We can speak to her faith in ordinary people as the necessary source of direction in times of uncertainty. We can attest to her scientific approach to consulting with the People in these matters. We benefited from her attention to detail and the depth of intellectual power she brought to articulating the vision, strategy, values and ways of working that eventually created the NDC – never mind how far the Party has since strayed from these foundations. We admired her energy and strength in leading the community-level consultations that she and Sammy Garbah conducted with the Regional leadership of the CDR – too many of whom have also passed on – as they traversed the length and breadth of Ghana multiple times to gather the priorities and ideas that initially shaped the Party. We know how hard she fought to achieve gender balance in these consultations and to ensure, for example, that women’s voices were heard even in our most patriarchal communities. It was indeed from one of her travels in the Techiman area with the late Kwadwo Mahama-Adam that the idea of an umbrella as the Party’s symbol was first broached. We saw how strongly she resented injustice in all its forms and how willing she was to confront and challenge it— physically, if necessary. We understood how much she was driven to protect the vulnerable and how generous and kind she could be towards children. This instinct and passion summed up her political agenda – a desire to establish a system where oppression and exploitation are permanently eradicated. We were also blessed with Cecilia’s fun-loving lighter side. She could tell stories. She had an infectious smile that lit up the room like sunlight and a full laugh that shook her entire body. And she knew how to have a good time! Our beautiful, dedicated comrade is gone now. The world is a smaller place without her. She has left a legacy – the full extent of which we will address at another time. Suffice it to say for now that we are sufficiently motivated by Cecilia’s life to renew vigorously the struggles we waged at the foundation of the fourth republic and the Party. Rest in peace, comrade. T R I B U T E 1 1946 MRS. CECILIA JOHNSON 2025 66 A Loving Farewell
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