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19.12.2014 Opinion

A Tribute To Mr Alex Asabere

By Daily Guide
A Tribute To Mr Alex Asabere
19.12.2014 LISTEN

His death struck me like a thunderbolt even though I don't have any blood relations with him. He is a proud Ashanti from Atwima Kantinkyiren and I am also a proud Fanti from Agona Duakwa in the Central Region.

Notwithstanding these marked biological and ethnic differences, I became very close to this great son of Ghana who passed on about two months ago at the age of 76 and eventually became his adopted 'son'. I first met Mr Asabere when I had the privilege to participate in a two-week intensive journalism course in London organised by the Reuters Foundation in November, 2001.

My affable Managing Director then, Gina Blay, gave his number to me and asked me to look for him whilst in London since he was a 'strong political being' who would be willing to give me an interview for publication. So a day before my return I called him and he directed me to his office in Leytonstone.

He gladly received me upon arrival and spoke at length about his sojourn in the United Kingdom and a political movement called the Ghana Democratic Movement that he formed in the UK to fight for Ghana's early return to democracy when former President J.J. Rawlings was leading a military rule in the country.

I did the story for him and posted a copy of the publication to him in London. He was so happy with my output and that started our 'father and son' relationship. He would often call to find out how I was doing.

He also made me do some more stories for him. He was so kind and was giving remittances to me as and when I was 'broke'. In 2003, I went back to the UK to seek greener pastures and Mr Asabere was so helpful to me. He helped me to find a job at a hotel in Docklands and also assisted in my feeding.

In return, I also helped him in his office at the weekends and did some errands for him. He would sometimes drive me in his car from Leytonstone to Broadwater Farm, Tottenham, where I was living when I visited him.

I returned to Ghana after a seven-month stay when new immigration laws on employment were introduced in the UK. Back in Ghana, he was still in constant touch with me. When he eventually relocated to Ghana in 2007, I had then been transferred to Koforidua as the new regional editor of DAILY GUIDE . He paid a surprise visit to me at Koforidua and took me out for lunch. I was so happy and returned his gesture by driving him back to Accra.

The last time I saw Mr Asabere was in Kumasi when the National Commission for Civic Education had a regional workshop for selected journalists from Eastern, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo. I called him and paid a visit to him at his residence in Kumasi in the company of some of my colleagues.

In my relationship with him, I readily found out that he was so open and generous. He also did not joke with his work. He would ensure that whatever he set for himself, he would achieve it. He was so ambitious and often basked in the glory that he was not only an Ashanti but also a royal.

Mr Asabere told me a lot of his activities in the UK and how he supported opposition leaders like Nana Akufo-Addo and J.H. Mensah in their fight to liberate Ghana from the grips of dictatorship. He also told me about his close relationship with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, right from London to Ghana. Mr Asabere stood for excellence and boldness. While in London, he would tell me that in 'Abrokyire' you always have to be fast and 'smart'. Mr Asabere was not only an asset to his immediate family members but also an asset to all manner of people who came into contact with him. Ghana has lost a great man, Asanteman has lost a great man, and his family too has lost a great son.

His footprints will always be indelible in the minds of those who have had any kind of relationship with him while on earth. Mr Asabere 'me ma wo damirefa due, due due ne amanihunu. Saa na owuo de beye obia'. Rest in perfect peace as you are laid to eternal rest at Kantinkyire in the Ashanti Region tomorrow, December 20.

By Thomas Fosu Jnr,
Daily Guide's Parliamentary Correspondent

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