Our father, John Clifford Kwabena Manu Ofori, affectionately called JC by family and friends, and Dad by his children, was born on 1st May 1930 at Mbeam Denkyira. Kwabena Ofori was a descendant of the royal household of Nana Nkwantabisa I, his grandfather, a Denkyirahene who reigned from 1875 to 1910. Paapa Ofori, Dad’s father was the son of Nana Nkwantabisa I. Dad’s mother, Akosua Tease and her husband Paapa Ofori had eight children. Dad was their second child. Kwabena Ofori, like his parents also had eight children of whom one, Nellie Ama Twumwa has passed on.

Though Dad’s parents had no formal classroom education, grandfather Ofori, a goldsmith, travelled farther than the purview of his hometown, and was fascinated by the educational institutions he encountered. He encouraged his wife so both of them could send the majority of their children to school. After primary school, Dad was sent to Cape Coast to live with Mr. Appenteng where he completed his senior school education at Phillip Quacooe Boys' school. 

After his senior school education, Dad worked for a few years at John Holt Bartholomew and Compagnie Francaise d'Afrique de l'Ouest, CFAO. Kwabena Ofori acquired the essence of entrepreneurship early in life, and possessed the gifts of an inquisitive mind, initiative and motivation. He cultivated an exploratory spirit which emboldened him to apply his talents to a variety of life-changing accomplishments. In his restless quest to carve a brighter niche for himself, Dad left CFAO and joined Ghana State Farms Corporation where he worked his way up the ladder to become a middle-ranking officer at just 26 years of age.

As Manager, he was stationed at various towns in the regions of Ghana to head one agricultural establishment or the other.

Dad underwent a period of studies and training in Israel where he specialized in poultry farming at the faculty of Agriculture at the Hebrew university. On his return, he was stationed at Takoradi, and eventually at Odokor, Accra in the latter part of the 1950's. There was neither Dansoman nor Akoko Foto at the time. Left and right side of the single lane Accra-Winneba road was nothing but forest.  A left turn from the Accra-Winneba road on the fringes of Odokor led to a dusty untarred narrow side road which culminated after a 3 mile drive at the then Ghana’s premier poultry establishment. A giant Ghana State Farms Corporation sign board bearing a prominent photo of a cockerel stood at the junction where the road led to the poultry estate. The Photo of the cockerel on the State Farm’s signboard was what gave the name ‘Akoko Photo’ to today’s Dansoman.   

Dad was the first person in Ghana's poultry farming sector to introduce the science of poultry hatchery using sophisticated incubators, equipment and knowledge he gained from his studies and training in Israel. The Ghana State Farms Corporation’s poultry unit at Odokor was the hub of the country’s poultry supply to hotels, state and private catering institutions, the prisons, hospitals, secondary boarding institutions, and other public and private sector establishments.

Kwabena Ofori's hard work, dedication to his profession and duty were attributes which contributed to making the Odokor Poultry Farm the flagship poultry establishment of Ghana. It was during this period that he came into contact with, and befriended many of Ghana’s elite in his personal life as well as through business and official contacts.

In 1961, Dad was transferred to Nyankpala in the Northern Region to head the budding Ghana State Farm there. Again, the government realized his astute credentials and saw an opportunity to utilize his knowledge, dedication, experience, and likeable personality to plant another seed of national progress in the North. The foundation he laid at the agricultural institution through his enthusiasm, innovation and foresight helped to found what has today become known as the Nyankpala Agricultural College.

In 1964, after three years stay at Nyankpala, Dad set out to explore new vistas of his ambitious drive. He resigned from his position at the State Farms Corporation and left the same year for the United Kingdom where he resided for the next 9 years.

 

On his return to Ghana from the United Kingdom in 1973, Dad set up Shelgate Transport Company, and integrated himself immediately into the business community of the new Ghana. Not only did Dad’s accomplishments play a part in the creation of modern day Akoko Photo suburb of Accra, but also in the building of Dansoman itself. John Clifford Ofori put his company’s tipper trucks to work during the initial construction of the then evolving housing units whose foundation gave rise to the sprawling metropolis known today as Dansoman.  

Dad had a zest for life, and so lived it to the full. He relished the social life and reveled in the company of his friends. JC was a free spirited person fearless in all his ways. He was brave, bold and courageous at all times, and never ran from a challenge. Dad did not live by creed or dogma, but by reason and common sense. Our father, Kwabena Manu Ofori possessed an aura of exuberant affability. If ever there was a selfless soul, JC would be at the fore. Throughout his life, Dad readily gave the best of what he had to anyone, even strangers without the slightest hesitation. He took in people from the streets who were in urgent need for a place to stay on the spur-of-the moment, and gave them shelter and food for as long as they cared to stay at his home. We his children witnessed this matchless benevolence time after time, and had to share our home, food, and little comforts with total strangers whom he had brought to live with us.

As a parent, Dad was the ultimate liberal, if somewhat protective of his daughters. He encouraged us to explore whatever we fancied, except the achingly unsavoury. He brought out the best in us by goading us in pursuit of knowledge, especially during our formative years.     

Dad’s legendary kindness encompassed his eternal desire to gather around him his relatives, family, and friends, and help everyone to secure themselves well in the saddle of life. Whatever JC had, he freely gave. Dad met everyone with a broad and cheerful smile, and was the first to burst into laughter at the least moment of fun. We shall miss your kind, hospitable and warm welcome gestures. We grieve for you Dad, but we are not alone in our pain. The goodness and kindness you showered on all and sundry while you lived, will pave your path bright to heaven’s door.

Dad, though you are no longer with us, memories of you will forever stay with us. May the Almighty keep you safe in his bosom, and may you rest forever peacefully in the loving arms of the Lord.

Farewell Dad, Fare you well….Damirifa due….Damirifa due…..Damirifa due

 

Love and affection from your children