Tears in Fafraha

A GNA colour by Agnes Boye-Doe and Samuel Osei-Frempong

Fafraha (GAR), Oct. 07, GNA – A rush of cold wind swept her tired feet. It sent shivers up her spine, also over stretched since her dear sister’s death.

It was the eve of her burial and the reality had struck her. Her confidante and friend will be committed to the earth, according to Presbyterian burial rites.

She could not sleep a wink as she watched the early sun glowing in a golden hallow, announcing the day she wished will never come.

Tears welled up in her eyes, dripping down her soft cheeks into her cleavage. With swollen eyes, she prepared herself for the morning burial service.

The coffin rested at the foot of the steps that led to the preacher’s pulpit at the Victory Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Fafraha, Accra.

The Women’s Fellowship members joined the congregation to sing and cry hymns to usher in the burial ceremony of their fallen compatriot.

The Reverend Minister preached salvation, Christian endurance, dedication and devotion to God and humanity.

The tribute bore testimony to her earthly endeavours. It was not an issue of not speaking ill of the dead but a true testimony of a woman who loved humanity and feared God.

Josephine Akweley Boye-Doe was a mother to her children, husband and extended family.

Nothing overwhelmed her as she always wore a reassuring smile and the will and ability to solve problems.

Her moves were tactful, combining entrepreneurship, charity, family and church to great effect.

She adopted Fafraha as an adult resident and left behind many footprints in this modern sprawling community.

She joined the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Mount Zion Congregation, in 2009; and that same year became an active member of the Congregation’s Women’s Fellowship, where her devotion and diligence to duty led to her being elected as its President.

Through dedication, hard work and the Grace of God, she was later elected President of the Ga Mission Field and successfully completed her first four-year term of office.

Her exemplary Leadership, diligence to work and the trust she built within the Women’s Fellowship made it possible for her to be re-elected again as the President of the Women’s Fellowship for another four-year term.

From 2017 to 2020, she was elected as the Vice-President of the Fafraha District Women’s Fellowship.

She carried out all her duties judiciously with commitment, and a deep sense of responsibility, working hand-in-hand with her Executive Members to provide the much-needed support to ensure a well-nourished Fellowship.

Her contribution to the spiritual growth and cohesion of the Fellowship were invaluable, earning her the respect and admiration of all those who had the opportunity to work with her.

Additionally, her affable nature, ability to relate effectively with fellow members and commitment to perfection led to her becoming the president-elect for the second time of the Fafraha Women’s Fellowship in 2020.

Josephine’s leadership of the Fafraha District Women’s Fellowship ended on the 26th of May, 2024, when she handed over as President after many years of dedicated service to the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.

She was an active member of the Labone Old Students Association and a former Chief Cashier of the GCB bank.

The Church fell silent after the tributes and the various rites as the pall bearers took their positions.

There was no rain. There was no hissing wind. There was no dust gathering whirlwind.

The sky was clear and bright as she was conveyed to her final resting place.

When she lived among humans, she was calm, generous, protective and reassuring. Even the elements of nature could not resist, mimicking her nature.

A gentle wind passed over the fresh grave and lifted the loose ends of the wreaths, creating a gentle wave.

Heaven waited for its new citizen but at Fafraha near Adentan in the Greater Accra Region, tears and tears will for a long time flow in memoriam.

She fell in love with Mr. Alexander Boateng and committed her nuptials to him, bearing and nurturing their children in their warm home.

She entered the earth orbit on September 26, 1960, and exited it on 13th June 2024.

GNA