In Memoriam: Akenten Appiah Menka, Esq

“Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel”-W.S.

My first recollection of seeing Lawyer Akenten Appiah Menka (Kwaku, Ken, Apino) as known to his intimate friends was during my secondary days where we lived in the same neighborhood opposite the Roman Girls School at Ashanti New Town Kumasi. He was an up and coming lawyer trained in London with an undeniable swagger. He drove an American sports car, smoked a custom designed smoking pipe, spotted huge well kempt mustache and big Afro hair cut and wore a well-cut conservative London suit. He looked quite inspiring and impressive, and l could only admire him from a distance. I only dreamt about being like him one day.

Some years later when I returned to Ghana from U.S., I had the opportunity to personally meet Ken through a mutual friend, the late Edward Osei Gyamfi of Bikkai Pharmaceutical fame. We bonded immediately and each time I visited Ghana the two friends played hosts and extended every possible courtesy and hospitality toward me. Thereafter, my superficial impressions about him started giving way to what type of person he really was, a deep thinker, extrovert, vivacious, energetic raconteur, generous almost to a fault, caring, and a vehemently patriotic Asante and Ghanaian.

What do I remember most of the legacy he left that touched my heart? The many great accomplishments he achieved and the lasting impact on those he has left behind. He was a magnanimous person who was dedicated to philanthropy, an Asante history , business, politics and law. He distinguished himself well in every endeavor he pursued.

His philanthropic spirit knew no bounds. He singlehandedly built a dormitory for his beloved alma mater Abuakwa State College (Abusco). He built his soap company Apino Soap during very difficult political times and government threats. Through Ken’s tireless resolve, APINO became a house hold brand. However, even then he found a way to generously give credit chits and discount cards to individuals and some small retail businesses in Kumasi and Accra to freely market his soap to those in need.

A Professor friend of mine at the University of Kentucky once narrated to me how Ken became his benefactor. He was a graduate of Abusco and was studying microbiology at KNUST in Kumasi. He was awarded a scholarship to do a summer internship at one of the German universities. His problem was getting his air fare. A friend recommended that he approached Mr. Appiah Menka. Duly, he went to his office and when he introduced and told his story without looking up he wrote a check to cover his air fare and some spending money to boot. There are a volumes of stories that would take days to tell of Ken’s altruistic giving.

I remember a personal story Ken shared with me which I later read in his autobiography “From River into the Sea.” During the revolutionary days of the Rawlings regime, Ken was President of Association of Ghana Industry. He was incarcerated without trial due to the excesses of the resolution. He was among the delegation of AGI scheduled to visit Lomé before his imprisonment. So he asked his lawyers to bring the case before a Judge in order to seek a permission to make the trip. On the day before their departure he was brought to court and asked the Judge permission to travel abroad , but the Judge summarily rejected his motion and ordered that he be sent back to prison. About twelve hours later there was a press report that the entire AGI delegation Ken was originally scheduled to join had been involved in a fatal accident with no survivors. A few years later he met the Judge who profusely apologized for his behavior, but Ken quickly replied “You owe me no apology; rather I should thank you for saving my life.” Such was a man in a country where it was commonplace for parishioners and pastors to pray for curses and pestilences on their enemies. He was circumspective about vicissitudes of life, forgiving, and looked at the blessings that adversity sometimes brings.

The final book project Ken worked on before his transition was entitled “Ashanti Legends”. He explained the purpose was to chronicle the rich heritage and successes of people of Asante decent both at home and within diaspora. He wanted to tell the stories of those who have excelled in their chosen field of a careers or professions and have contributed something truly meaningful to society. He asked that I be included among such eminent personalities. My modest question to him was why me? Without hesitation he shouted back “As an Asantekwaa from Atimatim, Kwabre ni ba, you went to America, after secondary school, to obtain a high academic and professional laurel thereafter where you made a mark in the legal profession; eventually, you became the first African Deputy Attorney General and Administrative Law Judge in Kentucky, USA. You are an inspiration to the young people of Asante heritage and Ghana and your story needs to be told”. A lump came to my throat and I could only mutter an earnest “Thank you Ken.” He was a man who was selfless, considerate, and ready to share or celebrate openly both achievements and failures with his true friends.

As we say in America “he was also there for me or he had my back”” in times of adversity or grief in my family whether I am in Ghana or not. Just last March, I lost an uncle and when I went to see Ken soon after my arrival in Kumasi- I found him wheel chair bound. I told him not to bother coming to the services due to his condition. However, during the course of the funeral someone called me outside to see a friend. There Ken was, waiting in his car. He could not get out but expressed his deepest sympathies and offered me a donation. That’s what time of man and friend he was even until the end.

We read in Shakespeare’s Hamlet Polonius advice to his Son “Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel.” Ken’s life certainly exemplifies this maxim. In other words, he kept his friends close, which in turn made us all richer and better as human beings. It was a real privilege for me to have known him and came to know him as a true friend. The Good Book promises us that if you run the race well , fight a good fight, and keep the faith we will be rewarded with the eternal glory from the Lord. Yes, Ken has earned his crown. His spirit is now resting in eternal peace with the Lord! To his beloved and devoted widow Rose and to all his children: My deepest sympathy and condolence for our collective loss. I have faith we shall all see him again one day in the hereafter.

***REQUIESCAT IN PACE, KEN***
Dr. Agyenim Boateng,
Retired Deputy Attorney General & Administrative Law Judge,

Kentucky, USA