish this without mentioning how deep his knowledge was. He knew the history of almost everything and anytime any of us needed information we had no difficulty knowing who had the answer. We asked him how he came to know so much and his answer had always been “I read and I talk to people.”
Siblings: Kingsley Adi Bediako(deceased),Mark Awuku; William Kyei, Nelson Keteku , Rosemond Mintah(deceased); Francis Mintah ; Gladys Sarkwa ; Doris Akuffo. He is also survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews.
The saying that it takes a village to raise a child holds true in our Ghanaian culture and it is customary to acknowledge some of our family elders who had an impact on Emmanuel’s life in various ways. The elders on his father’s side of the family include Abusuapanyin K. Awuku Lokko , Abusuapanyin Kwasi Appeakorang ; Opanyin Kofi Nyante ; Abrewatia Florence Anima Ofori. On his mother’s side of the family Madam Elizabeth Akosua Frempomaa; Opanyin Awuku Yirenkyi(deceased),Opanyin Kwabena Amponsah; Abusuapanyin Kwaku Osei, Navy Capt.(rtd.) William Kwaku Larbi.
Kwame, we thank God for giving you to us and all the positive influences you had on the family as a whole. You loved life and you lived it. Your enthusiasm and drive to succeed was contagious and we thank you for that. Your invaluable pieces of advice had a positive impact on many of us. The Lord has given and the Lord has taken. The battle is the Lord’s and the praises and thanks go to Him. Rest in God’s perfect peace dear brother.