The Apino Man Enjoys Eternal Sleep

“I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. “Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.”

Leonardo da Vinci.
AKENTEN APPIAH MENKA, like Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, may have achieved greatness without knowing who their fathers were. Call Appiah – Menka a village – boy and he would not wince. Call him a stow – away and he would say: 'Wonim me'. Call Appiah – Menka a successful politician and he would respond positively. Call him an industrialist, lawyer, statesman… and to all these, he would acquiesce. Read the book 'The River In The Sea', and you will appreciate the man the more.

Eighty-four years ago, that is around the year 1934, Eno Akosua Boursono gave birth to a boy whom she named Kwaku Menkamasem. What did Eno know which she kept secret? That boy was to be one of the heroes of our time.

Aboabugya may not be too far from Kumasi and this is where our hero was born. In those days- not now – it was a long journey from there to Kumasi, and our hero would make it on foot to Kumasi to sell baskets he had made and foodstuffs from his mother's farm.

Few people knew that Appiah – Menka's Christian name was Samuel, a name he picked from a basket of 'chance' Christian names. He attended the elementary school at Kinkaso and Aboabugya. For his secondary education, he first went to Zion College, Anloga, and later, he attended the Akim Abuakwa College (Abusco). Then as fate would have it, he stowed away to Europe and got enrolled in North Western Polytechnic for his GCE A Levels. After studying Law at the Manchester University in 1959, he was enrolled in Lincoln's Inn, and was called to the Bar in 1960. That same year, he returned to Ghana.

He did his pupilage at NYB Adade's 'Yaanom Chambers' and combined a successful practice with farming after acquiring a 600 – acre palm plantation at Akrofuom, near Obuasi. The Appiah – Menka Complex benefited from palm oil from his farm to produce 'Apino' soap, which was sought after during the heady days of the 1980s. It was simply different from the 'Don't touch me' which was common on the market in those days. His elder brother used to repeatedly say 'Apino, Apino' and he gave the name to the soap.

Appiah Menka had played his role as an astute politician of the Danquah – Busia Dombo tradition. In the prelude to the 1979 elections, he was instrumental in uniting the forces of the PFP – UNC, having known the personalities in both factions from his days as a Deputy Minister (of Trade and Justice) in the Busia – led PP government of the early seventies.

He played an active role in the affairs of Asanteman. He sought to write 'Asante History' (and he engaged me personally in 1979 – 80) to start the pioneering work; he later engaged some gentlemen to search for 100 prominent Asantes for special mention.

After the 'one – week' celebration on Tuesday, 20^th February, this year, the burial service was held on the forecourt of the Coordinating Council of Ashanti. It was simply a grand occasion. The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, looked gorgeous in his mourning cloth. The Vice – President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and former President, John Agyekum Kufour flanked the president.

The burial service organised under the Methodist church was attended by NPP stalwarts who included the vivacious Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah, the erudite Yaw Osafo Maafo, the youthful looking Alan Kyerematen, the Chief of Staff, Madam Frema Opare, Hon. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah and his deputy, Madam Elizabeth Agyemang, Honorable Kan – Dapaah, the Kumasi Mayor, Osei Assibey Antwi and most of the MMDCEs of Ashanti. Kofi Jumah, Chairman Antwi Bosiako, Hon Dan Botwe were all there. (No particular protocol is observed in the listing of names here). The traditional presence was felt: Nana Otuo Siribour, Juabenhene, who doubled as chairman of the Council of State was there. And, of course, the representative of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, was also present.

The opposition NDC was well represented by the respectful and respectable Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader, the Members Ghana Bar Association in Ashanti, led by Francis Koffie was also there. So were the clergy, business tycoons, and members of the diplomatic corps.

The body lay on a pall guarded by soldiers from the 4^th Battalion for viewing. The choir from the Methodist Church sang melodious songs from their repertoire and the message from the preacher man was simply “Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” Otumfuo Osei Tutu II had instructed the draping of the body in gold. The President eulogized the contributions of Appiah – Menka, as a nation builder and as an industrialist; a founding member of the NPP and a member of the Council of Elders of the NPP. He, the President, had lost a “valued senior counsellor”. Other speakers, including the Regional Minister, Mr Simon Osei Mensah had toed the President's line. They all paid glowing tribute to Mr Appiah Menka for his exquisite contribution to the country's politics, business and entrepreneurship. He was indeed an icon in this country's socio – political, economic and democratic development.

The body was conveyed to Appiah – Menka's home town, Aboabugya in the Afigya – Kwabre District, where people had lined the streets to watch the cortege pass. “My life is filled with more ups and downs”, the spectators would recall with him.

The Asante Students Union Alumni (ASUA) noted: “Wofa was an Asante patriot who suffered political vicissitudes and vilification by people who hated Asantes. His enemies conspired to break him by bringing down his Apino Soap Industry. In all these machinations, Wofa, was unbreakable and unyielding. He could not be forced to give up”. What he did not do for Asante was not to have named an heir to defend Asante – unlike Baafour Akoto who named Appiah – Menka as an heir to defend Asante on his death bed. ASUA Wofa's 'mmrantie' will miss the opportunities to wine and dine with him, and also use his house as their meeting place.

Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin Okyehene reminds us that even though 'Appiah – Menka was a bona fide citizen of Asanteman, his statesman shrewdness transcended his ethnic affiliation”. Alan Kyerematen recalls that when Appiah Menka introduced another premium soap brand “King Soap', Unilever “was forced to launch a competing product 'Ring Soap' which failed to survive in the market”.

Kantinka Sir Kwame Donkor Fordwor recalls: “Aketen… appreciated very much the need to achieve consensus on all issues rather than abandon ship”. His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor writes: “The Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition has surely lost a stalwart. Ghana has lost an industrious son. I mourn with the widow, Adwoa Dufie, the children, and the rest of the family…” And Addo Kuffuor adds: “… My prayer is that the Creator will give you peaceful rest in his bosom”.

Various tributes also poured in: Ehunabobrim Prah Agyensaim VI, Dan Botwe, John Boadu, Cecilia Dapaah, Prof. Wayo Seini, Dr Amoako Tuffour, Dr Oheneba Owusu Danso, Stephen Ntim, Ken Ofori Attah, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, Francis Asenso-Boakye, and, of course, Prof Mike Oquaye, who wrote: “You came to this world in simple humility, you rose to dizzying heights by dint of hard work. Many loved you; some hated your daring courage, but such is life…” Such is life, indeed.

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Africanus Owusu-Ansah