This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Professor Alexander Adum Kwapong, 87, born on March 8, 1927 and passed away on August 9, 2014. We will remember him forever.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE LATE PROF. ALEXANDER ADUM KWAPONG
AT THE GREAT HALL, UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON
Friday 12th September, 2014 Vigil at the Forecourt of the Great Hall / Alexander Adum Kwapong Quadrangle 6:30 p.m – 8.30 pm
Saturday 13th September, 2014 Burial Service at the Great Hall &
Forecourt / Alexander Adum Kwapong Quadrangle
Viewing: 7:30 a.m.
Service: 9:30 a.m.
Final Funeral Rites follow at the Forecourt of the Great Hall, after interment.
Dress Code: Black
Sunday 14th September, 2014 Thanksgiving Service during the 10:00 a.m. Service at the Accra Ridge Church
Dress Code: Black and White
Tributes
Leave a tributeand we would have had a lively discussion about him and the Williams sisters #almostgrandslam
Go on; go on and never look back for your footprints are precious. Damirifa due, Ohene Kwapong. Odehye kann a wone akomfo mu hene na edidi. Da yie!!
His personality and intellectual ability ensured his progress in the University of Ghana. He was Vice-Chancellor when I joined the lower ranks of the University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS) in 1971. One soon learnt of his seminal role in the establishment and development of UGMS. Although he had been "invited" through a scholarship to study classics in Cambridge University, Professor Kwapong had a special spot for medicine. Indeed he did tell me in conversations that his wish as a student at Achimota was to study medicine.
He was chairman of Ghana's Council of State (2001-2005) when the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons was established in 2003. Although the Council was in recess, Professor Kwapong got the Council to meet to consider a request from the President of Ghana on the membership of the governing council of the College. For his innate love for the medical profession, his contribution to education in Ghana, and his academic distinction, Professor Alex Kwapong was honoured with the Honorary Fellowship of the College in 2007.
He was an engaging conversationalist, erudite and offen jocular, and spoke in the classicist's English, but where effective, in classical Akuapem Twi, which transmitted a sense of pride in his being Ghanaian.
Ghana has lost a patriot who worked hard and honestly for the advancement of higher education in the country. Academia has lost a pioneer who became a legend. The youth have lost a genuine motivator and encourager. His work and legacy will forever be rememberbed.
Prof.,Rest In Peace.
Paul Nyame,
Foundation Rector,
Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Sleep tight Uncle Alex. Till we meet again. Mizna
TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF THE LATE PROFESSOR ALEXANDER ADUM KWAPONG
"Now praise we great and famous men,
The fathers named in story;
And praise the Lord, who now as then
Reveals in man His glory.
Praise we the wise and brave and strong,
Who graced their generation,
Who helped the right, and fought the wrong,
And made our folk a nation.
Praise we the peaceful men of skill,
Who builded homes of beauty,
And, rich in art, made richer still
The brotherhood of duty."
(William George Tarrant - 1853-1928)
Today we are celebrating the life of one of the great sons of Africa, who was proudly Ghanaian and a Presbyterian.
The Professor Alexander Kwapong lived and died a Christian, and it is difficult to know where to start to share about the life and influence of such a man. For the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, we believe it has to begin and end with gratitude and thanksgiving for one of the finest and unassuming Christian lives any of us are ever likely to know. We can say, as St. Paul said to the Philippians, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”
Professor Kwapong served the Lord as a Presbyterian in the Accra Ridge Church, having been closely associated with the Presbyterian Church through Baptism and Confirmation, and as an adult church member who was serious with his Christian life.
It would be unfair not to honor a man who has given his whole life to the service of his nation Ghana and the work of God, for his selfless devotion and Christian commitment. For many who knew him, he was an example of a practical and down to earth believer. A friend, with whom one could talk and receive a clear, discerned advice. He has been many things to many people: Professor, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, fellow church member and friend. Across these roles, he exemplified the very essence of what a man of faith should be.
Professor Alexander Kwapong lived with his whole house the very thing which the Holy Scriptures teach us and which he also exemplified. His wife and children are as close to our hearts, as he was.
Professor, the Presbyterian Church will miss you, but we are hopeful that very soon when Christ returns we shall all be re-united in Heaven our Home.
May the soul of our beloved Professor rest in peace, and may the souls of all the faithful departed rest in perfect peace till we meet again.
Amen.
Mama Amexleti Dunenyo II
I came to know the late Professor Kwapong late in his years. A particular reminiscence was the occasion of the celebration of his 80th birthday. Folks were gathered, the occasion superbly victualled and the banter fascinating. After much merry making Prof arose to give a speech which we all assumed would a paean of thanks for a life well lived.
Not a bit of it.
On rising from his chair he glanced momentarily at his wife, paused and then proceeded to paint a vignette of which he was the butt of the tale. This accomplished and erudite man was telling a story about how he was told off by his daughter thirty years earlier with glee and thankfulness. This lesson in humility, openness and the grace to accept criticism even from one’s own child was served up with humour. An invaluable lesson to the succeeding generation.
To paraphrase a Yoruba saying; ‘A large tree has fallen in the forest and its reverberations are many'.
Forever the classicist, the vignette was garnished with a Latin quote.
‘LECTOR, SI MONUMENTUM REQUIRIS CIRCUMSPICE’.
I then meekly requested for a translation for those of us untutored in Latin. (READER, IF YOU SEEK HIS MONUMENT LOOK AROUND YOU)
These are the words on the tomb of Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of St. Paul’s Church, London, who is buried in the crypt of St. Paul's.
For Prof Kwapong his monument is evidenced in his family, his daughters, the students he taught and the institutions he led.
May his soul rest in peace.
Olumuyiwa Ogunyemi
Prof. I never saw you when I was growing up in the 1940s and 50s but knew you by name and the many photographs.
The first time we interacted on a one to one basis was about ten years
ago. We were on a British Airways flight London-Accra .Greetings were exchanged and found ourselves in a very lengthy conversation. I Knew who you were but you did not know me for obvious reasons. You knew thousands if not millions!
To conclude my story- when we disembarked you were waiting on the tarmac. You called me to one side to enquire who I was because although we communicated on the Plane there was no introduction.
At this point I burst out laughing and called my name out. Prof. you also laughed, your head in your hands. I received your telephone number
and spoke on a few occasions when we had the opportunity
One cannot help but to enjoy your communication and advice. Such a joy to listen to. Cousin Nana Yaw and I called on you a few months ago when you were in London. We promised to visit when on holidays in Accra. Sorry Prof. you had to depart before we came.
The Almighty knows best. You made us family and all Ghana proud.
May the Good Lord keep you safely in his bosom.
REST IN PERFECT PEACE
Tribute from all Odei-Kwatia and Adu Kwatia and other Kwatia family of Obosomase Akwapim.
Your flair for languages was outstanding, whether it was at matriculation or convocation; whether it was at an inaugural or a public lecture like Aggrey-Fraser-Guggisberg; whether it was at a durbar of chiefs and local people or with a group of students, your use of words was captivating. It had wit, humour and scholarly excellence. Thank you for teaching us the importance of not just learning a language but learning it well.
A few people know about the Ghana-Guelph project but fewer still know about the negotiation prowess that you demonstrated in making the project come to fruition. When it ended in 1979 after 9 years, it was considered one of the most successful international cooperation programmes. Not only did it pave the way of over a hundred Ghanaian as well as Canadian academics like me to participate in research and/or complete advance degrees, but also created lifelong academic and social relationships across continents. Thank you for fighting to make Legon a global learning environment.
I was looking forward to seeing you again to tell you all the good things that were said about you by a former President of the University of Guelph, Dr. Winegard, at a recent book launch in Guelph. But, alas, the Good Lord knows best, and has called you from your labours.
May He give you perpetual peace.
Posted on behalf of the members of OAA 1973.
John R Schram MA, LLD University of Ghana
Senior Fellow, Legon Hall
Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana 1994-1998
“Prof” was truly one of Ghana’s “Greats”: He has been in the pantheon of respected elders since his earliest days as an educator, classicist, disciplinarian, and revered vice chancellor. My earliest recollections of Dr Alex Kwapong were of him in that latter role: tall, imposing, as elegant as eloquent, filling the commanding heights of the Great Hall, grappling with the fractious students of 1966, challenged to respond to a particularly frivolous demand, then bringing all discussion to a halt with one word: “rubbish!”. Most astonishingly, everyone agreed with him; the hall fell silent, we students went back to their own halls - even the Vandals returned to Commonwealth Hall - tails between our legs. We were full of the wonder, respect and even affection that few in Ghana in those days could have won,
For all of us of a certain age, Prof was a hero for his years as Vice Chancellor, as the person who led the University from its infancy into a maturity that would be envied across Africa and admired around the world. But he went on to still greater accomplishments for himself and for so many international educational institutions. By the time I returned to head the Canadian High Commission in Ghana, he was a legend – and one with many more chapters still to be written.
Imagine the honour for me to find in 1994 that the vice chancellor from my 1966 university days, the man who then struck me with such awe, now talked with me as a friend and adviser. Imagine too how impressed I was to discover that the icon I had invested with such esteem because his knowledge of the history of man, of our strength and foibles from Greece to the present, had now become an innovative, internationally venerated master of the newest in global education, technology and governance. I was impressed, too, that he and his discerning wife Evelyn shared Alena’s and my faith – in fact, marked out our pew as we returned each Sunday to share the fan on the breeziest side of Accra Ridge Church.
I was even more flattered that Prof and Evelyn would invite this small boy from Legon Hall and his wife to dinner at their gracious home. These were precious ties with family, with Evelyn and daughters “one, two, three and four”, as Prof liked to introduce them so proudly. They were to Alena and me a great source of advice and encouragement through our four years in Accra.
Though these many years, Prof has been the outstanding symbol of all that has won. Ghana and Ghanaians such global admiration. If a Canadian half way round the world has this stellar image of Alex Kwapong, how much more so must he be honored by those fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to benefit from his contribution at Cambridge, in Canada, in Tokyo and thus around the world. So Prof is indeed a great Ghanaian - a classics scholar who himself became himself a classic man; an educator who turned knowledge into wisdom; a rare leader of goodwill who became a statesman of beneficent influence; a man and a friend who has inspired thousands to emulate those many qualities that leave us all so grateful for the blessings of his life.
By Dr Sylvia J Anie-Akwetey
I write this with heavy heart……..
We never saw each other often
But I have always held you in high esteem…
Every word of advice you gave me…….
Still holds and has led me to profound achievements
You wrote my first reference when I relocated to Ghana
And yes of-course, I got the job
I will forever be thankful to you for opening my eyes a bit wider
For making me smile a bit deeper
For reducing the impossible to possible
and for channeling my energy into tangible results
Together with my late father, Mr Samuel J Anie,
You made me fly……..
Uncle Alex, rest in perfect peace.
From you, I understood the essence of being a widely read individual, the need for humility, forthrightness and a sense of propriety in my dealings in others. You are sorely missed.
Que Dieu te garde
Leave a Tribute
Please be patient.
From Yvonne Prempeh..one of your many mentees!
an unforgettable in law
Prof was a gracious and warmly weloming in law.There had been a special bond of friendship and respct between him and our late father, Mr E A Amegtcher, whose advice on family matters he greatly valued. This friendship continued with us, the children of E A. He never failed to acknowledge us as in laws in whatever circle we happen to meet. He always tried to speak Dangme with us and would jokingly start off with 'O nge saminya?'( how are you).I remember when i was at Legon in the 1960's, their home was open to me day and night. i recall my trip to Japan in 1984 to undergo a short rogramme. they invited me to their home several times and Prof always took time off his busy schdule to be there. this made the cultural shock less daunting and i could also look forward to familiar food on those visits. being in the compny of Prof was always fun as he told one story after the other. it is a pity that the last time we visited them at home, Prof was not available so it came as a shock when barely two weeks later, we were informed that he had passed on.
Prof, O ke wo mi saminya. Wa he nge mo jaa!
Prof, beloved husband of our cousin Evelyn, Rest in Perect Peace.
from Saah, on behalf of the children of Emmanuel and Sarah Amegatcher
Giants of our Time
He was a fine gentleman and his achievements and accolades today cannot be measured. He was a principled, disciplined humble man who never allowed fear to stop him from speaking his mind.
It has been a difficult time for us, the children of these great men and women, as we watch helplessly whilst these very inspirational stalwarths are called to eternal glory by their maker, one after the other. He was one of the very great men of his time serving his family, his community and Ghana both at home and overseas. At the dawn of independence these were the men and women that put Ghana on the map of the world.
Uncle Alex did not only inspire young people, he inspired his generation. As a gregarious conversationalist, and a man who had many roles in his lifetime, he inspired my 80 year old father Dr Matthew Anum Barnor to capture his memoirs in a book. They both loved to exchange stories and it was after one such exchange that Uncle Alex said to my father “ You must write a book with such great memories.” Uncle Alex put him in touch with a writer and the book " A Socio-Medical Adventure in Ghana" was published in June 2001. He was there at the book launch in Accra and was supportive through out the process. They continued their freindship till my father passed away in 2005. He remained interested in a wide range of activities. On our very last meeting at a 90th birthday party he was sharp, full of wit and as usual engaging and enquiring about my children who he had only met a handful of times. I was shocked that he remembered their names. We mourn not his loss but celebrate the life of a man with a very distinguished both National and International carreer , a humble honest upright man and a real trail blazer. There has been a lot to learn from his life. He opened our eyes in many ways. Fare thee well till we meet again. Dr Naa Adjeley Barnor, Brothers and Sisters.