The righteous perish and no one ponders it in his heart. Devout men are taken away and no one understand that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk upright enter into peace, they find rest as they lie in death (Isaiah 57:1-2..NIV)

Nana Kwasi Asante II who was known in private life as Ben Abraham Boadi-Afoakwa affectionately called Teacher Ben, was born on 18th December 1949 at koforidua the regional capital of Eastern Region of Ghana. He was born to Opanyin Joseph Kwadwo Boadi of blessed memory and Obaapanyin Alice Asante also known as Mad. Yaa Sarpomaa who is still alive. He was the 5th born and the 4th male child of his parents.

EDUCATION

The late Nana Kwasi Asante II schooled at Presby ‘B’ Primary and Middle school from 1955 to 1965 at Koforidua where he obtained his Middle School Leaving Certificate (MSLC). After completing his Middle School education and longing to be an educator, he furthered his education at Anloga Teacher Training College from 1969-1973, where he successfully obtained his four year Teacher Cert.’A’. He sat for the GCE ‘O’ level and GCE ‘A’ level in the years 1974 and 1975 respectively and was successful. He also enrolled at then Institute of Professional Studies for a one year programme in Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) course.

WORK LIFE

Nana Kwasi Asante II as a professional teacher  taught and headed many schools at the Basic Level in the New Juaben Municipality which included Koforidua Ada L/A Primary School (1977-1979), Oyoko L/A Middle School (1979-1984), Suhyen L/A Middle School (1984-1986) as Head Teacher, St Joseph’s hospital (Orthopaedic Dept.) and Asokore R/C school. He retired from active service after serving thirty one years with the rank of Assistant Director of Education.

His passion for education led him to establish the Shining Stars International School at Effiduasi in September 1994.

 Nana did not forget his maker while he lived and served his maker at the Presbytarian Church.

 FAMILY LIFE

 In the year 1978 as Nana was still an enterprising young man and wanting to lead morally acceptable and disciplined family life, he joyfully married Madam Florence Agyeiwaa as his wife who stood behind him and gave him all the support he needed. He was survived by nine children and sixteen grand children.  

 SOCIAL LIFE

 Nana Kwasi Asante II always demonstrated his desire to make a difference in the life of people wherever he found himself. Nana after passing his college education, gave a very good account of himself not only as a dedicated teacher but also a motivator who transformed many lives.

 Teacher Ben as many called him was very friendly and therefore was loved by all both young and old. Those who knew him testified that he was quiet, gentle, humble, serviceable and above all hardworking. It was by this testimony that when he was nominated to ascend the throne of the New Juaben Asokwa Stool.  Not a single member of the Asokwa family opposed his nomination, every member of the family gave him the needed support. Nana Kwasi Asante II was enstooled as the New Juaben Asokwahene for 13 years from 2002 until his demise. Owing to his hard work and dedication to the New Juaben Traditional Council, he was recognized by the Omanhene of New Juaben by receiving a certificate of recognition during the ‘Akwantukese’ festival in 2013.

 Nana was an assembly man for the Debrakrom electoral area for 2 terms from 1993 to 1999. He was the chairman for works and development committee.

 HIS DEATH

 In the morning of Friday the 20th November 2015, Nana was knocked down by a motorist when he  was by the road side in front of his residence. Nana was rushed to the Koforidua Regional Hospital for treatment. On the morning of 26th November 2015, Nana’s condition of health grew worse so he was rushed to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra where death laid its icy hands on him.

Ei! Kyεnkyεn bi na adi Asokwa Abusua awu sei. Hmm yεn na yεni oo. Odupͻn kεse atutu wͻ Asokwa abusua mu na ato yεn abeseweε. Yεnni hwee a yεbεka sε ebia kwan yi so na Nana bεfa so akͻ ne “Bͻfo” nkyεn akͻhome dwoodwoo.

It is our trust that it is the Lord Himself who gave him to us for 65 years, and has taken him back from us at His own appointed time for safe keeping in His bossom. Nana Damirifa Due oo! Damirifa Due!! Due ne Amanehunu, Onyame mfa wo nsie na Dayie kosi sε yεbεhyiam bio.