It has been a difficult few months. Seeing you struggle against death; knowing it could be the last time we saw you breathing, alive; your quiet departure and then throughout the meticulous preparation for your funeral, things have been tough. With all of us in different countries working together to give you a deserving send-off, it has been a most difficult time.
But, these circumstances have also served as a big re-bonding exercise for all eight of us, your children, our 19 children and all. Your passing has brought us closer together as a family. It is as if we took your presence for granted. If it is any consolation, your absence has rather made us better recognise our oneness – as a family. We thank you.
The family tree which you planted from 1958, with the birth of Big Sis Yaa Maggie Abrafi, continues to grow and grow lushly with love and bonding. We, your children, our children and their children: THANK YOU!
We thank you for being our father, our grandfather and our great grandfather. For some of us, you were two in one: our father and, in many ways, also our mother. We thank you for being there for us. We thank you on behalf of all the other lives you touched, helped, and saved. We thank you for being you.
You were firm, but kind and attentive. We appreciate the time and energy you spent emphasizing the value of hard work and integrity to us, when we were growing up. We treasure those important life lessons, which have stood us well. We couldn’t have asked God for a father better than the father we had in you.
All is well, for you prepared us well. Even as you rest, we are confident you are resting from your labours, with pride and satisfaction, for your purpose on this earth is served. For, from your seeds and nurturing, all of us have matured into responsible mothers and fathers and even grandparents.
And, so shall your descendants spread, far and wide, adding onto the impact that your own life – as a father, an uncle, a chief, a doctor and a teacher – made on the lives of people from all walks of life in many countries in Africa and beyond. You served your family well. You served humanity well.
The last time we all came together like this, Daddy, was for a happy occasion – the celebration of your 80th birthday in 2017. We felt warm inside seeing the tears of joy in your eyes. They were tears of a man who had loved and was feeling very well-loved in return. The twinkle in your eyes was as radiant as royal jewels. We danced for you! You smiled at us!
Last year must have been a difficult year for you. You helped us bury two of our mothers: your first and second wives in succession, Madam Yaa Asoah and Prof Paulina Kitcher, in January and February 2020. Indeed, you were always there with us to bid farewell to the four mothers of your children, all eight of us, beginning with Ma Sophia who died in 2009, Ma Maggie in 2011, then Ma Paulina and Ma Yaa, who both died in late 2019.
This year, it is our turn to come together, not only to say goodbye to you, Daddy, but, more importantly, to say, THANK YOU! THANK YOU, DADDY!
You were a humble man of royal blood; you never liked to be the centre of attention. You would rather pay attention to the needs of your children and grandchildren. For you the things that mattered most included: Education, Profession and Integrity. You instilled that in us. And, we thank you.
You left behind your wife, Mrs. Felicia Otchere-Darko (a retired state attorney), your eight children, namely, Mrs. Margaret Otchere-Darko Asiedu (a retired Care Worker in London, UK), Mr. Joseph Otchere-Darko Jnr. (an ex-Banker in London, UK), Dr. Paulina Kitcher deGraft-Johnson (Psychiatrist, Neurologist, in New York City, NY, US), Gabby Yaw Asare Otchere-Darko (Barrister & Solicitor, Accra, Ghana), Dr. Leticia Otchere-Darko (Anaesthesiologist, Assistant Professor, Clinical Anaesthesiology, Yale, New Haven, CT, US), Ms. Becky Otchere-Darko (ICU & Research Nurse, Essex, UK), Mrs. Daisy Okyere (Attorney, Houston, Texas, US) and, myself, your last born, Dr. Josephine Otchere-Darko, (Physician and Public Health Specialist, Johannesburg, South Africa). You also left behind 19 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Indeed, your work on this earth has been completed, Dad!
You remain in our thoughts, and in our hearts as you are in our DNA. But, we promise not to focus so much on the void your absence creates but on what value we add to this world from the ever-bearing fruits that come from your everlasting tree.
We will never forget you and your smile, your wisdom, your grace, your dignity, your humility and your humanity.
We shall miss the sound of your music.
Rest well, Daddy
Your deed is done
Done and done well
The sun has gone to bed
And so must you, dad!
Hamba Kahle, go well
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye!
Read by his youngest child, Dr Josephine Otchere-Darko
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