The king said …, "Don't you know that today a leader, a great man, has fallen… ?” 2 Samuel 3:38

Indeed, "dupon kɛse bi atutu!" Asokore Aduana family, has lost a patriarch, teacher, counsellor, mentor, mediator, friend, grandfather, father, uncle, brother and son.

Mr Amos Kwasi Amofah (aptly known as Teacher) was without a doubt the most affable, observant, attentive and knowledgeable man I ever met. Compassionate and humble, he represented the man we all aspire to be. He was much loved and respected.

Early Life

The late Amos Kwasi Amofah was born on 19th April 1936, in Asokore to Pr Amos Kofi Amofah of the Ekuona family of Ahensan and Asokore and Mrs Susana Amofah (traditionally known as Afia Asantewaa or Afia Bio) of the Aduana clan of Akokoaso and Asokore. He was the eldest of fourteen siblings.

During his early childhood, the family led a rather nomadic life following his father on his numerous SDA mission work transfers. Notable among the towns they traversed are Agona, Krofa, Ahensan, Kwadaso and Konongo. As he grew older, his family felt the need for a more stable home life to enable him complete his education. He was, therefore, sent to live with his father’s friend and his mentor, Mr I K Ansong at Agona. It was during this time that he developed a life-long friendship with one of his classmates, Mr Owusu.

In 1955, he met Comfort Amponsah, a sister of a friend (Mary Amponsah) and married her in January 1956. They were blessed with five children, two sons and three daughters. Mr Amofah is survived by eight biological children, twenty-one grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. His circle included children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren from his family, friends and church community.

Education & Work

Mr Amofah was educated at Presbyterian Middle School, Agona. From there, he proceeded in 1951 to SDA Training College, Bekwai where he earned his Teacher’s Certificate B. During his time at Bekwai, he made many friends including Mr I K Annan, Mr Johnson Takyi and Mr K Owusu.

With his Certificate B qualification, he returned to Agona to teach at the SDA Primary School from 1952 to 1956. In his spare time, he worked as a taxi driver with his new bride as his co-pilot.

In 1957 Kwasi returned to education at Wesley College, Kumasi to complete his Teacher’s Certificate A. There, he met his friend and mentor, Mr B S Kwakwa, a fresh graduate from the University of Ghana, Legon and a native of Asokore.

Mr Kwakwa encouraged him to sit for the GCE A Level exam. He passed the exam, paving the way for his other teacher friends to follow. Whilst at Wesley College he also studied for the Grade 5 RSA Music Theory Exam making him the first student ever to pass the exam at this level, gaining fame and notoriety for his accomplishment.

It was during this time that he developed a life-altering love for music. He also made many friends most of whom are sadly no longer with us: Yaw Adarkwah Dadzie, Oheneba Karikari Apau, Bossman and Vida Afari who later became his “asew”.

In 1962, he gained admission to the University of Ghana, Legon and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours in sociology and history. He then returned to SDA Training College to teach English. He was given additional responsibility as housemaster.

He went on to study at Andrews University, Michigan in 1968, where he gained a Masters in Education.

In 1969, Mr Amofah returned to Ghana and became Vice Principal of SDA Training College, Bekwai, rising to Principal two years later, the second person of African origin to hold that position. During this time, he fought the establishment to gain the students the right to sit for O & A Level exams. Students who would otherwise have never had the opportunity to get a university education benefited hugely. During his time at Bekwai he made many friends, such as Nana Osei Kwadwo II (Bekwai Omanhene), Mr K Asante (then Principal of Dompoase Training College) and Mr Ampofo (Cicero Hotel) who remained close friends till his demise.

He was transferred to Offinso where he turned a women’s institute into a full fledged co-ed training college in the year he spent there. In 1974, he left education and joined the Ghana Cocoa Marketing Board (CMB) as Deputy HR Manager. Two years later, he was promoted to HR Manager. It is a measure of his success as HR Manager that he was asked to manage the newly-established formulation plant at Abuakwa. Unfortunately, the 1979 coup brought his successful career with the CMB to an end.

After a brief period with a pharmaceutical company in Accra, he left for Liberia where he taught at the Booker Washington Institue in Kakata, Liberia from 1983 to 1985. He then moved to Jacksonville, Florida to be close to his lifelong friend, Dr Alfred Boateng. In Jacksonville, he taught at the Florida Community College (FCCJ) till his retirement in 2004 when he returned to Ghana.

Hobbies and Interests

Mr Amofah was a keen sportsman. He played tennis, badminton, table tennis and golf. He served as president of the Kumasi Golf Club. During his tenure, he organized several impressive tournaments. He was an avid Asante Kotoko and Liverpool FC fan. He enjoyed board games too: draughts, ludo, monopoly, scrabble and “oware”. He was also an accomplished musician. He played the organ, piano, harpsichord, guitar and mouth organ.

He had a love for learning new things. When he was introduced to computers at the ripe old age of 60, he never looked back. In fact, he became so good at it that prior to leaving FCCJ he taught Information & Communication Technology.

He believed in keeping the mind active and enjoyed puzzles and sudoku. While his contemporaries only knew how to use the green button on their phones, he could use all the apps on his.

Religious Faith & Values

Mr Amofah was born into Adventist Church and remained active till his death. A pastor’s son, he served the church in various capacities such as Sabbath School teacher, interpreter, translator, organist and choirmaster. With his friend the late Mr I K Annan, their teacher, Mr S E Opam, and others, he translated English hymns to Twi.

Other Relationships

It is said that truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget. Mr Amofah had some truly great friends who he never forgot though they predeceased him. They are Mr Anim Boateng, Mr Owusu Okyere, Mr A Fikwao, Mr K Boakye, Lawyer Adubofour and Mr L Barkers-Wood.

Others are still with us: Mr Adusei, Mr B A Opoku, Mr K Afriyie, Mr Boakye Ansah, Mr K Barwuah, Mr Y Adomako Bayim

He enriched the lives of his students and many in the family who have a bank of memories of his leadership, achievements, and example that will live forever and will not be lost in the mist of time.

Indeed “whoever renders service to many puts himself in line for greatness-… great satisfaction, great reputation, and great joy." Jim Rohn

May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.