Late Mr James Worlator Kwami Doe
Born 10th April 1926
Sunset, 18th December 2015
He was 89 years old.
My late uncle was born to late Doe “Tailor” and Arugba “Dzen” both from Anloga in the Volta Region of Ghana. As was the social interaction he was able to speak Ewe his father tongue as well as many other Ghanaian languages. He completed his primary and middle school education and obtained the standard 7 certificate successfully in Anloga.
James was the younger of two sons. His Brother the Late Lawson Kwashie Doe (my father) died three decades ago in November 1983.
He demonstrated keen love for nature study and it was not surprising that he qualified as Agricultural Officer at the Kwadaso Agric College and he was posted to Bunso Agric. Station and later stationed at Adansi Fumso where we visited the family during our holidays.
He was also a statesman of Anloga and pioneered education by being one of the three founding fathers of Anlo Secondary School, a thriving and centre of excellent education. The other two co-founders were the Late Togbui Adeladza, Awomefia, Paramount Chief of Anlo Traditional Area and the Late Mr Fiagbe. He recalled stories of how he used savings from his salary to finance the School until it was established and handed over to the Ghana Education Service. It was befitting honour to his living memory that the Anlo Secondary School (Anlo Senior High School), erected statues in honour of the three co-founders of the School in 2009. This was while he was alive.
He recounted fondly stories he was told about the history of the Anlos; the Ewe ethnic peoples and their successful migration from tyrannical rule of Togbui Agorkoli in Hogbe to settle in current Anlo traditional area. The Hogbetsotso festival is annually celebrated in honour of the bravery of our forefathers.
My uncle would also teach us the motto of the Anlos which is inspirational.
Literally “one piece of firewood is able to cook a meal” He would then explain how the resilience of one person can influence the whole society. Reminds me of biblical text that one shall put to flight a thousand.
He was a man of many attributes and could only be described as one of his kind.
As a husband he was faithful to his beloved wife Beatrice who has survived him with six sons and a daughter. He used to tell his children that one woman in his life is more than satisfaction for him. And he would jokingly declare that if he could have half a woman to manage that would still be alright.
As a businessman he settled for hard work and successful as the sales manager at the then Millet Textiles Limited where he worked with his late brother Lawson who was the personnel manager.
His entrepreneur skills reflected in his establishing companies for trading in textile materials. He had store outlet for retailing textiles which my late Mum Rosa used to buy goods to sell.
He was a lover of family unity and when his father and Mum died he left Anloga with his brother to live in the same house in Accra. He raised his family alongside his brother's family. When his brother was abroad on foreign service he looked after his brother's family and ensured all was well to best of his ability.
He relocated from Adabraka to Kpehe in Accra after working over seventeen years at the Ministry of Agriculture. Where he established a thriving poultry farm which became the business hub for the family and close relationships. This poultry business was a Training ground for all the children and nephews and nieces. We use to have next days job outlines the previous day so there was no question of excuses of distraction to go out. One can go out for leisure or library after finishing the task. The experience of waking up at dawn to start the day chores was later on reflected in the enduring and tenacity of purpose for all the children who later on grew to become useful citizens in their respective spheres of influence.
He was a multitalented multitask man. He was able to keep a job as bus conductor and keep his focus on training to become agriculturalist.
He is survived by Mrs Beatrice Doe affectionately called, "Daavi B” and six sons and a daughter:
Dr James Worlator Kobla Doe, USA
Mr Emmanuel Worladem Doe, Ghana
"Mr Patrick Senu Doe, Ghana (Deceased, 1988)"
Reverend Robert Hamenu Kwaku Doe, UK
Mr Bernard Kumah Doe, USA
Mr Michael Agbemavor Doe, Ghana
Mr Godwin Kodzoga Doe, USA
Ms Angela Sename Doe, Ghana
He has been instrumental in upbringing of his late Brother Lawson Doe children who as his nephews and nieces at various stages of life were living in his household as part of united Doe Family.
He is also survived by 6 nephews and 6 nieces (of his Brother. The Late Lawson Kwashie Doe):
McDaniel Nunya Doe, Ghana
Mrs Comfort Yemo, Ghana
Dr Prosper Tettey Doe, UK
Ms Mable Doe, Ghana
Ms Gifty Afi Doe, Ghana
Ms Francisca Madui Doe, Ghana
Mrs Sheila Mawunyo Nager, Germany
Mr Francis Yaw Doe, Ghana
Mr Benjamin Bruce Doe, Canada
Mr Patrick Bruce Doe, USA
Mr Besa Bruce Doe, Ghana
Mrs Ami Obodai, Ghana
He is survived by grandchildren, grand nephews and grand nieces and great grand nieces and nephews.
My story illustrate how intimate our relationship was. I visited my late uncle at home during my recent trip to Ghana in September 2015. This was 2 months before he passed into eternity. As usual he brought all the medicine he has been prescribed and we discussed each one in turn. He was open to discuss his health investigation with me and he was fit, though he used walking stick. He was slightly more subdued but his vigor and knowledge of current events was admirable. In particular when I gave him some money in cedis he was quick to point out how much it was worth in pounds sterling without prompting. The conversation would have carried on for several hours had it not been for the power outage which threw us in darkness. I bid him farewell and was seen off by my cousin little did I know that was the last time I would see him alive. I carry fond memories of that last living farewell interaction.
It is therefore my honour to write a few words about the Late James Worlator Kwami Doe, a man I consider to be my Spiritual father and guide during my formative years. This is a man who with his dear wife Beatrice (widow), has hugely impacted lives of their children, relatives and friends positively in ways that I cannot simply express in words.
Hebrews: 6. 10. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
