Tonton mike I called him. Great guy with a big heart and a winning smile. Everyone is always welcome with him. It's a great loss which is irreplaceable. What can we say! Big heart is gone home, but he left us with great memories. The Lord keep you my brother. You were a gem. Myself, Korkor and ewuraba will forever remember. Salut tonton!!!

Offei “Tonton” Mike, when we spoke the last day before your admission, you assured me that it was going to be well and I went ahead and broadcast the good news to Ɔhemaa and the boys. Yes, your voice was slow but you gave me hope that, you were going to be well to travel to London for your scheduled check-up. Unfortunately, that was the last we heard of you.
You were a gem and we would dearly miss you. I remember what you went through to comfort me, when I had the plane crash in Abidjan, in April 1997. Your selflessness, was always there for all to see and this was beyond that of any one, that I have ever met.
The deep voice that, was never raised, the calmness in all difficult situations and your usual cool remark, “God is in control”.
Together with Ɔhemaa, the boys and especially your own Kofi, we are most grateful for all the support. 
Let me say in Twi:
"Barima ba, ɔkwan so brɛ brɛ
Aburi dehye, dammirifa due
Offei, nantew yiye
Onyame mfa wo nsie"

Tonton Oburoni John, as you referred to me

What a loss. Such a kind, gentle, generous and patient person... O Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You, hoping for all things from Your goodness. You make a root flourish beneath the soil; You can make fruitful the darkness in which I find myself today. I adore You in all Your purposes even without knowing them; Your will be done, not mine. May I be patient! It is so difficult to realize these trials, heartbreaking as they are, can be turned into blessings. Lord, give me peace of mind, peace of heart, and peace of soul, as I offer You my thoughts, my words, and my actions, and yes, Lord my sufferings. May they all be for Your greater glory, Amen.

Michael, A very caring person always knowing when people are feeling down or in need of help. One of the first ADB staff I met when I arrived here in Tunis, Tunisia always working never giving up figuring out things constantly. Even if it is something that he has no experience in he would always make everything happen. Michael is a person that would miss his plans of the day to come and help you run all your errands because he cares about our comfort. No where will we find someone like Michael in this world. You shall always be remembered.
Farewell Uncle Michael
Rest in eternal peace

Neeve Sarah Bazigaga
Student at ACST

I recall with much fondness how Michael warmly welcomed me to the AfDB when I arrived in Tunis. His new staff orientation made me feel at home right away. We struck a chord and became friends immediately. Who would have imagined then that he would no longer be with us today. Mike, you'll be sorely missed, dear brother. Rest easy and be at peace where you are now. By His Grace, we shall meet again.
With warm and friendly memories - Richard

Uncle Mike, when you sent me mail with the photos and videos recently I initially had difficulty opening the attachments but I kept trying. I informed you and you sent me another to retry and that also was difficult to open. I decided to keep trying till it worked and then I happily sent you mail that I had finally opened the mail and together with 'Maman' we had seen the wonderful video and photos. This time around you did not reply my mail and then I resent it, still there was no reply. The silence was very unusual of you so I wondered why and quickly enquired, only to be told you were in hospital. Uncle Mike, how do I explain to 'Mr. Seli' as you fondly called him? Your advice on how to help Sinam learn to speak French practically was awesome and much appreciated. We all miss your warmth, your love, you selflessness, your care, and above all your wonderful smile! Uncle Mike, we are devastated but we still believe that you are in a better place. That you are resting in the bosom of our Lord. I wish you a very happy birthday because I know you are smiling wherever you are. We all love you Uncle Mike. Maman, Kofi, Setri, Sinam, Seli all send their Love. Rest in perfect PEACE!

Darling Mike, I cannot question God but to give Praise and Thanks to our Maker. I have not for one minute regretted knowing you and loving you. I believe it is for a very good reason that God brought you into my life. It has been too short a relationship but My God!!, it has been the sweetest part of my entire life. Bonbon de Mon Ceour (as we called each other) I truly would have loved you to live much longer but our God knows best. On your birthday today I say Fare thee well My beloved husband until we meet again. Adieu.

Dear Lord, we thank you for the life Tonton Mike lived. Thank you for the smiles he put on our faces, thank you for he was a great source of inspiration, a generous man. Though we hurt, help us to trust that you will help and sustain us. May Tonton Mike rest in the Lord's arms.

Tonton Mike - Sleep tight until resurrection morning - I will miss you.

Dearest Brother Mike. Happy birthday big-bro..I still can't believe you are gone. We all loved you so much and still wanted you with us. But our Loving God had other plans, and He decided to call you home. It is well. It is well. We miss you terribly Mike. We shall never forget you; your total kindness and smiles. Till we meet again. RIP Mike.

My Uncle Michael was a tower of strength for so many of us, we will be poorer for his passing, but he is in a better place now and tonight he sleeps with the angels. We must now remember the good times, laughs and advice that he shared with us so often.

Sleep well Uncle

Eternal rest grant unto Mike, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

. I knew my brother was a very special child of God, a gentle soul, a lover of life who loved all people and who loved his job. But it was not until Mike was taken ill and he came to London for treatment, that I really got to know Mike and how he 'ticked': this selfless man, selfless to a fault!  who always put others first, who could relate to and share his ginormous wisdom with both young and old.
 
There are many here today (and many that could not be here) who will have stories to tell about their encounter with Mike and his impact on their lives. I have to tell you that the same stories about Michael are recounted by family and friends. Every time I hear these stories about Mike, I think to myself, "Yes, that is Michael!"

I am personally proud to have been a small part of Michael Kwafo's life - if you knew Mike then you accepted that you had to share him!

The family is heartbroken at the unexpected demise of our beloved, Michael, but we also hold on to the belief that Michael is resting in the bosom of his maker.
Rest in Peace, Mike. Damirifa Due.

I lived my first decade in the 60s, but it wasn't until Michael arrived in London and walked into 23a St Gabriel's that I truly understood what "cool" meant. From the perspective of a 9/10 year old he was tall, graceful, and sooooo mellow. This guy who seemingly without any effort or exertion managed to calm down the dynamic energy in the house as we went about our 'manual labours' (his description). While I can recall Ellen cooking with the girls, and Fred up a ladder with Uncle Jack clearing gutters, I honestly don't recall Michael doing any physical work at all! BUT what he did do very well was keep his beloved 'Aunty Kwafoa' company, and in doing so took a little of her heat off the rest of us.

Education and life moves meant that we didn't properly meet up again until he was well settled in Abidjan, and I in Accra. Our visits to Michael's home were always magical times of boundless hospitality and great generosity. We must have been a trial to Raymonde and to Tach, but Michael was a people-magnet: we just couldn't stay away. 

And those debates. Michael had two poles: Eburi and Abidjan, and lived the values of a pan-Africanist.  He had studied it all - in two languages! In conversation with him he challenged us on our unthinking stereotypes, and dared us to reveal our colonised minds. There was always a 'take-away' after one of those sessions. 

There's so much I will miss Michael for. Hearing his greeting 'Cuz!', his unconditional but not unthinking support, his heart. And while I am devastated that he's gone, at whatever moment I think of him I do so with a smile and a sense of peace. Thank you, Michael, for everything.

My friend and Brother, I miss  you so much already. The many hours we spent together talking about everything and nothing in particular. The many battles we fought together in the office to ensure things were done right. Your constant words of encouragement, gentility and thoughtfulness are the things I remember and hold dear;  your gifts of flowers; how you will drop by my house with a bouquet of flowers and said " Oh Aweuze these are from Mr. Oku's representative in Tunis". You gave so much of yourself, of your resources just to put a smile on every person's face. No human being was insignificant to you. 

You touched all our lives in a special way. The pepper soup I made that we were supposed to share on the 19th April in still in the freezer; but I am comforted knowing that you are eating Angels food right now. 

You were a noble person without guile and very selfless. Rest with the Lord until we meet again to be ever present with the Lord.

Goodnight my dear brother and friend.

So much life so little time, you are loved, respected and missed.

Rest my friend