TRIBUTE TO LATE KODWO HAYFORD.
”A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.“ Proverbs 18:24 NKJV
It’s been a very difficult duty putting together this eulogy in memory of one I hold so dear and have come to regard as a true elder brother more than a friend. A relationship that started well over 30 years ago as casual friends, quickly transitioned and blossomed into that of two inseparable brothers of the same family.
Indeed I and Kodwo, as he insisted I called him, virtually became part of our respective nuclei and extended families. There was hardly a day we never spoke on the phone.
My home was his own and he often spent time on weekends, either alone or together with me at my country home at Tutu Akuapem. In fact my guest room became the sole preserve for Kodwo that it was christened and still called “Mr Hayford’s Room” several years after his frequent visits had ceased due to his failing health.
Mr Kodwo, as I affectionately called him most times, was a bubbly, pleasant, kindhearted and a very generous person, who freely extended help to the needy and the underprivileged.
Aside from the numerous acts of generosity the Educated Fisherman, as he humorously called himself, will in particularly be remembered by my family for his regular supply of quality fish which, continued even long after his retirement from active fishing.
He particularly adopted my mom as his own and dotted on her with such generosity and love that knew no bounds. And the old lady is now just inconsolable and beside herself with so much grief.
We have been there for each other through good and bad times and Kodwo’s prolonged ill health, which rendered him immobile and consigned to the wheelchair for so many years, had particularly been a great source of pain and anxiety for me and my family.
And in line with the ethos of our friendship, we together with other friends mobilized every resource and assistance we could muster towards his recovery but all to no avail.
Kodwo, you have fought a gallant and spirited fight against this strange and debilitating sickness, and we were all hopeful you would one day fully recover for us to have a joyous celebration. That was however, never to be and you have gone to be with your maker.
You have been a true friend and and a cherished brother and I will sorely miss you. I am however comforted in the knowledge that you are now in a better place, devoid of all the unbearable pain and trauma you were going through.
You are physically gone from us but the memories of your kindness and humanity will continue to reside in our hearts forever.
May the Lord grant you a perfect and peaceful rest until the day of the resurrection when we shall reunite.
Rest well my big brother. Nyame nfa wo kra nsie.
ADIEU.