As a child, my ambition was to work at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, GBC. I wanted to be like my uncle, Mr. Daniel Adjei, who had a distinguished career at GBC. I left Ghana, and that dream shifted to Teaching. When the opportunity came to work at WHPK 88.5 Rendezvous Africa, I did not hesitate to say Yes with all my might. I had the singular honor of working with my Uncles, Osofo Kwasi Yeboah, Mr. Agyeman-Badu, and, as we called him, Uncle Nana Akwasi. Of course, we had our discussions about who was the best Ghanaian musician, and if you know me, you know my favorite…. the legend Kojo Antwi. Memories at WHPK will always be among the best for me here in Chicago. Of sorts, it fulfilled my childhood ambition and dream. Today, I fondly remember our days at the radio station, where I had the opportunity to work with Uncle Nana Akwasi. He was calm and eloquent, and he showed me the ropes at times.
When the opportunity came to interview GhanaFest attendees in Chicago, Nana Akwasi was one of the interviewees who agreed to my request to be interviewed. It was a fantastic interview with a lot of memories to cherish.
Thank you for the opportunity, Uncle Nana Akwasi Appiah. Rest in Perfect Peace!
Once again, grief has engulfed the Ghanaian community in Chicago when the death of Nana Akwasi Appiah was announced on social media platforms in the Ghanaian community. Many in the community did not know that Nana Akwasi had been ill for a while and were shocked to hear the announcement of his sudden demise. He was 65.
Nana Akwasi, as he was popularly known, was a darling to all during his time as the Asantefuohene of Chicago and the Midwest. His reign witnessed sustained growth in membership and solidarity among the rank and file of the Association. He was affable and respected by all. Indeed, all adored him for his patience and the wisdom he carried. He and others in his royal court were inaugurated on August 30, 1997. He successfully reigned for three three-year terms.
He was one of the founding members of the now-defunct Sahara Soccer Club, a strong Ghanaian soccer Team in Chicago that saw the likes of the late Gordon Prempeh and Thomas Adade(Father), both of Asante Kotoko fame and others in the team.
Messages of his death and condolences have been pouring in from members of the Ghanaian community in Chicago and across the USA.
Nana Addai Baffour, Asantefuohene of Chicago.
In a message to the Ghanaian community members regarding the passing of his predecessor, the current chief, Nana Addai Baffour, wrote: On behalf of the Asanteman Association of the Midwest, and my behalf, I regret to announce the death of Nana Akwasi Appiah. The sad event occurred yesterday, February 25, 2024, while he was receiving hospice care at Rush Presbyterian Hospital Chicago, Illinois. I extend my deepest heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, members of Asanteman, and the Ghanaian Community in general in this hour of sorrow and deep sadness. Nana Akwasi Appiah was a strong advocate and voice for the custodianship of our culture. He often represented the Asanteman Association at events when he was in and out of office. May his soul rest in Peace. We will notify the community of any further arrangements in due time.
Nana Attakora Amaniampong New York Asantefuohene
Nana Attakora Amaniampong New York Asantefuohene: With Heavy Heart, I would like to send my condolences to the bereaved family From all the people of New York and ACONA. We say Rest well, Nana Akwesi Appiah. God knows Best.
Evelyn Tetteh, Church of the Ghanaian Community: On behalf of the Church of the Ghanaian Community, we extend our sincerest condolences to the bereaved family. Our thoughts and prayers will be with the family in these difficult times. May the Good Lord console your hearts.
Mama Sedudzi (Empress Mawusi) Rt. Hand Queenmother, Ewe Association, and CEANA TV cohost: Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your beloved Husband and father. My family and I share your grief. Remember that those that we dearly love do not go away. They walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always nearby. Still loved and still dearly missed. May his soul rest in eternal Peace, and may the loved ones left find condolence in the arms of the Almighty.
Benjamin Ayensu BA Association President, Chicago: So sad! Another blow to the community. Nana Akwasi Appiah, the former Asantefuohene of Chicago, passed this afternoon at 5 pm. Stay tuned for details!
Reverend Kwasi Yeboah, community elder and pastor, now relocated to Ghana : My brother from another mother Rest In Peace.
Nana Kobiwa-Akwa III, a former community elder and resident of Chicago, now Queenmother, relocated to Ghana : Nana, you will be missed. SLEEP WELL, MY friend.
Maxwell Akenten, community elder : I’ve just been informed Nana Akwasi has just passed away.
Comfort Afriyie, community elder: Nana, may your soul rest in perfect Peace. Sleep well.
Betty Agyeman, community elder: Nana, rest in perfect Peace.
Kofi Boache-Ansah, elder in the community: Was he sick? Why are our people falling like that? It’s becoming too painful to bear to lose people you have been privileged to have had close contact with at a point in time. Obr3fo ba Rest In Peace.
Unknown sender: Nana Akwasi, my friend, brother, and former Chicago Sahara Soccer Teammate, rest in perfect and eternal Peace. May your memories bless all who knew you and crossed paths with you. May you rise with glory on Resurrection Day.Nana , Damirifa Due; Due ne Amane Hunu
Ofori Community elder: Be strong. My heart and prayers are with you and your family.
Theo Darko, community elder : Rest in Peace, Akwasi. The family and the community are in our prayers.
Pat Eghan, former community elder now relocated to Ghana : Nana this world is not ours. Rest in perfect Peace. Wofa Yaw Nyarko, community elder : Nana Akwasi, may your soul rest in Peace
Keith , community member : The life cycle is understandable, but some news leaves you speechless. RIP.
A memorial service for the late Ghanaian actor, Vincent E. McCauley was held yesterday , February 14, 2024, at Soul Clinic International School in Cantonments, Accra.
It was attended by family, students, and loved ones including some actors who performed in “Things We Do For Love”. Sported among the mourners were the legend Ghanaian rapper Reggie Rockstone, Actor and Politician, John Dumelo, also present was Ivan Quarshiega who was the Director and Producer of “Things We Do For Love.
The service was dubbed: “Celebration Of A New Life In God’s Domain And Not Of This World .
The Vincent E McCauley was an avid actor who starred in numerous films and television productions, including his celebrated role as “Max” in the popular series ‘Things We Do For Love’ and ‘My Very Ghanaian Wedding,’ among others.
He died on January 19, 2024, in South Africa and has since been buried.
“Teach a child the way they should go and they will not depart from it when they grow”
My late mother taught me everything she knew. As her daughter, I can cook everything an Ewe girl should know. From ewordemi, amorkple, ewokple, fietsienu, fetri gboma, sorbui, armadetsi, abobitadi to ademe and more.
As a Catholic I met many caucasian Priests and Reverend Sisters. Many of them taught us so much which I still cherish. Mrs. Valerie Sackey stands tall among the “white” people I met as a child.
I entered St Louis Secondary School in Kumasi in the late seventies. I was 11 years old.
It will be a lie if I said mama taught me about CASSEROLE either as a meal or a container. That Knowledge was imparted to me by my teacher, Mrs Valerie Anne Sackey.
I cannot recall the exact lesson she was teaching us that day but I recall that she asked us if we knew what a CASSEROLE was and we all responded that we didn’t know what it was.
To my surprise, she came to class the next time with a bowl of CASSEROLE as a dish and as a meal. She made us taste it. I have never forgotten about the experience and the amazing teacher who gave me that lesson. She taught us Geography but for me she taught me English too. I paid particular attention to her to pick expressions, pronunciation, phonetics, syntax and more.
She didn’t only give me knowledge in geography but life lessons on how to make an impact in whatever field I find myself. Because of that experience in school, I love to take time to make younger people understand whatever I teach and share with them.
Mrs. Sackey, as we called her, also gave us her daughter Anne Sackey who I love to call ASANTEWAA. Because of mother and daughter, I have learnt to be supportive of the underdog in every situation.
I am proud of the history I share with Mrs. Sackey beyond St. Louis Secondary School. I met her most times at the Castle when she served in the government of President Rawlings. I would walk up to her and introduce myself over and over again and pay my curtesy. She would respond warmly.
In recent times I have asked that ASANTEWAA send CASSEROLE warm greetings from me. I do not recall ever asking her to greet Mrs. Valerie Sackey for me. It is always my regards to CASSEROLE.
Just as midnight struck to usher us into 2024 and I shouted to myself “WELCOME 2024, please be kind”, I saw my phone blink. I picked it and saw a message from my sister, ASANTEWAA.
“Happy new year. Your casserole passed away. Asem ato y3n.” It was a simple message but one that made me cry like a child on the first of January 2024.
Procrastination indeed has robbed me of the opportunity to visit her as I planned. May your gentle soul find rest. I will never forget you Mrs. Valerie Anne CASSEROLE Sackey.
The death of Mrs. Marian Hornsby-Odoi, retired Director of Nursing Services, was reported in Accra a few weeks back. See the flyer for details of her funeral arrangements.
