From Michael Kwaku Obeng Appiah (Casper) Mama Akua, as we all affectionately knew her, was my second Mother; literally, the direct younger sister of my mother, Yaa Abon, and the second daughter of the great beloved Maame Yaa Twenewaa, Mrs Joana Bennett. She was however like a guardian angel to me, taking care of me with my mother and always there with us at home or on the land-line talking with Mama Yaa for hours on end. When she visited us at home, I had the privilege of eavesdropping on their fun conversations since I happened to have the privilege of being the eldest of the children around our mothers. Mama Akua constantly reminded me that my grandmother named me after the arch-angel Michael, as I was the guardian of all Yaa Twenewaa’s grandchildren; a responsibility she made sure I didn’t shy away from. MamaAkua is embedded in all my fondestmemories: when rosy-cheeked Dela was born and 61 Burma Villas was a fun place to always go and visit with Mama Akua, Dela and Dela Papa (Colonel Johnson). A memorable visit to a very young Jerry Rawlings and Nana Konadu when Hon. Azanetor was born. Taking Nana Yaa, Afia and I on fun trips to the zoo, Sapper’s beach club and making her Burma Camp crew of Auntie Abiba (RIP) and Auntie Azumi part of our family. You never wanted Mama Akua to be left out on a family trip or be absent at any family gathering, because she was the life of the party. Our family bonds with Auntie Abiba grew tight when I later went to school with her son Hakeem (RIP) in Prempeh college. Mama Akua was also a guiding beacon in my entrepreneurial adventures and she always encouraged me through my academic and professional life. I knew I could always count on Mama Akua, be it for advice or seed help to realise life’s dreams no matter how elusive they were. She also encouraged me to build a strong family and constantly enquired about Josephine, Kwabena and Yaw anytime we spoke. For Mama Akua, family was the most important part of our lives and she worked hard to instill that in me. She was a mother to all of us and always made sure she brought and kept family ever close to her. She will never be forgotten and she will live in my heart forever. May her memory continue to be a blessing to us all. NEPHEW T R I B U T E 1 1946 MRS. CECILIA JOHNSON 2025 44 A Loving Farewell
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