I miss you, my brother Mike, the graceful diplomat and HR expert. On my first meeting with you in 1992, you told me you will call me Prudence - my middle name. You kept your word and Prudence I was to you all my years at ADB.  I still hear that voice calling Prudence.  Thank you for caring for us as staff and becoming Tonton to our kids.  Yes, Pastor Kwame said it all so we will not mourn as people without hope.  Our Lord Jesus Christ promised to be a father to the fatherless so Francoise, your friend and daughter is fine.  Sleep on, my brother, Sleep and take your rest.  AMEN!!!

Michael Kwafo was a gentleman; it was an honour to have known him.

May his soul rest in perfect peace and may the Lord keep and comfort his family and friends so that over time their memories of him will become a source of comfort and even laughter, instead of sorrow and tears - Amen

Rest in peace Mike (Ghana Boy) as I fondly called you. You were so dedicated to your job. I will miss your good sense of humor. May God console your family and all of us who mourn.

Uncle Michael was so full of life. He was always so cheerful and totally uplifting. My memories of this great uncle are very vivid and I am very saddened by this. May your soul totally rest in peace uncle. N

I too am deeply saddened to hear of my friend Mike's untimely passing. I met the big feller over 30 years ago in Abidjan whilst working for Phillips Oil Company. With a motley international crew of like minded individuals, we enjoyed high old times together drinking, dancing and putting the world to rights over a glass or six of finest Akpeteshie :)
Right now I know Mike will be looking down on us all, smiling that big smile of his and chuckling gently at all the fuss. A good, kind, supportive and loyal kind of chap, you will undoubtedly be missed by the many whose lives you touched. I sorely regret that I didn't get the chance to see you in Tunis
Take care big man and keep things grooving up there till I get to join you.

Uncle Mike, it was a great shock to me when I heard of your passing on. Some days before your departure to London, you called and spent about an hour with me on the phone talking about so many things. You even asked if you were disturbing me with your call but I said no. I never knew you were saying good-bye to me. I now work down the corridor and no longer hear that loving and caring voice calling me "OLATUNJA" a nickname you gave me many years ago.
When I told Lizbeth that you fondly call "Miss Toulouse" she screamed "Whaaaat!". You even asked me to tell her that you shall be meeting in Abidjan and you'll be taking her to Basam for weekends. It only shows that even in your state of health you still think about everybody. My husband calls you "OGA MIKE" and you call him "Richy".
Your desk is next to mine in Abidjan but never to be occupied by you. You said the last time we spoke "Olatunja hold the fort, I am coming to join you in Abidjan".
You are so rare a person and "Richy, Olatunja, Damy and Miss Toulouse" miss you very much.

Tonton Mike, tu nous manques tellement ! Lorsque j'ai appris la nouvelle, j'étais sous le choc. Je me suis mise à me rappeler tous les instants passés ensemble, ton sourire, le ton de ta voix, cette bonne humeur...
Comme dirait Leo Buscaglia:"Nous sous-estimons souvent le pouvoir d'un contact, d'un sourire, d'un mot gentil, d'une oreille attentive, d'un compliment sincère ou de la moindre attention ; ils ont tous le pouvoir de changer une vie". Tonton Mike, tu avais ce pouvoir là! Tu as changé de nombreuses vies avec le coeur que tu avais. Et tu es un peu en chacun d'entre nous.
Ce qui conforte, c'est que tu te reposes maintenant. Pour être franche, je suis un peu jalouse des anges que tu as rejoint car ils t'ont maintenant.
A bientôt Tonton Mike.

My cousin Michael was such a gentleman that I fell in love with him the very first time I saw him - not knowing he was my cousin! Michael became my male buddy, we could discuss any subject! Michael was such a comforting soul and he gave me tremendous support while we were both living in Abidjan. I cried and laughed many times on his shoulder. Michael, my children, Nyaniba, Nana-Adwo and Kwame are heart broken . You were their Tonton! I will miss your gentle voice, beautiful smile when you would call me by my nickname, Maame Red when we were younger and later on Tantie Tina! and you asking me to cook Jollof rice because you are coming over. thank you for contributing to the final happiness of my dad when you paid him a visit at the hospital with the biggest bar of chocolate you could find - he ate it all till the final piece and he called it Ofei's chocolate. You will be greatly missed by all, Aunty Gladys, Aunty Mary, Sis Sophs, Sis Flore, Richard and Charles. RIP my darling cousin, RIP. You are free from suffering and in a peaceful and better place.

I am so very, very sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. He was an extraordinary and genuinely good man, like few others. He went out of his way for people as few others do; he was kind and gentle and generous to everyone he encountered; and he was a model and mentor for many. He had an amazing capacity to be at ease with everyone, and make anyone around him feel comfortable. But he also had a great sense of humour and a huge appetite for life – and in the old days, for Saint James too. I’m proud to have had him as a friend for 25 years, and sad that I won’t get to spend any more time with him. But most of all I’m sorry that he’s been robbed of life at such a ridiculously young age and that he will never get the chance to do all the things he was looking forward to: going back to Abidjan and then on to Aburi where he wanted to write his memoirs and look out over the view. Goodbye Mike.

I consider myself among the fortunate ones to be welcomed by you in Tunis. My heart is saddened and my thoughts and prayers are with you, Michael.
May your soul rest in peace

My friend, my brother, my name sake, and a good human being. Michael Ofei Kwafo. When Dorothy came in tears and said Tonton Mike I for a moment did not want to hear anymore. If Tonton means tons of goodness then truly you'll always be Tonton Mike.

Guess I have to confront this sadness that will not go away. My unfinished painting on your wall, that flight from Dakar to Tunis that cannot happen anymore. Guess we thought there was always time to do it another time.

A fine gentleman, one so full of concern for others and always so so graceful. You lived your life oh so quietly and we'll all remember you were such an incorrigible tease. But we loved it all. Allow me to spill, for life seems to lose all meaning. I know I'm not alone in my hurt. But I grieve deeply. Rest easy brother. Him who is faithful and true will see us through. The Lord Christ Jesus keep you,Tonton Mike. From Ofei.

Michael was certainly the reason why, when arriving in Tunis in 2009, I did not pack my bags immediately after - I remember how I was close to tears and struggling with the adaptation to a so new culture, and Mike just sat me down, listened and helped- all with his warm and famous smile, full of positive energy and love for humankind- a man who simply was there where ppl needed him, always eager and up to walking the extra mile for helping any- and I repeat- any fellow human that needed him... I can only imagine how hard the loss must be to his dear family and I trust they will find comfort in knowing that Michael has touched so many humans and left so many little marks in our hearts, urging us to follow his example and always see the other one as what he/she truly is: a fellow human, a beautiful soul and someone we can help - may he rest in peace and may his compassion and work continue the way he would have liked- with a warm smile and full of positive energy

Mr. Kwafo! La nouvelle de votre décès m'a consternée et rendue très triste... Merci pour votre présence, votre amabilité et votre disponibilité durant mon stage de 2010 et bien après. Que votre âme repose en paix et que Dieu donne force et courage à vos proches pour surmonter cette difficile épreuve.

Michael was one of the first persons to greet me upon my arrival in Tunis. Very few could have made one feel so positively welcomed to the Bank.

He was a great professional. But above all, a great person, who always cared. By listing good memories, one would risk missing some.

It therefore suffices to say that Michael was a Great Man, who will be remembered as such and very much be missed.

"For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?" - Khalil Gibran.

We will miss you, Michael, a whole lot. Although you sleep, your memory lives.

Dear Michael, you were like a father to me, a miracle worker. When I was a Young Professional, I had a car accident. The first person I called was you and within an hour, everything was resolved and I was home safe. Where you are, there is peace, there is no hurt or pain, there is no suffering, there is no darkness, no sick or lame. May you rest in eternal peace, till we meet again.

Gone too soon. Bitter though, it may seem to us all, we cannot change what is ordained. I entrust you to God's own care And He will care for us too. Jesus Christ Himself will keep you till we meet again. Farewell Ofei and Thanks for knowing you. I will forever be grateful.

Nana Ketewa

Message by Pastor Kwame BUSUMBRU – Memorial Service in Tunis on 2nd May, 2014

A few months ago, on the last Sunday when one of our members was leaving Tunis, he thanked Mike for recommending and bringing him to St. Georges to worship; that brother represents many who have become members of our church through Mike’s introductions – from former AfDB VP Gantsho to some of the your newest members of staff of the AfDB! And he has been doing this for the past eleven years. We are indebted to him. I know where Mike usually sat in church and after services, would give me a good feedback – how he had been blessed by the service and message – at times using anecdotes like:  the message had real salt and pepper in it.
Mike had been on our prayer list for many months, especially when he travelled to London for the major treatment of his ailment, so you can imagine the joy of the St. George’s family and our gratitude to God when Mike returned to Tunis!!!! When after Easter we learnt that Mike had been rushed to the La Soukra clinic, he was one of the main topics of our prayer meeting exactly a week ago and after the meeting, three of us went to the clinic to visit him. Though he was obviously not well and in pain, when he saw us, he, as usual, tried to engage and chat and went so far as to ask me whether Jackie had received the message of encouragement he had left on her answering machine when he was recently in London for the medical review! That’s vintage Mike – even then, thinking about others! We prayed with Mike and left so he could rest. Four days later, Judith called me to urgently come to La Soukra clinic and we rushed there to find Mike who could no longer engage with us – gone to be with his Maker, a few minutes earlier! We were and are heartbroken!

How do we console our dear sister Ellen and the family following the loss of such a dear brother; words will not be enough! Someone said: 
Life is beautiful not only because of what we see or do                                           Life is beautiful because of the people we meet!! 
The outpouring of grief is testimony of the personal loss for many people who met Mike. Many people’s lives have been blessed because they met Mike. This world is a better place because Mike walked on this earth! One of our sisters indeed echoes our sentiments when she describes Mike as “A graceful, eloquent and seasoned gentleman! He had a genuine love for people and was very dedicated to his job.” Sis Ellen, let me thank you again for having shared your dear brother with us all! May God help us who are alive today, to receive and serve people as your dear brother did, - our own way of memorializing Mike.

God dey! Was one of the affirmations that Mike and I usually concluded our conversations, especially when he was undergoing medical treatment. God dey! God is alive; God is strong, powerful, and indeed Almighty: God is love, He is an extravagant God! loving to the point of giving us his one and only son for our redemption and reconciliation with him. Remember whenever Mike met you, whether you are the cleaner or the President, he treated you as special and gave you his best self! I can confidently say that Mike learnt this from his Maker and lover of his soul! The Bible is clear that God loves the world, and it is primarily and fundamentally in the sense of He loving us humans. Rick Warren was spot on when in his book, The Purpose Driven Life, he said: “You are God’s handcrafted work of art. You are not an assembly-line product, mass produced without thought.  You are custom- designed, one of a kind, original masterpiece.” Masterpieces are always cherished!!  God loves you!
On this day of celebration and reflection, may I appeal to you to respond to God’s love and tell him (remember God is Spirit, so he is right beside you now) you also love him and that he should show you how you can give your heart completely to Him now and for eternity.

Our brother Mike is now asleep spiritually and our belief is that a day is coming when “the perishable will be clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He give us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the LORD is not in vain!”
The “perishable being clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality” This is our hope and this is why we mourn the way we do - as people with hope! Hope in the hereafter; hope that one day we will meet Mike in glory! I recommend Mike’s God to you, dear friend. THANK U.

Je me rappelle encore de ce jour, pendant l'induction tu m'a appelé pendant que je lisais un article et tu m'a demandé si j'etais Ghanéen j'ai dis non que j'étais ivoirien et tu m'a dis le nom ANIN c'est Ghanéen depuis lors tu m'appelais le Ghanéen toujours avec un sourire de père aimant. La dernière fois que je t'ai vu tu rentrais au Medical Centre de la Banque, j'ai senti la fatigue et la maladie te ronger, tu m'a salué pendant que tu sortais de ta voiture mais toujours avec ce sourire. Je m'en rappelle comme si c’était aujourd’hui, Hélas c’était ma dernière fois que je te voyais. Papa Kwafo tu avais promis qu'on se reverrai a Abidjan pour déguster un Garba ensemble. J'y vais et je t'attends..


Repose en Paix toi qui fut décoré avec un tonnerre d'ovations. Tu manqueras a la Banque Africaine de Developpement

Smiling and serene, full of good humor despite the heavy responsibilities he carried - that’s how I remember Michael. May you rest in peace.

I was introduced to Michael on my first day at the ADB and we clicked instantly. He helped me find accommodation and was always ready to assist. Michael always had a smile for everyone and I always had a special hug from him. You will be missed Michael, greatly for that matter. Now you rest in peace till me meet again dear brother.

There are times and seasons. There is a time to come, and there is a time to go. The misery of time is that only God decides. No human decides when to come or when to go. Our Lord God has decided that now is your time. We are all individually waiting for ours, when by His grace we shall meet together with Him. Travel well as you respond to the call of your creator. You have been His good ambassador here on earth; and this is the testimony from all of us that were privileged to know you.

Rest in perfect peace.

Dear Mike, Though you are physically gone, the wonderful memory of your time with us remains. We remember your smiles, your jokes and your friendship, which is more valuable than gold or silver. Rest in peace dear brother. We pray that the good Lord will comfort and strengthen all members of your family and friends.

Mike: It is extremely difficult to accept that you are no longer with us. However, I will remember you always...till my own time comes. Here is why: you carried yourself with dignity and grace all the time. Plus, you walked the talk on what matters in life confidently. In particular, you served your friends and colleagues cheerfully, sincerely, and faithfully; carried out your official responsibilities professionally and enthusiastically; changed the lives of so many people that came your way positively and permanently; and reached out to even strangers compassionately and consistently. So, rest in peace, Earthly Angel. And continue to inspire us from your brand new and eternally blessed home. After all, we need your blessings more than ever...yes, more than ever.

Offei, our loving Father in His infinite wisdom and sovereignty has chosen to call you home at this time… setting you free and sparing you and your loved ones the agony of protracted pain and suffering. We all mourn you now and miss you so terribly, but we thank God for your life and how He used you to touch so many lives. We join the hymnist in saying that it is well…
Though our family friendship goes way back (Abidjan, Tunis via Accra…), I particularly treasure the past couple of years as you and I have journeyed together (London, Tunis…) and battled our mutual adversary… comparing treatment notes and experiences, exchanging tips, encouraging each other and keeping hope alive, which by the way I haven’t given up on because for me you are still a survivor… you’ve simply transitioned to a much better place.
As we pay tribute to you, let me on your behalf also say a deep and sincere thank you to our caregivers, direct and indirect, including family, friends, doctors & other medical personnel, pastors & other spiritual supporters… who tirelessly have helped us fight this battle. May the Lord richly bless them all.
Thank you, compagnon de route, for your priceless support and encouragement, infectious smile, warm personality, resilience and upbeat spirit which have helped me to pick myself up again when the going has been tough. Da yiyie, Offei. Awurade nfa wo nsie, na ɔma wo trabia pa kɔpim sɛ yɛbɛhyia bio! Rut... as you liked to call me.

My cousin Mike was the wind beneath our wings. When I first came to London - many many years ago - Mike showed me so much love that I still remember it like yesterday. Who will forget the smile, the coolness and calmness that followed every reasonable thought? Mike we will never forget you. May God rest your soul and bless you now and forever more! Mike - God speed!

A precious one from us is gone
His life, a beautiful memory; His death, a painful loss.
Rest in peace Ton-ton Mike,we will miss you.

I will miss Mike for so many things. I will particularly miss our discussions about his property on the sleeping Aburi Hills. May God grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss of a so gentle a friend.

Mon tres Cher ami Mich. Je t'aime beaucoup mon roi repose en paix tu vas nous manquer R.I.P MONICA <3 ...

Dear Uncle Mike as i affectionately called him......for me, I knew you lived for Christ, so now that you've been called by Him, you are resting in His eternal glory. When I told Andrew & Marc, Andrew exclaimed...."tonton" Mike !!! Ohhh". this shows how loving and caring you were to both great & small. We'll really miss you. R.I.P till we meet again.

My Dearest Cousin Michael was a special and rare gem given to all of us by God. I will forever remember his warm smile and embrace. I will cherish all the good times and the presents he gave me especially the shawls from Tunis. I remember we danced on Christmas Day and you were your usual happy self. You lived your life to the full and made an impact on many peoples lives. May you find your deserved rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus. We are proud we knew you and to have you in the family. You will never be forgotten.

An epitome of humility, selfless love and warmth. Sleep well in His bosom and may we live our lives guided by your principles of selfless service to mankind.

Mike! Will miss you.You touched the lives of many and the tributes are true reflection of how special you are. Not too many leave this earth and remembered with such admiration and the Ghanaian community share that pride. Will remember you for your happy-go-lucky perception of life and above all your kindness and warm heart. Rest well while the name Mike KWAFO lives on.  Da yie! Wo ne Nyame nko!

I still cannot believe Michael left us, so soon! This is a big loss not only to the Ghanaian community but also to the whole Bank. Michael was the one and only person in this Bank able to project the best image of the Institution in the course of his daily responsibilities: with charm, placidity, gentleness, kindness and always with a smiling face.

I shall comfort myself through this quote by Maya Angelou: “A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again”.

My thoughts are with his family and with you all. Please, accept my deepest and sincere condolences.

My dear "Nana Kwafo",

Our Lord Jesus Christ had said that He would wake you up on the Last Day. Our Lord is faithful.

So, rest in perfect peace until the Last Day when, by the Power of Resurrection, we meet at Jesus feet. Amen

Your "Chief Adigun"

Dear Mike, your’s was a life well lived, a fight well fought and a race well run. Through your gentle soul, you have touched many of us in your own ways and we are eternally grateful for it. As the Almighty places you in his comfort, we say sleep well Brother, until we meet again in eternity!

Mike was a special person dedicated for comforting and helping in a very friendly way. It was not difficult to see his genuine concern and eagerness to help all of us. He will be missed. Let his soul rest in peace.

Mike, I am writing this today, 2 May, your birthday. I cannot help my tears, but all the same I must wish you a happy birthday because the Christian that I am and that you are tells me that you are indeed enjoying a new birth at the Lord's side. Mike, just a few little days before your birthday, our Lord decided to call you home. He decided that you should now be rid of all earthly pains, tribulations and travails and that He wanted you close to speak with , sing for, pray to and worship Him with the saints previously crossed over to the Great Beyond. He knows best! Nonetheless, we will miss you Mike. Not so long ago, we were chatting about our impending return to Abidjan and the 'vengeful appetite' with which we would 'attack foutou banane and sauce arachide'. Thank God we shared those last moments of laughter and lightheartedness. Alas! No one now to call me 'Madam Mandela', your sobriquet for me after I interpreted for Late Madiba and President Houphouet -Boigny of the Ivory Coast. Mike, your radio-broadcast voice clearly expressing your thoughts and ideas in impeccable Westminster English will be missed. Your thoughtfulness, generosity, kindness, intelligence, and politeness will be sorely missed. As I love to say, Mike, you were so proper!!! Such a gentlemanI My thoughts go out to your family, darling daughter, sister, and all your loved ones. I pray for all of us, for we are myriads who love you. Indeed, Earth has lost but Heaven has gained. Rest in perfect peace with the Lord.

May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Rest in the bossom of the Almighty of God.

My optimistic, selfless and ceaselessly kind cousin, you left us hastily, nonetheless we know we will see you once more, for this is the hope we have in Christ Jesus, being re-united in the Lord. 

Offei - Rest in peace.

Mon cher et ainé Michael, tu nous as quitté prématurement pour réjoindre ton Seigneur qui t'attend les bras ouverts. On ne cessera de louer tes qualités humaines intrinsèques: courtoisie, humanisme, humilité, disponibilité, amour, .... Union de prière pour le Repos éternel de ton ame auprès du Tout-Puissant, Michael.

It is May 2nd today. It IS Tonton Mike's birthday. Dear Lord, thank you for giving us the grace to have him live with us, love us, inspire us and challenge us.

It is well.

C'est avec une grande consternation que j'ai appris ton décès. Tu as guidé mes premiers pas à la BAD. Je revois encore ta fière allure sur le parvis de EPI.A. Tu n'as même pas eu le temps de manger ce riz bété dont tu me parlais tant. Tu manqueras à ta miss Gagnoa. Que ton âme repose en paix Myke.

Tonton Mike! Rest in peace bro in the bosom of Jesus! You will forever be remembered by those of us whose lives you touched! Today is your birthday and God decided that you should be there with Him. No more pain, no more sorrows! Rest in Peace!

Michael, cette dimension n'est qu'un passage, comme le dit si bien Saint Augustin. Tu nous as devancé dans ces prairies éternelles, mais nous te retrouverons donc un jour, "...transfiguré dans l’extase et le bonheur, non plus attendant la mort, mais avançant, d’instant en instant avec la foi, dans les sentiers nouveaux de la Lumière et la Vie !"...
Requiescat in Pace.
Elise

TO MY DEAREST COUSIN AND FRIEND''.!!

It is with a heavy heart that I write these words in memory of my departed dearest cousin and brother Michael. Despite our family relationships, Michael (as I chose to always call him), was a perfect example of a heart warming big brother I believe, a lot of people would have cherished to have had. The several times we met when I lived in Ghana over a decade ago, was fascinating and amazing. Fond memories of Abidjan and Accra / Aburi (our home town), continue to linger in my thoughts to this day. I will always remember our recent lengthy conversations on 'Viber'. Our family has indeed lost an important icon who is irreplaceable. His down to earth attitude and amazing love for humanity was unquestionable. See, our forefathers were the trailblazers of Christianity to our country Ghana. They bestowed in all of us generations after, love, affection, importance of family, steadfastness, humility and all the attributes encapsulated in our Christian Faith and Values. If Michael might have shown anybody who had had the opportunity to have known him such qualities, then I personally, I am not surprised at all.

Fare thee well Michael. I know our Almighty God who is the maker and redeemer of our souls will take good care of you. You will forever remain in our minds until we all meet again.

Je n’ai malheureusement pas eu la chance de connaitre Mike, mise à part l'échange de quelques pas de danse endiablé lors de la dernière fête de fin d'année, ou il "transpirait" littéralement la joie de vivre et la bonne humeur !
Je comprends par les témoignages que j’ai raté là un grand Homme…Paix à son âme.

It is with deep sadness that my family and I have learnt of the untimely passing of our brother and friend, Mike Kwafo. Mike epitomized all that is good and "soulful" about humanity. We were touched by Mike's genuine sense of service, support and friendship when he helped us settle in Tunis in 2006 after my appointment as Vice President at the AfDB. We express our sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. May his soul rest in peace. Mandla and Karen Gantsho

Dear "Big Mike", I remember the first time I met you in the ADB office in Abidjan (2002) and my husband Mash introduce you as a great man with a great heart. Although we met rarely after that, you remained a great supporter to Mash which was evident when I met you last July. Even through you illness you continued to be a tower of strength to many near and afar.We shall endeavor to emulate your kindness and generosity. Rest in eternal peace Dear "Big Mike". With love from all of us in Nairobi.

One of the finest ambassadors of Ghana, I had the privilege and honour of knowing Mr. Kwafo right from the time I landed at the airport in Abidjan in 2002. Those were trying days and Michael rendered yeoman's service to all the new arrivals, and always with a smile!
The same warm welcome was at hand when I came to Tunis. We met each other every fortnight as he would conduct the induction sessions, and I would represent Treasury there. When he introduced me to the audience in his baritone voice, I felt so proud and wanted.
Full of warmth, full of smiles - that was his nature, and when some of us complained that the Bank had not been fair to him, he would shrug it off. Other than having a beer under the mango tree in his farmhouse, the Bank was the only place he wanted to be and that is where he was!
Nobody clapped louder than my wife and I when he received the medal for 25 years of service this Februar!
All of us have to go one day but he went too soon. He was a true gentleman, the finest of his generation.
When it is my turn to move on, I do not want anyone else but Michael to conduct my induction up there.
May his soul rest in eternal peace!