The Man and his work
March 5, 2011
The late Mr. Robert Kofi Mensah Britwum (Jack) was born on October 24, 1930 at Bonkrong a town between Nsuta and Mampong in the Ashanti region. He attended Roman Catholic School in Bibiani. In the early 60's he was awarded an academic scholarship to study in the then Yugoslavia in Eastern Europe.
In Yugoslavia he attended Belgrade Agricultural Junior College where he obtained an associate degree in science and continued to earn a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Belgrade and finished top of his class with first class honors, an achievement he proudly shared with his wife when she joined him for the graduation ceremony in the spring of 1969. The faculty of agriculture awarded him a fellowship grant with which he completed his Master’s Degree in plant Genetics in 1972.
He returned home to Ghana and joined the Cocoa Service Division of Ghana Cocoa Board in March of 1973 as cocoa officer at Juaso in the Ashanti Region. His work with the division later took him to Jamasi, Bunso, Sunyani, Koforidua and Accra in various capacities as Senior, Principal and Regional Cocoa Officer respectively. In Accra he served as the Executive Director of Extension services, a position he held till his retirement from public service in December 1996.
His carrier spanned across research, production and distribution of high yield (hybrid) cocoa and coffee seedlings to the Ghana cocoa farmers. His large portrait which hangs inside Opeibia House says it all - his contributions to Ghana’s golden pod.
He was survived by his wife of 52 years "Maa" Grace Oppong Britwum and 9 biological and adopted children Augustina, Gifty, Sammy, Agnes, Aba, Frank, Agatha, Ernest and Prince. He left behind 15 grandchildren.
He will dearly be missed. Dad Rest In Perfect Peace.
On December 16th, 2021, your dear wife and our mother Maa Grace also left us to be with her ancestors. May the good Lord keep you till we meet again.