The late Ŋubuake Philomena Amedzro of Meƒe: Gone but not Forgotten

Introduction

Ideally, an outstanding person must be recognized and appreciated in his or her lifetime and not to be eulogized after death. However, it is appropriate that whenever the opportunity eludes us to praise an individual in his or her lifetime, we must not hesitate to do so posthumously. This way, subsequent generations can read about the person and perhaps emulate him or her. This is the impetus for this piece in honour and memory of the late Ŋubuake Philomena Amedzro who was simply called Sister Philo.

Parentage

Sister Philo was one of the daughters of Ametsie Kumah Amedzro and Aƒenɔ Comfort Doƒe Antonio (a.k.a Aunty Doƒe), both of whom died years ago. She was the 2^nd of her father’s 14 children and the 1^st of her mum’s 3 children. Whereas her dad hailed from Mepe (Meƒe) Adzigo, her mum hailed paternally from Woe Gbordzorfeme and maternally from Mepe Akorvie Agɛnuƒeme.

Sister Philo was born on 31^st August 1949 and died on Sunday, June 24, 2003, and was buried on Saturday, July 5, 2003. Some of her siblings are Solomon Kofi, Eric Skeeter, Ahasl Yayaa, Egbezuale Yao, Jojo, Majorie Fiifi, Erica Esinu Aʋadetsi, Mawuena Kwabena, Perpetual Efe, Winfred Stark, Benedicta Senyuie, Sylvera Dzifa and Maama Adzo Sreku IV, who is currently the Queen Mother of Mepe Traditional Area.

Academic and Professional Pursuits

In 1968, Sister Philo completed Standard 7 or Form 4 at the erstwhile Mepe Presby Middle School and she was the only lady who passed the final year exams in Mepe Presby Middle School that year. Sister Philo then enrolled at Saint Anne's Vocational School in Nuaso, which she completed with distinction in 1972. Her exceptional talent in her chosen vocation emerged conspicuously and that became a great benefit to the Mepe Traditional Area.

Marital Life

Sister Philo married Mr. Geoffrey Ahedemla, and they gave birth to a daughter by name Dzidzornu Abla Ahedemla, who is currently a graduate and a businesswoman.

Dzidzornu Abla Ahedemla - (The only child of Sister Philo)

Disability is not Inability for Philo

Though she was physically challenged and moved in a wheelchair due to Poliomyelitis, she was talented and intellectually productive, training most fashion designers who hail from Mepe. She modernized the fashion industry at Mepe. Suffice to say that her physical disability did not impede her aspirations. Accordingly, despite her physical challenge, she became a successful fashion designer Mepe ever produced. She was independent, hardworking, Godfearing and respectful. She was equally skillful in catering services and trained some of her apprentices in that as well.

Philo’s Sterling Qualities

Sister Philo was equanimous, academically good, compos mentis, humorous and generous. Her generosity knew no bounds as she even trained some apprentices free of charge.

In fact, some of her apprentices who provided information for this write up testified that Sister Philo instilled discipline, smartness, and cheerfulness in them and she encouraged them to explore and know more in the fashion industry. She insisted that every apprentice should be neatly dressed all the time because she herself was a neat and a well-dressed person. However, she did not mince words in disciplining or scolding her apprentices who did something untoward.

Former apprentices, Lucy Atani-Adukonu and Vivian Mawutor Fosu recounted how their madam was lovely, generous and was willing to train her apprentices to become the best on the market and she was a mother of a sort to all her apprentices. They said, “Sister Philo was a patient and peaceful madam who counselled and encouraged us to excel. She was not discriminatory.”

Some of the Amedzro family members indicated that Sister Philo was a lovely and caring person among her siblings, nieces, and nephews. She cared for others. She was a dedicated communicant Catholic who hardly missed mass.

Sister Philo’s brother, Joojo Amedzro remarked, “I recall with nostalgia that she would transit Asutsuare to and fro school, just to make time to watch her favorite TV programme dubbed, Home Makers, in the hope of learning a recipe or two which she would try the next day. I am grateful to Mr. Philip Korto Afeti for his intention to write about my sister.” Others also said that Sister Philo used to keep the drinks offered her as customary rites by the apprentices, for as long as her siblings and friends were not available to make merry.

Ŋubuake Philomena Amedzro, we still remember your good deeds on earth and for the Mepe community. Fare thee well sister and May the Lord God continue to rest your gentle soul in peaceful eternity till we meet at the resurrection.

Philip Afeti Korto

Health Service Administrator

[email protected]