Tribute Biography Of The Late Mr Ellis Koomson

The late Mr Ellis Koomson was a beloved son, husband, father and brother. He was a trusted friend and colleague, and a committed servant of the Ghanaian labour movement.

At different seasons of his life, he was known by different names. In secondary school, his friends called him "Filanto." At the University of Ghana, he was affectionately known as "Pages" - a name that captured his love for reading, his searching mind and his distinctive engagement with ideas. In the final days of his life, he embraced the name "Paul of Tarsus" as an expression of his renewed commitment to Christ.

Behind all these names was one remarkable man: Ellis Koomson.

Birth and Family
Ellis was born on 27th July 1982 at the Tema General Hospital in Tema, the fifth child of Mr Abraham Koomson and Madam Grace Ampah.

Growing up in Tema, he developed the calm disposition, intellectual curiosity and independent spirit that would define his personality for life. He was naturally reflective, always looking beyond what was immediately apparent to seek a deeper understanding of people, ideas and events.

He was married to Mrs Wendy Ellis Koomson, and their marriage was blessed with two children. He cherished his family deeply and maintained a special bond with his parents, siblings, wife, children and extended family.

Education: A Life of Learning
Ellis began his formal education at St John Bosco Primary School, a Catholic school in Tema Community 2. He later continued at Joint Church Primary School before moving to Star School in Tema Community 5, where he completed Junior Secondary School.

He then proceeded to Aggrey Memorial A.M.E. Zion Secondary School in Cape Coast, where he pursued General Arts and completed his secondary education in 2001. It was here that he became known as "Filanto."

In 2002, he gained admission to the University of Ghana, Legon, to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with Philosophy as his minor - a choice that reflected his enduring interest in society, public institutions, human conduct and the deeper questions of life.

His undergraduate research examined the emergence and development of labour unions in Ghana, an early sign of the professional path he would follow for almost two decades.

It was also at Legon that he became "Pages." He once explained that when reading, he would turn through the first, second, third and fourth pages of a book before settling on the page he considered most relevant to his work. That distinctive habit gave him a name that stayed with him throughout his adult life.

Ellis later pursued postgraduate studies at the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam in The Hague, Netherlands. Supported by a scholarship from the Dutch Organisation for Internationalisation in Education, he obtained a Master of Arts in Development Studies, specialising in Social Policy for Development, in 2013.

His postgraduate work covered human rights, poverty, gender, social protection and transformative development. His master's thesis examined child labour in Ghana's cocoa sector, focusing on its underlying causes and the roles of the various actors involved.

For Ellis, education was never merely about certificates. It was a means of understanding society, interrogating injustice and finding practical ways to improve the lives of others.

Professional Life and Service to Labour

Ellis began his association with the Ghana Federation of Labour in 2006 when he undertook his national service with the organisation. There he was introduced to collective agreements, arbitration awards, labour legislation and the practical realities of industrial relations in Ghana.

Following his service, he joined the Federation in 2007 as a Research and Industrial Relations / Labour Officer. Through diligence, competence and commitment, he rose steadily and in December 2020 became Head of Research and International Affairs, a position he held until his passing.

In that capacity, he led the research work of the Federation and coordinated its international engagements. He provided research and strategic support for programmes and campaigns, developed project proposals, conducted field and desk research, coordinated workshops and maintained relationships with local and international partners.

His work addressed critical issues in the world of work, including minimum wage legislation, child labour, forced labour, gender inequality, conditions of employment, corporate accountability, social protection and the sustainability of agricultural production chains.

Ellis did not regard research as a purely academic exercise. To him, it was a means of giving expression to the experiences of workers, strengthening trade unions and contributing to fairer labour and social policies. Behind every report, statistic and policy proposal, he recognised the life and dignity of a worker.

He contributed significantly to capacity-building for the Federation and its affiliates, notably in developing the Federation's four-year Strategic Action Plan for 2022-2026. He also helped coordinate programmes on social protection, social security and innovative approaches to organising workers in the changing world of work.

His work took him to several countries, including Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, Kenya, South Africa and the Netherlands. He represented the Ghana Federation of Labour at major international programmes and at successive sessions of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, contributing to discussions on international labour standards, occupational safety and health, social dialogue and tripartism.

In June 2026, he received a significant professional honour when the United States Embassy in Accra nominated him for the International Visitor Leadership Program project titled "Workforce Development: Pathways for Youth," scheduled for 30 December 2026 to 17 January 2027 in the United States.

The nomination to the U.S. Department of State's premier professional exchange programme was a fitting affirmation of his competence, leadership potential and contribution to his field. Though his passing made participation impossible, the nomination remains one of the final and most meaningful professional honours accorded him in his lifetime.

For almost two decades, Ellis served the Ghana Federation of Labour with loyalty and distinction. He became an important part of the Federation's institutional memory - a thoughtful professional whose research, counsel and quiet labour strengthened the organisation and advanced its mission.

Personality
Ellis was calm, humble, tolerant and deeply reflective. He was also outspoken and intensely engaging, particularly when discussing an issue about which he held strong conviction.

At times his views could be controversial, but they were seldom casual or thoughtless. They came from a philosophical mind prepared to question assumptions, examine issues from different perspectives and arrive at independent conclusions. He could disagree firmly while remaining respectful and humane.

He enjoyed reading and occasionally playing basketball - interests that reflected two complementary sides of his personality: the reflective man who found companionship in books, and the brother and friend who could step onto the court and share moments of competition, laughter and fellowship.

Faith
Ellis worshipped at the John Wesley Methodist Church in Tema Community 11. His Christian faith formed an important part of his personal journey.

One of its most profound expressions came during his final days. On 17th August 2026, during an interaction with his wife Wendy and his brother Kenneth at the International Maritime Hospital, Ellis declared that he had renewed his commitment to Christ and asked that from that moment forward he should be known as "Paul of Tarsus."

That final declaration remains a profound source of comfort to his family - a personal affirmation of spiritual renewal and of the identity he believed he had found in Christ.

Illness and Passing
Ellis fell ill on 3rd August 2026 and was admitted to Sunel Specialist Hospital. On 6th August 2026, he was transferred to the International Maritime Hospital in Tema, where he remained on admission until his passing on Wednesday, 19th August 2026.

He was 44 years old.
His passing has created a painful void in the lives of his wife and children, parents, siblings, extended family, friends, colleagues and the entire Ghana Federation of Labour fraternity.

Yet the value of Ellis's life cannot be measured solely by the number of years he lived. It must also be measured by the family he loved, the knowledge he pursued, the institutions he served, the workers whose experiences informed his research, the minds he challenged and the memories he created.

He leaves behind a legacy of learning, service, conviction and quiet strength.

The man known in secondary school as Filanto, affectionately called Pages at the university and beyond, and who in his final days embraced the name Paul of Tarsus, has completed his earthly journey.

But the pages of his life are not lost. They remain in the knowledge he shared, the work he accomplished, the questions he asked, the faith he affirmed and the love he left behind.

Rest peacefully, Ellis.
Rest well, Pages.
Until we meet again.