Wesley Methodist Cathedral, Adum, Kumasi ORDER OF SERVICE She is Gone for the Burial of Dr. Mrs. Peggy Enid Appiah MBE You can shed tears that she is 18th March, 2006 gone Or you can smile because she has lived PART I - CHURCH 5. Vote of Thanks - By a Family Member You can close your eyes and 1. Procession Hymn - The Cathedral 6. Benediction pray that she will come back Choir Or you can open your eyes and 2. Scriptural Sentences - The Minister OFFICIATING CLERGY 3. Opening Hymn - MHB 831/CAN 267 Rt. Rev. Nuh Ben Abubekr, see all that she has left 4. Prayers (Bishop of Kumasi Diocese) Your heart can be empty 5. Biography - By the Family Most Rt. Rev. Bishop Peter Akwasi Sarpong because you can’t see her 6. Solo - Miss Diana Addotey (Metropolitan Archbishop of Kumasi) “My heart will go on” Rt. Rev. Edmund Kodjoe Yeboah Or you can be full of the love 7. Tributes - By (Rtd. Bishop of Anglican Diocese, Kumasi) that you shared (a) Children Very Rev. Samuel Fred Ansuh You can turn your back on (b) His Excellency the President Rt. Rev. Dr. E.H. Brew Riverson, of the Republic of Ghana (Wesley Cathedral) tomorrow and live yesterday (c) Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene Rev. Ebenezer Nkrumah Adutwum, Or you can be happy for (d) The Church (Chaplain, Osei Tutu Secondary School) tomorrow because of yesterday 8. Anthem - By the Cathedral / Rev. John Kofi French, St. George’s Choir (2nd Minister - Wesley Cathedral) You can remember her and 9. Scripture Reading - Rev. 7:9-17 Rev. Samuel Osam Duodoo, only that she is gone 10. Hymn - MHB 896 (Minister in Charge, St. George’s Church) 11. Sermon Or you can cherish her memory 12. Offertory - Singing Band STEWARDS and let it live on 13. Hymn - MHB 215 CAN 67 Mrs. Doris Amoyaw You can cry and close your 14. Commendation / The Lord’s Prayer Mr. Samuel Owusu Mensah mind, be empty and turn your 15. Acknowledgement 16. Benediction Choir Master back 17. Dead March in Saul Mr. Ade Whaja Or you can do what she would 18. Recessional Hymn -MHB 651 want: smile, open your eyes, Organist PART II AT THE GRAVE SIDE Philip Osei Akoto love and go on. 1. Hymn - MHB 12 (Anon) 2. Committal VISITING CHILDREN’S CHOIR 3. Prayer The Crown Prince School Musical Group, 4. Hymn - MHB 35 Buokrom Estates, Kumasi

  Dr. Mrs. Peggy Enid Appiah MBE May 21 1921—February 11 2006 THIS IS HER LIFE In the course of a long and productive life, beginning with these English roots, she traveled widely and worked in three continents, spending her final half century as a beloved and patriotic citizen of Kumasi, Ashanti and Ghana, but never losing her affection for the English countryside in which she grew up.

Afena - Recognition of gallantry

nid Margaret Cripps was born on and her parents, called her Peggy or Peg. May 21st 1921 in a small hospital Her parents had been married for ten Ein Lechlade in Gloucestershire, just years, and her father was a successful across the county border from the home young barrister, specializing in patent of her parents, Stafford and Isobel Cripps, law. Her mother, Isobel Swithinbank, was in the village of Filkins in Oxfordshire. the grand-daughter of J.C. Eno, whose Filkins lies on the edge of the Cotswold invention of the extremely profitable Eno’s Hills, a region in the West of England that Fruit Salts meant that Isobel was heiress grew rich on the wool trade in the Middle to a considerable fortune. Ages. In the course of a long and productive The family had only recently moved into life, beginning with these English roots, Goodfellows, the home in Filkins where she traveled widely and worked in three Peggy grew up; a Cotswold-style manor continents, spending her final half century house, whose decoration and development as a beloved and patriotic citizen of Kumasi, owed much to the influence of Sir Lawrence Ashanti and Ghana, but never losing her Weaver, the architect, who was, with his affection for the English countryside in wife, Kathleen, one of Stafford and Isobel’s which she grew up. closest friends. Kathleen Weaver died in 1927 Enid Margaret was the youngest of of pneumonia. When Sir Lawrence also died four children. When she was born, her in 1930, their two sons, Purcell and Toby, brother John was nine years old, her were, in effect, adopted by the Crippses. In sisters Diana and Theresa were 7 and 2, later life, Peggy always regarded them as and from her earliest days all of them, her brothers.

 Growing up in the country, in the care of her where he served in cabinet with Lord Parmoor, as mother and her beloved nanny, Elsie Lawrence, and Lord President of the Council, and was joined later by with the companionship of her sister Theresa, she Stafford, as Solicitor General. (It was at this time that spent much of her childhood exploring the English her father was knighted.) Among her favorite visitors to countryside, collecting the wildflowers and the fruits the family home at Goodfellows was George Lansbury, and mushrooms that grew in the hedgerows and who was leader of the Labour Party in opposition in the meadows of the 500 acres of her father’s farm and 1930’s, before Clement Atlee; and, indeed, a photograph the surrounding woods and fields. As members of the of Lansbury was one of the only adornments of Peggy’s British Wildflower Society, she and her sister learned office in her last home in Kumasi. how to identify plants and got to know the common and Peggy’s family were not only devout Anglicans, Latin names of many of them. She was to transfer this they were deeply involved in the life of the church: interest in later years to the flora of Ghana. This love of Parmoor was an ecclesiastical lawyer, a member—and the countryside was something that united her family; in 1911 the Chairman—of the house of Laymen in indeed her brother Sir John Cripps, not only farmed the Province of Canterbury, Vicar General of various at Filkins all his life, but edited The Countryman and English provinces, and author of Cripps on Church was later the European Countryside Commissioner. and Clergy; Stafford, it is sometimes said, was the One other interest that her family shared was a great first layman to preach in St Paul’s Cathedral. When love of poetry. Peggy began to write poetry as a girl and she was preparing for her confirmation, she told her continued to do so throughout her life. parents that she had doubts about some of the thirty- 7 On her father’s side, the family had long lived in nine articles of faith of the Church of England, and her Theresa and Peggy.

Gloucestershire: they were a solidly upper middle-class father arranged for her to discuss them with his friend, 7 Dame Isobel Cripps. family. Stafford’s father, Lord Parmoor, was a lawyer William Temple, Archbishop of York (later Archbishop who had been ennobled in 1914, when he became a of Canterbury). Peggy used to enjoy telling people that member of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. as they had gone through the 39 articles, each time Stafford’s great-great grandfather, Joseph Cripps, had she had expressed a doubt, the Archbishop had said, been MP for Cirencester, not many miles away; and “Yes, I find that one very difficult, too!” She decided when Stafford’s father was a Member of Parliament he that if an Archbishop could lead the church with his represented Stroud, another Gloucestershire town. doubts, she could join it with hers. And, indeed, her The political connections of Peggy’s family were firm but undogmatic Christian convictions sustained extensive on her grandmother’s side as well: two of her her throughout her life. grandmother’s sisters were married to the MPs Henry Peggy had a conventional education for a young Hobhouse and Leonard Courtney; another, her great- woman of her class and time. She was educated first aunt Beatrice, was married to Sidney Webb, who served at a day school at Queen’s College, Harley Street, with her grandfather Lord Parmoor in the first Labour and later at Maltman’s Green, a boarding school in Government, in 1924, and was Secretary of State for Buckinghamshire, where she and a group of friends the Colonies in the second Labour government in 1929, attended a Quaker Meeting House. Through her parents’ connections, she also began to learn something 7 top to bottom: of the world outside England. In 1938 she and her • Rt. Hon. Sir Stafford Cripps father of Peggy Appiah. family spent several months in Jamaica, and in the • Lady Isobel Cripps, Peggy’s mother. • the four sibblings, Sir John Cripps, Peggy, Lady Theresa Ricketts, same year Jawaharlal Nehru, with whom Stafford had and Diana Cripps. begun an extensive correspondence as a result of his • Peggy and her parents.

  interest in the development of democracy the Foreign Service, she found herself in the British colonies, visited Goodfellows working for a Mr. Cook in the consular with his daughter Indira. department in Teheran. Later on, when When she finished school, Peggy applied the British Army took over the Iranian to Edinburgh University—she wanted, she railway system, she worked as a secretary said in later years, to get away from the for the Brigadier who was in charge. influence of home—and then went off to In 1942, she returned to England, Italy to study the history of art in Florence accompanying her father, who was and to sketch. But this was 1939 and the returning from a visit to India. They traveled Second World War was looming. She had through the Middle East on a seaplane, to return back hurriedly to England from landing on Lake Galilee in Palestine and Florence, and she declined her place at the Nile in Egypt, where she was able to Edinburgh University, enrolling instead at see the pyramids. This was also her first the Whitehall Secretarial College, which visit to the African continent. For the rest had been evacuated to Dorset with the of the war she worked in the Ministry of onset of bombing in London, so she could Information, first in the Indian Division start work immediately. and then in the Soviet Relations Division, Once she had completed her training, where she was able to use her knowledge she was able to set off to join her father of Russian in her work. As her father in Moscow, where he was then British committed himself full time to politics— Ambassador and she was able to be useful and to the reduced income that came with as a secretary in the embassy. Because the loss of his legal practice—the family the direct route to Moscow would have gave up the large house at Goodfellows required traveling through German- and moved into a smaller house at Frith occupied Europe, she and her mother and Hill in Gloucestershire, though her brother her sister Theresa, traveled to Russia by John eventually took over the running of way of Canada, crossing the continent on the farm at Filkins. the Canadian Pacific Railway and then At the end of the war, Peggy was passing through Japan and China and exhausted. She had given up her place crossing the Soviet Union by rail. at university to be useful during the war; In Moscow, Peggy did secretarial work now she found herself experienced but for her father and became friends with unqualified for the job she was already the daughters of the Yugoslav and Chinese doing. She was sent to Switzerland to rest ambassadors, and the daughter of an at the Bircher-Benner clinic in Zurich, Iranian diplomat, who was to remain a spent a summer in Lugano studying life-long friend. In 1941, at the age of painting, and returned to London to take 20, with her parents in London, and her up the study of art full time at the Anglo- sister in Iran, she was left in charge of the French Art Centre in St. John’s Wood, in evacuation of the British Embassy, with London. Then she took up painting in a the German invasion of Russia looming. small studio in the apartment of the artist Since she was officially a secretary in Feliks Topolski and attended life-classes

 at Hammersmith Art School, under the people like the Nehrus, Peggy, who was tutelage of Carel Weight. now in her mid twenties, knew many Throughout this period she was in close people from many countries and also knew and regular touch with her parents, even much more about life outside England, though her father was increasingly busy indeed outside Europe, than most of her with his political work. With the Labour contemporaries. This experience, along victory in the 1945 election at the end of with her deep Christian commitments, led the War, Stafford had entered the cabinet her to work for cooperation among peoples; as President of the Board of Trade, where and in the late 1940s she started to work he spent most of his time working on for an organization called Racial Unity, negotiations with the leaders of Indian which had been started by Miss Atlee, independence, including Gandhi, Nehru sister of the Prime Minister, as well as and Jinnah. In November 1947, he became becoming active in the Youth Department Chancellor of the Exchequer and most of of the World Council of Churches. It was the rest of his life he helped to manage through her work for Racial Unity, of the beginnings of the post-War recovery which she was secretary in 1952, that of Britain and the creation of the modern she first met Joseph Emmanuel Appiah, welfare state. who was President of the West African In 1942, her mother had agreed to Students’ Union. Their friendship grew lead a campaign to raise money for aid fast and in January 1952, with her father’s to the people of China, who were facing blessing he proposed and she accepted. great suffering as a result of the Japanese At the time, however, Peggy’s father invasion, floods, disease and famine. Stafford was extremely ill. In May of the Six years later, the Chinese government previous year, he had been taken to the invited Lady Cripps to visit their country Bircher-Benner clinic in Zurich and was so that they could see what was being eventually thought well enough to return done with the money and express their home to the family’s home at Frith Hill. gratitude for the work of British United But in early January 1952 he was flown Aid to China. Peggy went along as one of back to Zurich, where he died nearly four her mother’s traveling companions. Since months later. As a result of this illness, the money was meant to be used to help all Isobel decided that it would be best if the Chinese, they both stayed with General the engagement should be kept secret to Chaing Kai Shek and Madame Chaing and avoid the press furore. Then, once he died, also visited the Communist “Liberated custom required that the engagement not Areas” in Yenan, where Peggy met Chou be announced for another year. In the En Lai and Madame Mao. On their way meanwhile, Peggy’s mother suggested that back from China, she and her mother she should visit the Gold Coast on her traveled through Burma and India. own, traveling out by steamship to see the As a result of her experiences in country of her intended husband. Jamaica, Russia, Iran, China, Burma and Much to her surprise, Joe was already India, and her family’s friendship with at home in Kumasi, when she arrived,

10 11 “... She traveled to Kumasi on Christmas Eve 1952, where she was Everlasting love ... until death. reunited with her fiancé, and met his family, for the first time, with him, on Christmas Day. On New Year’s Eve she attended the Watch Night Service at the Wesley Methodist Church in Kumasi, worshiping for the first time in the church which was to celebrate her funeral more than fifty years later.” having flown back urgently on the death as to what she was doing in Ghana, and of his granduncle, Yao Antony, whom he because the engagement had not been was to succeed as head of his family. announced, Peggy was not able to explain She traveled to Kumasi on Christmas Eve the real reason for her visit. She told 1952, where she was reunited with her the Daily Graphic that “as a member of fiancé, and met his family, for the first a political family in Britain, I am very time, with him, on Christmas Day. On New interested in the people of the Gold Coast Year’s Eve she attended the Watch Night and in their political advancement.” Along Service at the Wesley Methodist Church with her future husband’s family and in Kumasi, worshiping for the first time supported by such ladies as Mrs. Jemima “Nkunkyire na éma Burowaa dware asukökyeaa” - Going to sleep with her husband makes Buruwaa bathe in icy water. in the church which was to celebrate her Poku and Mrs. Claud-Enin, she met many (If you want something enough, you are prepared to suffer for it) - “BU ME BE” pp 656 No. 3748. funeral more than fifty years later. She prominent Ghanaians: the Asantehene, also visited the campus of what was to be Mrs. Aggrey, wife of the founder of Hugh Gaitskill, Stafford’s successor as Joe was to finish his legal training at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science Achimota School, Kofi Antuban, the artist, Chancellor was there, as were Michael Middle Temple. In May 1954 their first son, and Technology—then a one-year old Nene Mate Koli, as well as such leaders of Foot, future leader of the Labour party, Kwame, was born (amid another flutter of teacher’s training college—for the first the independence movement as Kwame Lady Quist, the wife of the Speaker of the newspaper publicity) and in November the time; a campus where she was to send her Nkrumah, Kojo Gbedemah, Kojo Botsio, Gold Coast Assembly, and Krishna Menon, young family arrived in the Gold Coast to children to primary school and where, at and Krobo Edusei. She came home looking India’s ambassador to the United Nations. begin their new life. During this period, the age of 84, she received an honorary forward to making a life in her husband’s A Jamaican newspaper commented while Joe was developing a legal career degree of doctor of letters, to her great country. that there were “top-hatted and frock- and beginning his life as a politician, delight. The announcement of their engagement coated British aristocrats… ex-Cabinet Peggy focused most of her energy on her Peggy always said that she knew at in 1953 produced a firestorm of comment Ministers … as well as several Tory and young family—Kwame, Ama, Adwoa and once that she would be happy in Ghana. in Britain and around the world; and when Socialist members of Parliament.” The Abena — and on working as a secretary The warmth of Ghanaians and their Peggy Cripps and Joe Appiah were married real attraction, however, were the kente and legal assistant in his law office and for appreciation of her fuller figure made more in June 1953, the occasion was front-page cloths worn not only by the bridegroom his constituents, supporting her husband sense to her than the somewhat formal news in Britain, in Ghana, and many other but by many of his friends. Coverage as she had supported her father. She style of the English. On her first trip, she countries and the event was one of the in newspapers around the world ranged learned to wear cloth, started attending traveled as far north as Navrongo, crossed social events of the year. George Padmore, from the hostile—in South Africa and funerals, and got to know her husband’s the Volta and entered French Togoland, the West Indian Pan-Africanist was best Rhodesia—to the skeptical (What would family and his father’s family as well. in the east, and traveled to Elmina in the man, deputising for Kwame Nkrumah, become of the children?), to the admiring. They built themselves a home in Mbrom, west. who was too busy as the new leader of Peggy and Joe took their honeymoon where their neighbors were Victor Owusu, Of course, there was much speculation Government Business to attend himself. in France and returned to England where another senior NLM politician, John Brew,

12 13 14 15 and, across the street, Joe’s father, J.W.K. she refused to leave the country and a Appiah and his wife, Aunty Jane. deportation order was withdrawn when a For more than thirty years, beginning in front-page article appeared in the British the late 1950s, Peggy’s extensive library at press describing her situation. At this time Mbrom was made available to the children her son, Kwame, was also very ill. And the of the neighbourhood, who could come next month, the British Queen made her and read children’s books, and, as they first visit to Ghana. While inspecting the grew older, the novels and poetry she Komfo Anokye Hospital in Kumasi, she had collected. Among her most prized passed by Kwame’s bed with her husband collections were many of the volumes of the and President Nkrumah. Since he had a Heinemann African Writer’s Series. Other picture of his parents displayed on his frequent visitors to the house included the bedside table, the Duke of Edinburgh, who 7 LEFT TO RIGHT traders who brought her the goldweights had visited Kumasi previously and met Announcement of engagement (picture taken by press) they had acquired on their collecting trips her, turned back, as he was leaving, to The couple and the brides mother Lady Isobel Cripps through the villages and towns of Ghana. send his regards to her. Nkrumah’s anger Mum and Dad at Mbrom, KumasiKumasi.

She also took an interest in the education at being embarrassed in this way—this 7 The family at Mbrom & Minchin hampton, England. and welfare of a number of young people, was the husband of a foreign head of state who became part of her extended family, sending a greeting to the wife of a man among them Isobel Kusi-Obodom, whose Nkrumah had in political detention—was father died in Nkrumah’s prisons, and Dr. one of the reasons that her son’s doctor Joe Appiah-Kusi of Seattle. was deported. When Joe was elected to Parliament in The combination of her anxieties about the 1956 elections, prior to independence, her husband and her son put her under a she continued to provide a secure home great deal of strain, which was increased to which he could return from his political by the fact that she was pregnant at struggles, forget about politics, and rest in the time with her youngest child, Abena. the bosom of his family. Peggy chose to join Nevertheless, she continued to maintain a the little church of St. George in the center stable home for her children and to work of Kumasi; she worked tirelessly with Dr. quietly for her husband’s release, with the Alex Kyerematen for the development of assistance of her mother, Lady Cripps, the Cultural Center in Kumasi; and she was who was able to visit her son-in-law in active, in accordance with the tradition of Ussher Fort in 1962. her own family, in social work. She was Lady Cripps returned to England on the Committee of the Children’s Home, with her sick grandson; and just before worked with the home for the Destitute in Christmas, in 1962, Joe was released from Bekwai, The Kumasi Girls Remand Home prison and returned to legal practice, and in later years she became a patron assisted, again, by Peggy. The anxieties of of the Ghana National Association for the the final years of the Nkrumah regime were Blind. relieved in 1966, by the coup that ousted When Joe was imprisoned at the orders Nkrumah. In the years that followed, as of Kwame Nkrumah in October 1961, her children were abroad at boarding Mum’s 80th birthday party in England (superstars). Kwame’s 50th birthday party in New Jersey, USA.

16 17 schools and universities, and her husband Other Tales from the Ashanti Gold Weights was active once more in Ghanaian politics in 1977. She also published a series of and as an ambassador for the nation, readers to help Ghanaian children learn she stayed mostly in Kumasi, providing English: The Lost Earring, Yao and the the base from which he could travel out Python, Abena and the Python, Afua and into the world, secure in the knowledge the Mouse and Kofi and the Crow, as well that Peggy was taking care of things on as a series of novels for children and the home front. She kept an eye on the adults, including Gift of the Mmoatia and properties he had inherited from his Ring of Gold, and two volumes of poetry. granduncle. Despite her family’s extensive Perhaps, her most important publication, Presenting a copy of ‘Bu Me Be’ Peggy’s last authored book to H.E. political involvements, Peggy herself was however, which was the result of nearly John Agyekum Kufuor President of the Republic of Ghana. not particularly interested in party politics. five decades of work was Bu Me Bé: Dr. Kwame Nkrumah with Peggy and Joe. She supported her husband, of course. But Proverbs of the Akan, a collection of over her own contributions were through the 7,000 Twi proverbs, which was launched wide range of social work she engaged in. in Accra in 2002. Over the years, Peggy became In 1985, she and Joe traveled abroad increasingly interested in and together to visit their friend Kamuzu knowledgeable about Akan art and Banda, President of Malawi, whom they folklore, as she acquired a major had known during his period of exile in goldweight collection, began collecting Ghana, as the special guest of honour and translating proverbs, and learned to celebrate the twenty-first anniversary Ananse stories, many of them from her of Malawi’s independence. They traveled husband. For three decades, a visit to her widely around the country, before going house and her goldweight collection was on to stay with their daughter, Abena, who one of the highlights of a visit to Ashanti was then living in Zimbabwe, and Ama, for visitors interested in its art. Starting who was working in Angola. Later on in in the mid-1960s she began to publish the decade, they made a visit to Ama in a series of volumes of Ananse stories, Norway, where Joe was diagnosed with the Peggy Appiah with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene. Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, Asantehemaa with her retold for children, which became widely cancer that was to kill him. beloved “wife” Peggy. known in Africa, England and America In 1990, when Joe died, Peggy played and throughout the English-speaking the proper part of an Asante widow in the world. Beginning with Ananse the Spider: proceedings. She never considered leaving Tales from an Ashanti Village, published Ghana, telling anyone who asked her when by Pantheon in New York in 1966, and she was “going home,” that she was home followed by Tales of an Ashanti Father, already. She moved into a smaller house, published by André Deutsch in London, which she built in a compound with a she went on to publish The Children of house for her daughter Abena, continued Ananse in 1968, The Pineapple Child and to work for her church, and went on Other Tales from Asante in 1969, Why studying Akan folklore. She visited her son

There are So Many Roads in 1972, and and her daughters in the United States, At home, before leaving for the presentation of Why the Hyena Does Not Care for Fish and Namibia and Nigeria, and was visited mummy’s MBE. From the left, Abena, Remi, Mum, Mimi, Adwoa and Ama. Presentation of mummy’s MBE by the British High Commissioner.

18 19 T H E F A M I L Y

Aunty Peggy’s own

Gye Nyame - Except God United Nations 20 21 in turn by her children and sons-in-law, and her six grandsons, Kristian, Anthony and Kojo, children of Ama and Klaus For those I Endresen; and Tomiwa, Lamide and Tobi, children of Adwoa and Ola Edun. In the love house next to her, with her daughter Abena, and her grandchildren, Achaa, When I am gone, release me – let me go, Mame Yaa and Mimi. In 1996 the British I have so many things to see and things queen awarded her the MBE “for services to know. to UK/Ghanaian relations and community You mustn’t tie yourself to me with welfare”. In 2001, she visited England for tears, the last time to celebrate her eightieth but shed a few for the love of past years. birthday with the surviving members of I gave you so much love, you can only her own generation in her family and her guess, children and grandchildren, along with how much you gave me in sheer many nephews and nieces and great- happiness. nephews and nieces. In the final years of her life, as she I thank you for the love you each have became increasingly limited in her shown, movements, she continued to be the center but now it’s time for me to travel on of a wide network of family and friends, and alone. a caring household including housekeeper, So grieve awhile for me, if grieve you Mama Rose. Throughout her life she was must, sustained by her Christian faith, by her then let you grief be comforted by trust. many friends in Kumasi—where she was It’s only for some years that we must universally known as Auntie Peggy—and part, around the world, and by the love of so keep and bless these memories within her family. As she wrote at the end of your heart. her autobiography, published in 1995: “I thank God for all he has given me and the I will not be far away for life goes on, happiness He has brought me.” so if you need me – call and I will come. Tho you can’t see or touch me, I’ll be near, and if you listen with your heart you’ll hear all of my love around you soft and clear. And then when you must come this way alone, I’ll greet you with a smile and “Welcome Home”. (Anon)

22 23 Tribute From Her Children As we stand here today, celebrating the life of our mother, the forest of love and respect that surrounds her, the forest of Kumasi, of Ashanti, of Ghana, and of her circle of friends and family in every continent, seems not small but immense.

Anyone for tennis? Cheers! A night out at Alliance Francais, Kumasi.

baatan biara dö ne ba: our proverb a woman born in England would have says. Every good mother loves so wanted to ensure that her children Öher child. And our mother was knew and treasured the precious legacy certainly a good mother to us. When of Akan culture alongside the treasury of we were children, she kept our home English poetry? a place of love and security, when our Let us recall another proverb. Öbaatan father was in Parliament or working nnim ba böne. A good mother does not for Ghana overseas, and even when he know a bad child. Even when we were was a political prisoner. She made us naughty, we knew she loved us. If we Holidaying in Accra with Bea and family. respect learning and helped us with our disappointed her, she loved us still. And ’Lawale takes us out to dinner at Royal schoolwork. She encouraged us both when we triumphed—and if we did it Park Hotel, Kumasi. when we failed and when we succeeded. was because she had prepared us for She cared for us when we were sick. life—she took pride in our achievements. She told us that much was required of When we were at school we knew she those to whom much had been given; was thinking of us every day because and she didn’t just tell us, she showed us she wrote to us every week with news of how to live up to that demand. She gave home and questions about our lives. each of us a moral compass. She taught As the four of us were talking about us, finally, to love the things she loved: what we wanted to say today, we realised It’s highlife time. Mum loved to dance. literature, poetry, service, family, and, that many of our memories were slightly above all, Jesus Christ. risqué; the sort of stories, in fact, that It is surely right to begin a tribute you might not want to tell in church. to her with a Twi proverb, because she Because, though our mother was serious treasured Akan culture, celebrating it in about her commitment to Christ and her writing for people all around the world in her work as a writer and scholar, to share. Who would have suspected that she was also humorous, and capable Last B’day (84) at Lake Bosumtwi. Lets dance! Mum and her darling Lt. Col. “Major” Abban.

24 25 of having fun. Some of her jokes were make a difference, and to make the world not for polite company. Some of her a better place.” Our mother and father Gone From our sight conversation was about topics that might proved the doom-mongers wrong. surprise anyone who saw her only as a We are our mother’s abusua in Kumasi. respectable Christian lady. But here is But in her life, and since she has died, one thing we remember about her that we have been sustained by our father’s we can certainly share with all of you, abusua, by our grandfather’s abusua, because many of you will remember it by so many of the people who knew and too. She loved to dance: she regretted loved her here in this her adopted home. would like to share a have been waiting for her and as she sails that our father wouldn’t dance with her, The ancestors said: “Kwaeé a agye yén few of the thoughts into their horizon they shout joyfully, “Here but she was delighted by the fact that, no, yémfré no kwaeéwa.” The forest Ipassed on to us by she comes! Here she comes!”. here in Kumasi, a woman does not need that has adopted us, we do not call it a Mum in a letter some her husband to dance. small forest. time ago about how to GONE FROM MY SIGHT Since our mother’s death, we have In fact, as we stand here today, achieve happiness in I am standing upon the seashore. been moved by the countless stories we celebrating the life of our mother, the our lives. “The greatest A ship at my side spreads her white have heard from people, both in Ghana forest of love and respect that surrounds support through life is sails to the morning breeze and starts and across the globe, about how our her, the forest of Kumasi, of Ashanti, of a deep religious faith. We for the blue ocean. mother touched and changed their lives. Ghana, and of her circle of friends and must learn to accept that God’s She is an object of beauty and strength. Many people believe that one person family in every continent, seems not small will may be quite different from our own. I stand and watch her until at length cannot make a difference, so they do but immense. And we are very grateful to In all time of tribulation it is your faith in she hangs like a speck of white cloud nothing. Our mother is a good example you all here today and to the many who the love of God which will strengthen you just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. of someone who showed that, yes, one have sent us words of condolence and most”; and she concludes “I would above person can make a difference. celebrations of her achievements from all wish my children to be loveable and Then, someone at my side says; When our parents got married, there Kumasi and all around the world. loved, to give and not to count the cost, “There, she is gone!” and to see throughout what they can give were very many doom-mongers who said But we want you to know that, though “Gone where?” that a marriage between an African and we bid farewell to our mother’s body to the world and not what they can take Gone from my sight. That is all. a white woman could never work and today, we do not bid farewell to her spirit. from it. In this way they will find real She is just as large in mast and hull that they were being irresponsible and We all continue to feel her presence. happiness even in difficult times.” and spar as she was when she left my side condemning their children to a life in the She lives on in us because she was a Her thoughts about death provide some and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. wilderness … and yet, they brought us good mother: her strong heart beats on comfort: “In this age many find it difficult Her diminished size is in me, not in her. up to be independent people, confident in the breasts of her children and her to believe in the continuity of the spirit after about ourselves and our two heritages. grandchildren. We cannot live up to her death. To me there is no such difficulty. A And just at the moment when someone Both she and our father encouraged us standards but we will try to live by her dead body is like a vacated house – the at my side says, “There, she is gone!” inmate has travelled elsewhere. The family There are other eyes watching her coming, to go out into the world, taking the values standards, so that the world will continue realistically consists of those who have and other voices ready to take up the glad that they had imbued in us: honesty, to be enriched by her life and her vision. passed, those who are present and those shout; integrity, and a concern for our fellow who are to come.” “Here she comes!” human beings. They told us: “Wherever Kwame Anthony As I read the poem below, “Gone from my And that is dying. you may go, and wherever you may end sight”, I can just see Mum simply slipping Henry Van Dyke up, remember that you have a duty to out of our horizon, and being welcomed by a crowd of family and friends who have Ama Takyiwah passed. Headed by her dear husband, they

26 27 and flattens an old envelope to make the love of God’s beautiful creation in a list just as you made endless lists on nature. My most prized possessions are A Post Script recycled bits of paper, as I lean over to two books that I begged off you – the first kiss Mimi goodnight and grasp her rather your copy of Untermeyer’s New Treasury too firmly by the shoulders, just as you of Verse which goes everywhere with me. would firmly anchor anyone to receive In times of grief, joy, fear, exhilaration your embrace, and try unsuccessfully I have always found a lifeline within he wise tell us that memories are to explain the purpose of dead-heading its pages. The other is Bruggemans a strong source of comfort after the roses to a bemused gardener; and Tropical Plants. God bless you mummy Tbereavement. We grieve now as as Mama Rose sits Abena down in your for that priceless treasure. you are called home mummy, but we do chair and begins to spoon feed her new So I pray mummy that God continues comfort ourselves with memories. So charge while she, Abena, pushes the food to make you grow in us. And know that many, tumbling around inside one’s head:- round in her mouth in just that way of if, at some future time and place, I find the leap of one’s heart at coming home yours; mummy as we look at each other myself taking out my false teeth and from school and seeing you standing at and notice these things we are suddenly, dropping them in my water glass in a posh the front door to welcome us. The awful, gloriously reassured – in the combination restaurant, I’ll smile and know you’re dead feeling of the house, however full of of us all you live! You have not died! with me still: and I’ll pray that the future people, if you were not there. (We feel We can only hope and pray that in generation – your great grandchildren it now again). You breathed the life, the larger things in life as well, we can, and my grandchildren – will understand warmth and love into its every room. together, be at least a little like you. and smile too!!! Following you to Mr Babu to cajole (Kyerematen) organized and promoted. Suddenly becoming like mummy is a Maame, me do wo. Da yie. some towels out of him for the children’s Those wonderful plays. And the same wonderful prospect! home, or to Irani Bros for rice for the excitement when the scripts started For me two aspects in particular of Adwoa Akyeaa girl’s remand home, or the foam factory coming in for the schools story writing you mummy have become increasingly for mattresses for the destitutes home. contest. I was allowed to read them all. a part of me. The love of poetry and Then playing with the orphans while Our schools were so good back then. you attended the Home’s committee Your encouragement at my nervousness meetings. when I started teaching Sunday School. Waiting impatiently for you to finish And then leaving home for college your compulsory siesta so we could go and marriage in another land. Times swimming at UST in the afternoons. together so much reduced by distance, Singing to you, and to the two Abenas but your love continued to flow in your in bed next door, the latest hymn that Sr letters and visits. Barbara Mary had taught Bea and I, as I And now we are finding a new and Anthuriums, mummy’s favourite flowers gave you your nightly massage in those unexpected source of comfort. As years when your rheumatism was so Anthony reaches over to take the leftovers bad. off Gyamfi’s dinner plate, and dumps the And I shall never forget the thrill of last of the kelewele on Ama’s, he exhibits the season of the inter-schools drama your constant urge to feed and nourish; competition that you and Uncle Alex as Ama sits down and carefully opens

28 29 The Last Days Tribute to Aunty Peggy from her

was in Accra for was sleeping, so I family in England the weekend for a kissed her and told Iwedding. Mummy her I loved her. Oh kept calling me on my God had I known cell phone to say she what was in store, had missed me and Mummy I had so undreds of people were devoted to as the people of Ghana. But her nephews wanted to hug and much more to say Aunty Peggy and the 14 nephews and nieces did respect her, not least for kiss me. I came back and to share. Hand nieces who are the children of her ability to make friends with all people on the Monday, to The next her brothers and sisters were especially from so many different cultures around be told mummy had day, that fateful so. We simply adored her, and always the world. She treasured all these spent the afternoon Thursday morning looked forward to her regular visits to friendships, but none more so than that outside the gate she had a heart England. Here she would enthrall us of her many, many friends in Kumasi. waiting for me, and attack. The doctors with news of her of life in Kumasi – a Our cousins, Kwame, Ama, Adwoa had picked me a did all they could life which seemed far removed from her and Abena and their children are Aunty flower. I rushed into but it was time. roots in the Cotswolds, and a life she Peggy and Uncle Joe’s legacy. Their her room and was On Saturday 11th truly loved. parents were very proud of them all. engulfed in hugs and February, 2006, at Aunty Peggy used to tell us about the We will continue to share our lives with kisses. I then proceeded to do a dance for 1:20 a.m., God called her and she obeyed charitable organizations which were so them, and encourage the links between her, telling her it was the newest dance in as she always said, “to hear is to obey.” dear to her heart. So all her English the different parts of the world in which Accra! She joined in waving her hands, Mummy, I remember you told me to make family were firmly instructed to collect we live to grow and prosper. Mama Rose jokingly said, “Mum, how come sure I prayed hard so as when I die, I cotton garments and lead pencils, and God bless you, Aunty Peggy. You were today you can move your hands with no come to the same place as you and that send them out to Ghana on a regular a truly remarkable and gifted woman. pain?” And we all had a good laugh. you would be waiting. Mummy, my mother, basis. She also told us about her We will all miss you greatly and will On the Wednesday night as usual I best friend, confidant, companion, my devotion to St George’s church, which, continue to enjoy life, inspired by our went to check on her at about 2:30 a.m. love and anchor. I am praying, praying like her Christian faith, meant so much memories of you and the way in which and she was lying in bed still watching hard, I love you, miss you. Without you I to her throughout her life. Those of us you lived. T.V. Mummy had refused to allow Achaa am lost, but I know it is not goodbye. who visited her in Kumasi, used to love Christopher Cripps and Roo and to turn off the T.V. I told her it was late, I will be with you one day. Like we going to church with her – and felt that Barney Rosedale (for the descendants so she should try and get some sleep and used to say, “see you later alligator,” “in the services added another dimension to of Sir John Cripps); Sara Mason (for the put it off. I asked if she was feeling ill or a while crocodile.” our experience of worship. descendants of Theresa, Lady Ricketts; uncomfortable. She said no to both. So During her later years, Aunty Peggy Caroline Baker (for the descendants of I stroked her hair with my hands which Mummy, Rest in Perfect Peace found coming to England somewhat Sir Toby Weaver). she loved, sat by her bed and held her Abena Adoma difficult, as she told us that the English hand. After about an hour, I noticed she did not have the same respect for old age

30 31 Tribute from the President of the Republic of Ghana H.E. John agyekum kufuor

eggy Appiah deserves the Kumasi was the final message of her respect of the Republic of true adoption. PGhana. Coming from a highly Peggy Appiah’s Christian faith respected background in England, was never compromised, as reflected she met an African man of politics, in the upbringing of her children who also from a respected family in have also combined excellently their Anglo- Kumasi, in the days of deep colonalism Ghanaian backgrounds. The last time I met and racial misunderstanding. Yet, they her was when she presented to me, at the understood each other and got married. Castle, her most definitive collection of Akan Since 1954, when she settled in Ghana, proverbs - Bu Me Bé - which she had collected Peggy Appiah always had a very cultured over the years and later edited and published attitude and an open mind, which accounted with her son Kwame Anthony Appiah and for her easy immersion into the culture and Ivor Agyeman-Duah. politics of her adopted home. I was 14 years Apart from being a cultural old when she came and I saw the reception preservationist, a lasting memorial itself, accorded her and in return her genuine love we should rejoice in the quality of children for the people of Kumasi. I can therefore say she and Joe Appiah left behind for us. with authority that she has left a great void in Kwame Anthony Appiah is an acclaimed the social evolution of Ghana. world authority on ethics and philosophy, Mrs. Appiah stood faithfully by her and has taught at our own University of husband, especially when vicissitude came Ghana, Cambridge, Duke, Yale, Harvard in the 1960s and Joe Appiah was thrown and now Princeton promoting in the course into jail, a norm unfortunately associated of his work, Ghana and his Ghanaian roots; with Third World politics. She never went economist Ama Appiah Endresen working back to the civilisation and politics of the with her husband in Namibia; Adwoa United Kingdom which she knew. Rather, Appiah Edun in Nigeria and Abena Appiah Family and Friends she stayed and raised her children—almost in Ghana, have like their parents, done a lot single-handedly at one point—and kept of public good for their countries. herself busy recording the folklore and On behalf of my political tradition of culture of Ghana. which Joe Appiah was a stalwart and on Amazingly , nothing, it seemed would move behalf of the Government of Ghana, we her from Ghana after Joe Appiah died in 1990. wish Peggy Appiah an eternal rest. That she intended to die and be buried in

Rest in Peace Great Humanist!!

32 33 resource and energy to study. She was Tribute from Asantehene much sought out by researchers who Tribute gratefully acknowledged her in their Otumfuo osei tutu II publications. from the Auntie Peggy was the author of many Children's Books and Ananse Stories Secretary- which are enjoyed by children not only General of ost of us knew her as Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, and in Ghana but else where in Africa and Auntie Peggy; and we their son, Oheneba Adusei the Diaspora. She was so completely the United will always remember Poku, Akyempimhene and his adjusted that she became a model for the M many expatriate wives who have made her with deep respect and siblings. Nations affection. Auntie Peggy was welcomed happy homes with their husbands in this Mrs. Peggy Appiah became to Kumasi and Manhyia with country. H.E. Kofi annan a Ghanaian; an Asante, by open arms by Otumfuo Sir Osei Auntie Peggy is gone. But she will never marriage; and she lived as a proud Agyeman Prempeh II: The late Otumfuo be forgotten by Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa daughter and citizen of this country in Opoku Ware II, who as Nana Mathew Ampem, Asantehemaa, Nananom and Kumasi, for more than half a century Poku had met her in London and lent Asanteman. Auntie Peggy Damrifa Due. until her untimely demise a few weeks his support at her wedding in 1953 as a ago. cousin-in-law of the bridegroom. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Today we join her family here in Auntie Peggy was therefore no ane and I were deeply saddened Ghana, and the United Kingdom and her stranger at Manhyia Palace and needed no Asantehene Manhyia, Kumasi March 8, 2006 to learn of the passing of your four children Kwame, Amma, Adwoa and invitation to attend the many ceremonies Nmother Peggy, and wanted to Abena in mourning her death. Auntie and functions held there during her life in extend to you and your family our sincere Peggy was a most respected link between Kumasi. Auntie Peggy exemplified in her sympathy upon your bereavement. Her two illustrious families: that of Sir life the virtues of simplicity, tolerance and extraordinary life and many achievements Stafford Cripps of revered memory, one uprightness. She made many friends and will long be remembered, as will her time Minister for Munitions during the was much admired for her forthrightness. energy and her ability to reach across Second World War, and, later, Chancellor She so cherished her Asante and Ghanaian nationalities and generations through of the Exchequer in the post war British citizenship that she could not be prevailed her writings. Government; and that of her husband, upon or cajoled to leave her home in this the late Mr. Joe Appiah, renowned country to seek asylum or live in exile in Please accept our heartfelt orator, lawyer, statesman and freedom the United Kingdom when the long arm of condolences. Our thoughts are with you fighter who became head of a prosperous the Preventive Detention Act imprisoned at this time of sorrow. dynasty, as the direct successor of its her beloved husband without trial, some founder, Nana Anthony, whose name he five or six years after she had settled in Yours sincerely, gave to Kwame their first child, and only this country. son at his baptism. Auntie Peggy became She was an avid student of the Kofi Annan by marriage a member of a large and customs and mores of her new home. important family which included Maame She possessed a most extensive and Mmra, wife of the late Otumfuo Sir Osei impressive collection of Asante Gold Agyeman Prempeh II, the late Lady weights as well as the Adinkra symbols, Victoria Poku, wife of the late Asantehene, on which she spent much of her time

34 35 TRIBUTE BY ST GEORGES CHURCH

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life, he Who believes in me, even though he dies, yet shall he live”. Amen

rs. Peggy Appiah, affectionately denomination was not a hindrance towards called Aunty Peggy by members her duties to her fellow men. Her residence Mof St. Georges’ church was a at Mbrom, Kumasi was the most vibrant dedicated member of St Georges’ Church and consistent Bible study house group in (an - Independent Interdenominational the Church, in which the Late Joe Appiah Evangelical English speaking Church), occasionally joined. Mrs. Peggy Appiah was Kumasi-Ghana. She came to Ghana in not just an ordinary member but the oldest, 1954 and became a member of St Georges’ in terms of age and membership. Church in 1955, a church she described as She was the mentor of most of the her powerhouse. Sunday school children and the youth Peggy with Oheneba Adusei Poku, Akyempemhene of Kumasi, and Rt. Rev. N.B. Abubekr, Metropolitan Archbishop of the St Georges’ was her life and her life was of the Church. It is not surprising that Methodist Church, Kumasi, at the opening of the Children’s hall of the St. Georges Church which was named after her. the church. Due to her love for God and some members of the church named their fellow man, she earned the title “the mother daughters after her. Her home and for that spiritual and physical needs of the church picking litter around the church. Teaching of the poor, needy, orphans, destitute and matter her swimming pool side was the to make St Georges’ church a giving us that, cleanliness is next to godliness. the rejected”. She was a member of the venue of yearly funfair parties for the youth, church. She taught us that scripture says She loved children so much that every Pastoral Team (Leadership Body) of St. at which she swam and had fun with them. the best religion is the one that cares for Sunday she had in her hand packets of Georges’ Church and the Chairperson of Those who were very close to her knew her the poor, needy, orphans and widows, and toffee ready to dish out to every Sunday the Welfare Committee, as well as the as a very humble God fearing, humane, we hope to continue the legacy she left us school child who came to church on that Church Secretary from 1960-1987. As the loving person and with a great sense of for generations to come. day. Mrs. Peggy Appiah was an exceptional Church Secretary she used to liaise with humor. She will be greatly missed by all her Aunty Peggy loved nature so much that human being. She wouldn’t trade her the British High Commission in Ghana to loved ones and admirers who saw her as a she planted a lot of beautiful flowers round going to church and her communion for inform all British expatriates who wanted mother, grandmother, aunty, sister, and a the old church and beautified the interior anything. Even when she travelled abroad, an english speaking church in Kumasi, to good friend. of the church and its surroundings with she would want to return quickly in order come and worship at St Georges’ Church, As a staunch believer, she kept her flowers from her home. She was always the not to miss her communion and the Lord’s even though her beloved husband, the faith with her creator. Her punctuality first or among the first to come to church Prayer. She constantly reminded every Late Joe Appiah was a Methodist. to church service was second to none. every morning and clean the environment service leader not to forget to let the Although she was an Anglican by birth, She contributed immensely towards the

36 37 congregation say the Lord’s Prayer after service. She also loved to shout, “praise “I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though TRIBUTE BY SON-IN-LAW the Lord" and “da nyame ase!” which he were dead, yet shall he live: and means thank God. whosoever liveth and believeth in me Even in her old age she continued to shall never die.” A most remarkable woman of our times be part of the church life. The last time -- John 11: 25-26 she visited St Georges' Church was 31st December 2005 watch night service at Pilgrim's Progress which she was given a standing ovation I see myself now at the end of my by members of the church. Every body was happy to see Aunty Peggy in a wheel journey, my toilsome days are ended. I chair to seek the last blessings of the year am going now to see that head that was crowned with thorns, and that face that 2005 and that of 2006. On the last Sunday pon being introduced to my Kind, warm-hearted, generous to a fault, was spit upon for me. before she gave up her breath, she was future mother-in-law, in the loyal, bold, courageous are some of the I have formerly lived by hearsay and administered her last communion at her spring of 1979, I felt compelled to fine attributes that made her so special faith but now I go where I shall live by U residence at Nhiayeso, by Rev. Samuel immediately try and make some kind of to so many; not forgetting that she could sight, and shall be with him in whose Osam Duodu. impression to establish my credentials be painfully honest and embarrassingly company I delight myself. It was no wonder that on 30th May, as a serious “contender” to become one frank, at times. 2004, she was honored by the church she I have loved to hear my Lord spoken of her sons-in-law. So I summoned up On the door of her study in the splendid loved so much, St Georges' Church, at a of; and wherever I have seen the print courage and sought to get her attention old family house at Mbrom, was a sticker service officiated by Rt. Reverend Nuh of his shoe in the earth, there I have with a tentative and quite feeble: “Err … that read: “If life gives you lemons, make Ben Abubekr (Bishop, Methodist Church coveted to set my foot to. Mrs. Appiah …” only to be swiftly cut lemonade!” This, for me summed up and of Ghana - Kumasi diocese) and assisted His name to me has been as a civet- by Rev. Samuel Osam Duodu, (Resident off with the retort: “O do call me Aunty typified her mental strength and practical box; yea, sweeter than all perfume. His Peggy.” This response had me totally approach. I heard first hand, from Aunty Minister of St Georges' Church). voice to me has been most sweet; and confused as to whether it meant that: Peggy, of the trying and stressful times The children's hall was named after her his countenance I have more desired a) I should call her “aunty” since she she coped with during the turbulent in recognition of her exemplary devotion than they that have most desired the had already made up her mind that there politics of the 1960’s, when my father-in- to the physical and spiritual development light of the sun. His word I did use to was no chance I was going to qualify to law was in the vanguard of opposition of the church. gather for my food, and for antidotes call her “mum”; or b) somehow, word of politics. “Oh death where is your victory” Aunty against my faintings. 'He has held me, my sterling qualities had reached her in I witnessed the tough and courageous Peggy we will weep no more and cry no and hath kept me from mine iniquities; more because we know you are resting in yea, my steps hath he strengthened in advance, and I was already admitted to side of her for myself in the politically the arms of your Maker in heaven. What his way.' the inner circle that was allowed to call volatile and economically depressed early a great loss to St Georges’ Church, society her “Aunty Peggy”. The rest, as they say, 1980’s, when the general environment Glorious it was to see how the open and Ghana as a whole. May the good Lord is history, but along the way one thing I in Ghana was pervaded by scarcity and region was filled with horses and be with you till we meet again. May your did learn very quickly was that, in Ghana, considerable gloom. Through it all, she soul rest in perfect peace. chariots, with trumpeters and pipers, with singers and players on stringed everybody- from the highest to the lowest remained optimistic and good-humoured. instruments, to welcome the Pilgrims as in the society – called her “Aunty Peggy.” She felt that if the youthful new leaders Aunty Peggy, Since Saturday, February 11 the tributes of the day truly meant well for the people, Damirefa due, Due ne amanehunu! they went up, and followed one another in at the beautiful gate of the city. have flowed thick and fast – and deservedly then they should be given a chance. This Maame nante yie!! Amen so. Many and varied are the adjectives that was so, even when they had her husband -- John Bunyan (1628-88) we have all used to reminisce about her. in detention. I was always amazed at how

38 39 busy she kept herself with her writing, her charities and her church work. There Tribute To A Short Tribute To A was never any thought of her and her husband leaving Kumasi, let alone Ghana A Noble Remarkable Woman – even on holiday – during those difficult Of Whom We Were Fortunate Enough To Be times and I am sure that this endeared Mother them to so many ordinary people. Lt Col Herbert Abban Numbered Among Her Friends A very loving mother and doting grandmother, she unfailingly found the time to regularly communicate family e have a God who has infinite news to all the family, spread around the power and his perfection globe. Wcontains no impossibilities. Our I would like to end this contribution to lives on this earth are merely a symbolic the memory of Aunty Peggy by recalling a representation of our relationship with hortly after my husband Ted and quite a lot from her in discussions about piece of advice she gave me over 25 years the Almighty, for his presence does not I moved to Kumasi as a young religion. She lived her faith. Generous ago which rings as true now as it did, come upon us while we are living in Smarried couple we met Joe and to a fault, always sharing with others. then. Upon learning that with University the world; it comes only as we journey Peggy Appiah, and there began a Ted and I well remember, and so do our over, I was headed straight back home toward the Promise Land. friendship, despite the difference in our sons, an invitation to supper one Friday to Nigeria, this is what she had to say: Mrs Peggy Joe Appiah affectionately ages, which has lasted and grown. Peggy evening decades ago, and to watch a film “since half of Nigeria is Muslim, it is very called Auntie Peggy symbolizes the could be fairly described as the doyenne on a new machine sent by Anthony from important that you read the Koran so fulfilment of this arduous journey to the of Kumasi society. One of the two truly abroad. It was a brand new VHS and we Christian people I know. Never a bad or all sat enthralled watching a movie (The that you can better understand all parts land of promise; a journey of hope and unkind word about anyone, she could Yellow Convertible) on this marvellous of the society”. She was so clear-sighted eternal rest with the Lord. Our Dear and Noble Mother - Auntie always see the better side of even the new invention, lost in time until the and practical in her approach to daily worst situations. She was one of the curfew siren went. Peggy at once started life, much preferring to take action on a Peggy can be aptly described in truth and indeed as a mother of immense few people I knew who lived through to organize sleeping arrangements for all matter rather than merely talking about love, affection, resilience and above all of all the upheavals of life in Ghana with six of us. We decided to make a try for it, it. She was also one for results, always generosity and submissiveness. Knowing equanimity. Although she could have feeling pretty confident that although it with the caveat of another favourite her has not only been a privilege, but an escaped to a more tranquil existence was past the curfew hour we would get saying: “the road to hell is paved with experience with a true living Saint. she chose to stay in Ghana. She truly home safely. And so we did. good intentions.” loved her adopted country and was an The love which Peggy exuded around Auntie Peggy is in the Promised Land, inspiration and an example to those of her will forever be remembered by those Please spare your tears as she rests in the Adieu, ‘Aunty Peggy’ E sun re O! us who knew her closely, especially in of us fortunate enough to be recipients. graceful arms of the Living God. this regard. We extend our deepest sympathy to Auntie Peggy you have fought a good ’Lawale Peggy had the supreme self confidence her children Ama, Kwame, Adwoa and fight and the battle has been won. which comes naturally to people of good Abena, as well as her very many adopted Auntie Peggy, Our Mum, rest in breeding, but she was a humble and children and her large extended family. perfect eternal peace. Auntie Peggy may unpretentious person, accessible to all the Good Lord keep you in his bosom. around her. I could say quite truthfully May her soul rest in perfect peace. Da yie. that I have never heard her raise her Yolande Agble (for the Agble Family, voice in anger. She was deeply Christian, Ted and Yolande Agble and sons) “Major” yet respected other faiths and I learnt

40 41 e will always remember the love you shared with me. I always TRIBUTES FROM Wremember when you would shout and call us when we were out of the sitting room. GRANDCHILDREN You always made us feel good and better when we were sad and unhappy. You showed us how to love the poor and rich and how to be loved. will always miss my dear old gran, You always made us laugh. I remember when you used to say “Maame Yaa Iof whom I have happy memories since my life began, and Mimi would you like a sweet or a biscuit?” however, one reason not to be sad, I will always love and cherish the good times you shared with us. You will always be is that she will be happy again, beside my grandad, remembered ... and of them both I will always remain the biggest fan. Maame Yaa Kojo ear Granny, its your birthday. I hope you enjoy it where you are Dbecause every one you know is coming. We are going to miss as you y earliest memories are fond ones of playing in the garden in Mbrom. leave us. MIt is only really in hindsight that I became aware not only of its beauty Love Martin but also the great care taken over it. I remember too the regular sound of her voice crying “Aaah! Aden na wo ye saa?” A sure sign that someone had pulled the nose out of one of her precious anthuriums. As children we ce-cream? I scream, you scream, we all scream! A storyteller, granny were seduced most by the garden's size and the wonderful opportunities it Iwas always full of pithy phrases, wordplays, funny sayings and proverbs. offered for games like hide and seek and cowboys and indians. It was a sign of the care And mealtime graces said in more languages than the rest of the family she had for most things. I remember us finding a bird with a broken wing and having no could muster between us! “What’s the time?” you would ask and invariably idea what to do. We were comforted by the sure and reassuring knowledge that Granny she answered “Half past kissing time, time to kiss again!” Then squeals would know. Give her a practical problem, and she always had a kind solution. She as the chase ensued, a big juicy kiss on each cheek the inevitable outcome. will be sorely missed. In her later years, one Ashanti morality tale persistently resurfaced. When one hears Olamide the solitary croak of a frog in the dusk, followed by silence, he is asking “Who will bury me?” When his croak is answered by a chorus of replies, he is asking “Who will inherit ranny was a very special person to me. She was my closest granny me?” Well, when granny passed on and we started arranging to bury her, the frogs in Gand I loved her so much. Just knowing that she was always there for me, her garden chorused nightly their willingness to do so; I think she’d be smugly satisfied made me feel special. She was a wonderful granny, very helpful when I needed with their refrain. And she would have been so touched by the love and support from anything. I always looked forward to seeing her, because she made me happy the highest to the lowest in the land, and from around the world, that has surrounded whenever I saw her. our family ever since she passed on. So don’t worry, granny, there is a multitude to bury Granny was completely selfless, always wanting to put other people you! E sun re! first. Whatever her own problems were, she always remained cheerful, never wanting Adetomiwa to burden me with her own situation or sorrow. I will always miss you granny. I love you very much!! Rest in perfect peace till we meet in heaven again. ranny. She always made sure I had seconds of lunch. She always made Achiaa Gsure I had enough books. She always accompanied me when I was swimming. She always sent me letters at school. Wherever I was, Granny rannie, Grannie, Grannie! Why is there no answer? I know it is because was always with me. Now she shall always remain in my heart. Gyou are in heaven smiling and thinking about us. We remember how Oluwatobi you used to love everybody whether poor, rich or deformed. We remember the stories you wrote that educated a lot of Ghanaian Granny is in heaven. children. We know you don’t have any pain and we know you are happy. If God drops her, Thank you for making our lives brighter. We love you very much. I will catch her! Abdul MiMi 42 43 always think of fruit Smile to myself, and think of all you knew, Iwhen I think about Now you’re up in heaven, Tribute In Memory of Granny. Granny always ate I know you’re looking over us, fruit between meals, and Looking over everyone, making sure every DR. Mrs. Peggy E. Appiah, MBE it was usually her desert. day is a blessing and a plus. I’m glad you’re happy where you are, BY Joe Appiah-Kusi, M.D. I’ll always remember how When I think of fruit, amazed I was as a child it’s really not that far. to see her choose her fruits so very Weep then, O daughters, sons, friends and For surely her memory shall live after her. Yaw Anthony carefully, giving them a gentle squeeze global family So does a star in the wide sky shining to judge if they were ripe or not, always A distinguished and extraordinary lady knowing what was a good fruit. My Reflect in the waters, has gone to eternity earliest memory of Granny is a fond For my beloved, and sadly, In still pool, snowy mountains and one, of going to the market, where departed Gran, A main branch of a tree has fallen. stream; she would perform her fruit selection From your eldest grandson and Mighty the branch and fruitful, Spreading its light to far horizons, process with remarkable care. She could admiring fan Yet it has fallen. Myriad sparklets gleaming. do it quickly, but it was never any more Mother is like a tree that bear fruits So does the worth of one lady careless or less gentle than if she had I fondly remember you She feeds her children and those of others. And her devotion, love and kindness had all the time in the world. I think telling story after story, Of beasts and Weep then, but listen. Guide as a light, this is the way she did all things, gently men, good and evil, disgrace and glory. Hear the wind whispering and carefully, taking care in everything. Lead to further glory, It may seem weird to remember this To grandsons sitting listening patiently, In young trees springing One lady her God serving through fruit, but Granny’s considerate enthralled. While writing these words, From seed she has sown. Stand for us all. nature came out in everything she did. I got stuck and stalled - Then, recalling Their roots grown deep, Everyone will remember Granny for another wondrous story time Deep in the land of the ancestors, Rejoice then, and weep not, being kind and gentle, generosity being Came flowing memories and these words Windy voices of Gloucestershire and Still her light following; her trait that never failed to show itself. of mine. Oxfordshire, She who gives all, loses not. I know that where Granny is now, she Plains of Namibia, Botswana and the Gold will be rewarded for all she has done. You always had the greatest smile, Coast The place Granny is has all the fruit in Laughing loudly with aplomb and style At Rest in Peace Auntie and flights of angels the world, and I picture her there, being every happy moment - and there were many. Fjorded coasts and mountainous Norway, sing thee to thy rest as gentle and careful as ever, selecting (I wish I had for each a penny) Listen and hear. fruit with the utmost care. As I associate You were so brave and fearless, We love you and will miss you Granny with fruit as well as literature, I benevolent and kind, Surely the bells are ringing thought she would like it if I wrote her a So generous that many questioned The beat of feet dancing; poem. your state of mind One woman in death uniting Joe Granny, I will always think of fruit A saint amongst sinners, Ancestral spirits in the other world, when I think of you, a candle in the night, And the young chanting and anguishing The care with which you treated them, as That warmed us all and gave us guiding light. on earth. with humans too. Since death's cruel lips you kissed, You were always so gentle and kind, Never will the days of buying fruit, leave Know this - you are sorely missed. my mind Every time I buy fruit I’ll think of you, Kwesi Gyamfi

44 45 the same rebellious cloth as her valiant tutor us the needy political orphans was A Tribute to a loving Aunt husband, she settled comfortably in our unceasing and selfless. What a fetching Kojo Owusu-Nyantekyi cradle of Ashanti civilisation – where by safe pair of hands we observed; with a all accounts she enjoyed unquestioned self-assurance that was her hallmark, she marital bliss - winning love esteem and poignantly brought succour to the grass acclaim. We loved her easy manner and widows and empathised in their hour of out-going charm that allowed us to claim need. She was a picture of emollition. her home as our own where as children During the festive seasons our sagged we frolicked blithely. Stern she could be hopes were instantaneously enhanced if some were beyond the pale - but never when Auntie Peggy and her brood he truly wonderful personality she oratorical fame, was an erstwhile political as I recall fervidly, did she ever exude a came bearing troves of presents, each was, Aunty Peggy unmistakably ally of Nkrumah and later of my father in fearsome aura. meticulously gift-wrapped and tastefully Trepresented the spirit and appeal opposition to him. By the late-fifties, he Her over-powering presence was made inscribed – what anticipated joy it always of Africa Bungalows of the fifties and had become the deputy leader of the possible by a towering height where she was to be in hoc to this animating sixties. An oasis amidst the undying NLM-UP axis; from that pinnacle, with vaulted inches over a diminutive Papa and illuminating white lady. She was bustle and toil of Kumasi; imbued with a resourcefully talented Auntie Peggy by Joe, a man loquacious of speech, enticing dependably kind, irreproachable and an impressive air and contemporary his side, he thus fought an epic battle of anecdotes and barbed of wit- many an thought-provoking in her inimitable style, both of its residents and design. of wits with the increasingly repressive occasion, she tickled us tremendously repartee. She reigned over a happy home It was a hallowed place then – leafy and CPP regime and would have no truck in much infantile fascination. In an old which was at the epicentre of the social tranquil reflecting prosperity and new- with Nkrumah. As children we revelled worldly way they seemed the perfect and political whirl – despite the eclectic found confidence in the political and in his fame by association too, watching odd couple in the light of contrasting rabble that endlessly trooped into her business elite as well as the professional his every political move or utterance in physical attributes and mere colour. I home she was genuine, effervescent and aristocracy of the day. It held pride of giddy anticipation. There was always fondly recollect some of her enduring welcoming. place as a bastion of opposition to Kwame invigoration and ebullience around the allure as she thundered in and out of In the political mayhem of the sixties Nkrumah’s despotic proclivities - not dynamic duo. our home – ever darting smiles, in a she was unswerving and restless - the far within its hugging distance nestled Living in Kumasi in those vibrant solicitous mode as she lustily bounded meteor of a campaigner of justice and Ashanti New Town. The spawning pool days with its rich seam of timeless from house to house offering solace to a human rights that she was – she argued of agitation and insurgency - a gateway traditions, implacable customs and welter of households. She was pleasing her brief with appreciable competence, without parallel in the history of political unique splendour was edifying, and –when she mollified many the afflicted, profound acuity and strong convictions. conflicts and as folklore would have, unbridled fun. Amid the heady politics and endlessly used her ineluctable gift of Having lived and tasted communism that was where most Ashanti politicians of the time rose the upwardly enigmatic energy to their benefits. When Nkrumah’s at first light in Moscow she watched in cut their wisdom teeth amid feudal figure of Auntie Peggy whose sad demise hard-line diktats and markedly repellent disdain and bewilderment as Nkrumah authority. we lament now. In this renowned haven Preventive Act wrought pervasive havoc conceived of intrigues and dramas Languishing in the enclaves were she lived directly opposite our elegant – with the Patriarchs of Africa Bungalow commensurate with a self-agglomerated sumptuous homes with generous pioneering home, with her litter of including our own father Odomse, Papa power – whittling down the potency of accommodation – a precious few like the fair-skinned bumptious children. Not Joe and Victor Owusu and Baafour Akoto all opposition but led Ghana fecklessly Appiahs had freshly manicured gardens surprisingly, their paths and ours have ferreted off to be incarcerated in the spiralling down the Communist path. all year round. Anecdotal evidence made interminably crossed down the ages in sweltering sulkiness of infamous Nsawam An act that she thought amounted to us believe Auntie Peggy the hearty white some of the more exotic and troubled – our neighbourhood cut a forlorn sight. an outrageous lack of moral rectitude matriarch on our street had reputed parts of the world. Suitably besotted But under this pall of despair and justifying her husband’s prescience mythical green fingers and took great joy with Africa she sneered at privilege her emasculation, Auntie Peggy was one rock and disgruntlement. With a startling nourishing plants as much as talents. birth had endowed and flew the nest - bringing a ray of light, lifting the gloom constitution she soundly railed against a Uncle Joe her husband of enormous of the English Establishment. Cut from effortlessly. Her resolve to mentor and prepotent but wanton Leader, Osagyefo

46 47 – that alone was a heresy then; but refreshing when we also had the regal her formidable forthrightness, political presence of my ever lovingly-mourned TRIBUTE FROM ATTA KWAMI astuteness and enthralling self-belief mother-in-law Lady Victoria. The dutiful SENIOR LECTURER, COLLEGE OF ART AND SOCIAL SCIENCES, defied the odds. She was defiant and wife Aunty Peggy was, she would sit in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science Technology, Kumasi typified courage and composure in the rapt attention whenever her piercing teeth of opposition when agitating for eyes set on Papa Joe, a fabled raconteur the immediate release of the Opposition as he regaled us time and time again on Leaders. Unbowed, shrugging off threats a diet of political dramas and mischief his poem was sent to me on the of deportation following the launch – he was as often the gaze and show, but occasion of my brother’s death, two of a supposed tirade against the CPP Aunty was correspondingly feisty. Tyears ago by a dear friend. It gave regime; the doughty woman in her Even in dotage over the Christmas me great solace and now re-reading it today sedulously fired off petition after petition season when last I saw her, she was makes me think of Peggy, as it captures in her praiseworthy struggles against high-spirited, inquisitive and solicitous something of her purpose and her soul. repression that Nkrumah represented. to the end – I continued to admire and At the inauguration of the KNUST With extraordinary show of discipline, simultaneously marvelled at her alertness Museum on January 7, 2005 when Peggy she bombarded the Flagstaff House and profound memory as she battled was invited to introduce her collection and her familiar domain; the Palace of vehemently with her debility and spectre of goldweights, which she magnanimously Westminster – aided by a web of family of senility. She fondly remembered all loaned, she spoke with eloquence and connections and keen sympathizers - she our children. As a coda we shall never integrity about their beautiful work and S. Edward Ayensu). (Photograph by Prof. design, all the while apologising for her old Peggy with part of her huge collection of gold-weights, brought and elicited greater awareness see her bouncy kind again – while with gold-dust boxes and kuduo. She is the custodian of one of to the plight of the UP and other vast grief; we bid her farewell, we also age and lack of mobility. She also introduced the largest collection of Ashanti gold-weights in the world. opposition parties scalding under a remember the love she shone our way. her book of several thousand Akan proverbs choleric government.. Forever we remain in her debt of gratitude (over seven thousand appear in ‘BU ME Provosts, and Koo Nimo, another illustrious When the bell tolled many years later; for the myriads of affectionate deeds. BE’) co-authored with her son, Professor folklorist. The opening ceremony was well I also found my fragrant spouse, a niece Kwame Anthony Appiah. The gathering attended because of Peggy’s presence. of Papa Joe’s in the same household May eternal peace and rest be well included dignitaries of the University: Vice- as she had decades earlier. So another earned in the embrace of the Almighty! Chancellor Professor Kwesi Andam and firm lock was inextricably established. Whenever she visited London with KUMASI, MARCH 2006. Praise the World to the angel, not what can’t be talked about. her charming husband her unstinting You can’t impress him with your grand emotions. In the cosmos generosity never ceased to thrill as she where he so intensely feels, you’re just a novice. So show always thoughtfully indulged us with him some simple thing shaped for generation after generation bounteous gifts, especially treasureable until it lives in our hands and in our eyes, and it’s ours. Tell him about things. He’ll stand amazed, just as you did books which were quite dear to her large beside the ropemaker in Rome or potter on the Nile. heart. My wife and I always deemed it Show him how happy a thing can be, how innocent and ours; immense pleasure to be able to host their how even grief’s lament purely determines its own shape, stopovers no matter how short or long serves as a thing, or dies in a thing - and escapes their holidays were. Tellingly they brought in ecstasy beyond the violin. And these things, whose lives a sense of conviviality and inestimable are lived in leaving - they understand when you praise them. wisdom to our home - against a backdrop Perishing, they turn to us, the most perishable, for help. of rich colonial history and reflections They want us to change them completely in our invisible hearts, on contemporary issues. We were far oh - forever - into us! Whoever we finally may be. richer by those visits – made even more Excerpt from R.M. Rilke’s 9th Duino Elegy.

48 49 TRIBUTE BY To my dearest Pied Beauty MRS. CECILIA KUSI OBODUM Aunt PeggY Mum’s favourite poem ou fought a good fight. For the years you have been by my side. Enriching Ymy life with your presence. You Glory be to God for dappled followed my every move with concern. things – Auntie, This is Cecilia from far away Chicago in the U.S. crying my heart out Listening to my conversation with intense For skies as couple-coloured as a with most bitter tears! What a loss! interest and often you had your words to brindled cow; Kwame, Ama, Adwoa, Abena, Damirifa Due! add. You were with me through some of For rose-moles all in stipple upon the tough times in life but always made trout that swim; Psalm 68:5 – A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows is God in me smile. his holy dwelling. Fresh firecoal chestnut falls; Thank you for the years filled with finches’ wings; love and affection. You will always live in Landscapes plotted and pieced my heart. When I cross to the other world – fold, fallow and plow; I will look for you amongst the angels; And all trades, their gear and because heaven would never be complete untie Peggy, my sister, my best School and Legon. She knew you first as tackle and trim; friend, I’m going to miss you so her mother because you never treated without you. All things counter, original, spare, Amuch. Being away, I couldn’t wait her differently from Abena Adoma. As May the angels carry you over the strange; to get back to Ghana so that I could come a little child she loved you so much, she rainbow Bridge, walk on the fields of Whatever is fickle, freckled (who and spend some weekends with you, would proudly tell everyone that she had green grass for you are no longer in pain. knows how?) keeping each other company. Little did I 2 mums – one white and one black and I love you Aunt Peggy. With swift, slow; sweet, sour; know that I would not have the privilege ask how come they only had one. Malakeh Isbir (Mimi) adazzle, dim; and that you would be gone! Ah, Auntie Peggy, I have so much to He fathers-forth whose beauty is When my husband, Kweku Kusi say about your love and kindness to me, past change; Obodum was alive, you and Joe were your God daughter, Isobel and the rest of have lost a great Praise Him. there for me, when I became widowed my family but there is one thing that I mother. Mum was a and broken, you were there for me, and want you to know. Had you not done all I mother to me . Gerald Manley Hopkins you remained loyal to the very end! that you did for us, I would still have To her there was no THANK YOU for the wonderful role loved you with all my heart, because you difference between you played in my life and in the life of are one of the most genuine, unselfish, her natural children my baby girl, Isobel, named after your kind, caring and loving people I ever met and her adopted dear mother, Lady Isobel Cripps. Thank – what a blessing for me to have known children. She also you for being such a sweet and wonderful you! made any family member who visited Godmother to this child. When Kusi died I will miss you dearly, even though I me become her family. When ever I was she was only seven weeks old and you know that you are in a much better place sitting quietly she would say “A penny completely took her over. You had her – safe in the arms of Jesus. May the Lord for your thoughts! Give me a hug and a christened in your family christening continue to richly bless you and keep kiss” gown, saw her through UST Nursery you in his bosom until we meet again! Our home was filled with love. Mummy and Primary schools, St. Louis Secondary Demirefa Due. May your soul rest in Peace.

50 51 TRIBUTE FROM ISAG TRIBUTE FROM NOCTURNAL FRATERNITY, LUV 99.5FM KUMASI, GHANA. he International Spouses Association marriages in Kumasi, Peggy answered; “Yes, of Ghana, (ISAG) is made up of women white people generally seem more at ease Tand men from other countries, married than they used to be with black people in to Ghanaians, who have made Ghana their Kumasi and I think that is an improvement home. Peggy was a loyal member. Many for everybody.” ''Cowards die many times before their death, present, older members have known Peggy When Peggy first came to Kumasi in the since their arrival in Kumasi in the 60s and early 50s she was, I am told, largely shunned by The villain never tastes of death but once 70s and share fond memories of her kind white expatriate society. At an ISAG meeting Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, support. For more recent arrivals who came she was asked how her family in England It seems to me so strange that men should fear to know Peggy in her later years, we found had reacted to her marriage. Peggy said that Knowing that death is a necessary end in her a charming and courageous elderly some of them had refused to have any more and it will come when it may come, ...” lady who had retained the inward discipline to do with her and laughingly added: Fewer of originality through her receptivity and Christmas cards to send.' Peggy's attitude continued learning. was that she was thankful to Ghanaians for n the 19th of September 2005, we received a call from Noct Abena Appiah during Peggy remained an active writer and allowing her to live in Ghana. She made living one of our 'Nocturnal meetings' on the instructions of Dr. Mrs. Peggy Appiah to philanthropist publishing a book of her in Ghana a privilege and a success. Ocontribute to a socio-political talk that was going air. That marked the beginning poems Thought Birds (2001),through ISAG, One cherished memory of Peggy is when of a motherly relationship which gradually turned 'Granny' as we affectionately called to celebrate her 80th birthday. Though her ISAG visited the School for Children with her into our Patron. mobility became restricted, she continued Special Needs who put on a musical concert Granny even in her old age and her state, found time to listen and contribute to to tend her beautiful garden and to delight to welcome Auntie Peggy, their benefactor, and our numerous projects we discussed at dawn on the Nocturnal platform. She always in reading. Towards the end of her life, her her friends. After an excellent performance by encouraged us to develop ourselves and aim at being great intellectuals with positive memory began to fail her and in this, as in the children Peggy took the stage; we expected effects. many things, she saw the positive side: I can a long speech, instead Peggy, wearing a read books I must have read before, even my voluminous pale blue kaftan, bent at the knee “Nana, your critique and outspokenness always reminds me of Joe. “Keep it up! own, and they are quite new to me. Even if and gave the children the thumbs-up. They and somebody will hear you someday.” were her parting words she always gave to us. Peggy could not remember names exactly, all responded, with great merriment, in kind. Granny unfortunately did not live to see us rehabilitate the only Children's Library in she remembered faces and never failed to One of Peggy's greatest gifts was to children Kumasi we had discussed with her to undertake. welcome visitors with affection, and a cup of for whom she wrote and in whom she saw Granny, thanks for fighting a good fight and leaving behind such solid footprints in tea. Lipton’s teabags and a flask of hot water clearly our universal needs and natures. As the sand. To us as Nocturnals, your loyalty, commitment, assiduity and respect for all lay beside her armchair on a small table she once wrote: “The wind in the willows shades of social classes, with your arms opened at all times, will spur us on. We are beneath portrait photographs of her parents. is the same one that breathes through the firmly convinced that even though you are no more, our hearts will go on loving you and A thoughtful communicator, Peggy’s palm fronds” And she was kind, always. revering your remarkable achievements. conversation was ever fresh and free from platitudes. She didn't gossip, she didn’t advise Pamela Clarkson Kwami on behalf of Eno, Damirifa Due! and she didn't impose her beliefs. When asked my friends in ISAG for her opinion she gave it, and it often surprised. I once asked her if she felt things had improved for white people in mixed

52 53 TRIBUTE TRIBUTE FROM THE YOUTH AND STUDENTS WING OF GHANA By Alizon Cleal courtesy of Rev. Dr. Frank ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND ON THE OCCASION OF Adams of the All Baptist AFRICAN Conference THE DEATH OF MRS. PEGGY APPIAH and Bethel Baptist Church, Kumasi

he entire membership of the youth continuously support the wing financially have been very much saddened by swim and chat with her after classes at and students wing of GAB learn and morally. the death of Mrs. Margaret Appiah the former Christian Service College. Twith deep sorrow the demise of The above support that Mrs. Appiah IMBE, whom I called, with everyone From her last point publication, I Mrs. Peggy Appiah a patroness of the offered us, we the members of the wing else who knew her personally at her shared a liking for this proverb with my wing. strongly know that her replacement will home in Kumasi, 'Aunty Peggy'. Professor at the Akrofi Christaller Centre Mrs. Appiah in her personal be a very difficult one for us and her I extend my sympathy to yourself in Akropong: contributions and guidance helped the departure will be greatly missed. and all other members of her bereaved Abusua te se kwaee; wowo akyiri a, wing, she had our interest at heart. "Mama you have left us at the cross families and friends. eye kusuu; wo pini ho a wo hu se dua When the wing was formed in 1993, she roads when you are to live to see how the I made myself known to her on my koro biara wo ne sibere. was the first woman patron who together wing has developed and is still developing arrival in Kumasi in 1999, because her Even though as woman and mother with her family contributed both cash in something you nurtured in 1993." father, Sir Stafford Cripps the Chancellor Aunty Peggy and her children could kind to the running of the wing during its However, as the saying goes; "there is of the Exchequer in the first Labour never be members of their father's turbulent days. Sometimes she offered more blessing in giving than receiving", Government in Britain, was greatly abusua, the unity and diversity within her house to us for our meetings. we the blind and partially sighted youth respected by my father, Rev. Clifford it that the proverb speaks of was her She was open, accommodating and of the above wing of GAB wish to solemnly Cleal and they had much in common: daily experience, and the unconditional caring to people especially those with say that may your soul Rest in Perfect among other things a liking for Studdart devotion she gave her husband and his visual impairment, to the extent that we Peace and may you be accepted into the Kennedy/Woodbine Willie's religious people from her heart will unite us all in were allowed twenty-four hours visit to bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ. poems. They were both in the Labour saying Ayekoo. More important we pray her house a development, which most Mrs. Peggy Appiah, Damirifa due, Party elected to power in England for the Lord will say to her as she comes into well endowed entities will not do. As if due, due ne amanehunu. Odofo pa nea the first time in 1945, after the Second his presence: that was not enough during her lifetime. otia bia a nemfefuo entumi entia. World War and united in the common She was able to prevail on her children to goal of bringing about social, political ‘Well done good and faithful servant ...’ and economic change in Britain. After Okokodurofou a ne do, ne nyansa ne n'ahunumobro kyere n'akwan. this first approach we became friends; I With deepest sympathy Nea ode ne ho a osane n'akondwa so nya ahumobro ma won a wonni bi. always felt welcome to have an afternoon Okokoduro fuo da yie Nyame ati wo anim ama yen anifrafuo ahunu wo. Nyame tumfuo mfa wo nsie

54 55 Weep not my children So does the worth of one woman TRIBUTE Weep not my children And her devotion GHANA SOCIETY OF THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED The death of your mothers Guide as a light, For the grass is growing Lead to future glory, Where their bones lie deep. One woman her God serving Sure, the sun will chase the night away And dawn will herald the new bright day. When the Stand for us all. Good Lord asks, “Death where’s thy sting?” Our hearts will spill with the Joy He brings. Their spirits are living, Free like the wind that passes Rejoice then, and weep not, WEEP NO MORE: A. A. Y. Poku, Jnr Lexington, Kentucky, USA. November 10,1995 And bends the grasses Still her light following; Gently in passing. She who gives all, loses not, Weep rather for the living, Is at one with her Master. n behalf of the National Executive the idea of establishment of a sheltered workshop For their sighs and sorrowing; (Peggy Appiah) Committee and the entire membership to employ skilled persons with disability, she Their bones and hands outstretching, Oof the Ghana Society of the Physically provided the essential life line. Preliminary Bodies wearied by suffering, Since I had a mother Disabled and the Management, Staff and contacts with her daughter, Ama nee Mrs. Isobel Minds blunted, bodies starving, Whose many interests Students of the Jachie Training Centre for the Appiah Endresen, who was then sojourning All the world offering Kept her excited and occupied Disabled and on my own behalf, we are humbled in Oslo, Norway with her husband. Ama took Stones for bread. Since I had a mother and highly honoured to have had the privilege our project to the Norges Handicap Forbund (Peggy Appiah) Who interacted with so many people of being brushed by the exemplary life of our (Norwegian Association of the Disabled-NAD). That she had a real feeling for the world mentor, benefactor and mother, Auntie Peggy. That started our collaboration with NAD which When 26 years ago 2 disabled gentlemen gave birth to the Jachie Training Centre. Since In Memoriam Since I had a mother and myself decided to found the Ghana Society its inception in 1985, over 300 disabled young Weep then, O people of Ghana, Who always was strong of the Physically Disabled, Auntie Peggy was men and women had passed through vocational A branch from the tree has fallen, Through any period of suffering Mighty the branch and fruitful, there to “strengthen the weak hands ... and skills training and are making a living. Since I had a mother Yet it has fallen. knees that are wobbling firm.” She was never There are many disabled persons who had Who was a complete person Weep then, but listen! I always had a model tired of us. enjoyed scholarships and sponsorships from Hear the wind whispering To look up to We remember with pride how she led the Auntie Peggy. Messrs Leo Amoaning of Customs, In young trees springing Brownies (Girl Scouts) of the Ridge Church, Excise and Preventive Services and Elvis Adusei, From seed he has sown. And that made it easier Kumasi to present the Society’s first donation an Asokore-Mampong shoe maker who was Their roots grown deep, For me to develop into of office furniture. Time and space would not transformed from a crawler to a crutches and Deep in the land of their fathers. An independent woman. allow us to enumerate the numerous acts, calliper user had his orthopaedic surgery and Listen and hear. (Author unknown) donations, support and services Auntie Peggy training paid for by Auntie Peggy. Surely the drums are playing, made available to the Society. An analogy is The Ashanti Regional Branch of the Society The long horn and the short, akin to what the apostle John said about Jesus. is now undergoing revamping and this is the The flute her praises telling, If I should die “There are...many other things also which Jesus appropriate period we need you most. Death The gong-gong, If I should die and leave you The beat of feet dancing; did, which if ever they were written in detail,... strikes without consultation. It robs us of reliable Be not like others, quick undone One woman in death uniting the-world itself could not contain the books help when we need it most. At this juncture, we Who keep long vigil by the silent Ancestral spirits dust and weep. written” (John 21-25) epitomises her life. would adapt and use your poem, “Dr. Alex And the young, chanting For my sake turn to life and smile This notwithstanding, we shall be ingrates Kyerematen. In Memoriam’,” for surely your Praise to this daughter of Ghana, should we fail to mention some notable events work shall live after you: Weep then, O people of For surely her works shall live after her. Nerving thy heart and trembling which would not have happened but for the Asanteman and Ghana So does a star in the wide sky shining, hand to comfort weaker souls than thee. involvement of our beloved mother. Reflect in the waters, Complete these unfinished tasks of mine Paramount among these is the role she ATTAKORA-ASAMOA YAW POKU, JNR In still pool and stream; And I perchance may therein comfort thee. played in the establishment of the Jachie Training Spreading its light to far horizons, Thomas Gray Centre for the Disabled. In 1980 when we mooted Myriad sparklets gleaming.

56 57 Her LIterary works

Mum hugging some of her published books.

Autographing a copy of Dad’s Autobiography after it was launched SOME OF PEGGY APPIAH’S published BOOks

• Ananse the spider: Tales from • Gift of the Mmoatia: Accra: Ghana • Thought Birds: Accra, ISAG 2001 an Ashanti village. New York: Publishing, 1972 Pantheon, 1966. • The Rubbish heap: Accra: Asempa, • Ring and Gold. London: Deutsch, 1995. • Kyekyekulee, Grandmother’s tales: 1976. Receiving a Doctorate Award in Literature by the Kwame Accra: Quick Service Books, 1993. • Bu Me Be, Accra, Centre for Nkrumah University of Science and Technology • Kofi and the crow. Accra: Quick Intellectual Renewal, 2000 • Yao and the python: London: Service Books, 1991. Evans, 1971. • The Smell of Onions, Longmans • Afua and the mouse. Accra: Quick Drumbeat, 1971 • The children of Ananse: London: Service Books, 1991. Evans, 1968. • Rattletat, New Namibia Books, • Why the Hyena does not care 1995 • Why there are so many roads: for Fish and other tales from the Lagos: African University Press, Ashanti gold weights: London, • A Dirge Too Soon, Ghana 1972. Deutsch, 1971. Publishing Corporation, 1976 • The Lost Earring: London, Evans, • Abena and the python. Accra: • A Dreadful Mistake, Unimax 1971. Quick Service Books, 1991. Publishers, 1999 • The pineapple child and other • The twins. Accra: Quick Service • Kofi and the crow, Quickservice tales from Ashanti: London, Books, 1991. Books Limited, 191 Chief Launcher Prof. Atokwei Okine, hands over the Evans, 1969. first copy of “Bu Me Be” to the first bidder and winner • Busy body: Accra, Asempa, 1995. Launching her book of Poems organised by the Nana Bonsu son of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. • Tales of an Ashanti father: Boston, International Spouses Association of Ghana. Beacon Press, 1989.

58 59 Peggy Appiah, 84, Author Who bridged two cultures

By NADINE BROZAN Published: February 16, 2006, THE NEW YORK TIMES

eggy Appiah, who as a daughter African-British couple, Seretse Khama of a British chancellor of the and Ruth Williams, for the 1967 film Pexchequer defied the conventions "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," which of her time by marrying an Ashanti dealt with a California couple's reaction political leader and who went on to to their daughter's engagement to a become an author and a revered figure black doctor. in her adopted homeland, Ghana, died That view was lent support by Saturday in Kumasi, Ghana. She was Henry Louis Gates Jr., chairman of 84. the department of African and African- The cause was a heart attack at American studies at Harvard, and a Akomfo Anokye Hospital, according friend of Mr. Appiah's since their student to her son, the philosopher Kwame days, who noted that it was a marriage Anthony Appiah. of equals at the highest levels of their Reared in upper-crust Britain, societies. the youngest of four children of Sir "She was to the manner born and he Stafford Cripps, a Labor party leader was an aristocrat related to the king of the and cabinet officer in the Clement Attlee Ashanti," Mr. Gates said in a telephone government (1945-51), Peggy Cripps interview on Tuesday. "He was the John caused an international sensation when Adams of his country; its founding father she announced plans to marry in July with Kwame Nkrumah." 1953. Her fiancé was Joseph Emmanuel The couple met at a gathering of the Appiah, who was in London as a law West African Students Union, of which student and representative of Kwame Mr. Appiah was president. From the start, Nkrumah, prime minister of the Gold Miss Cripps made it clear that she would Coast, the British colony that became not be intimidated by the firestorm of Ghana in 1957. criticism the couple endured. Nkrumah was Ghana's first president, "If we experience any difficulties in and Mr. Appiah was a close associate mixing with Europeans, I shall throw in and his choice for vice president, until my lot with the colored people," she told political differences led Nkrumah to The Sunday Express of London. imprison him several times. The marriage came to symbolize far The Appiahs are said to have been more than the union of two individuals. the inspiration, along with another Richard Weight, a British historian

60 61 who is making a documentary about director of The New Yorker, who is interracial marriage, said: "For a lot of Professor Appiah's companion. "She said From the book of condolence people, it drew the line between those the airport was a long way away and she who thought Britain had an integrated would kick and scream every inch of the postcolonial future and those who didn't. way. Fearful of the publicity that would And it became an international story with engender, they backed down." particular resonance because it involved Known to many in Ghana as Auntie the daughter of a former chancellor." Peggy, Mrs. Appiah was a prolific writer Born in 1921, Enid Margaret Cripps, of children's books, many of them based who used the name Peggy, was the on the Ghanaian folk tales her husband youngest of four children of Sir Stafford told their children, as well as of novels, and Lady Isobel Swithenbank Cripps. poetry and most recently a collection of On her father's side she could trace her 7,000 Ashanti proverbs, on which she lineage back to William the Conqueror. collaborated with her son. She was reared at a rambling country The book, published in English and house, Goodfellows, and spent much Ashanti, had its origins in her collection of World War II in Moscow, where her of gold weights. father served as ambassador. After the "She collected weights used for war, she went to Iran, where she worked weighing gold but made of brass," for the British Army, which ran the Professor Appiah said. "Many of them had railways. figurative art that came from proverbs. She is survived by her son, the When a dealer came to the house, she Laurance Rockefeller professor of would ask, ‘What is the proverb?’ and philosophy at Princeton, who lives in if he didn’t know, she would eventually Manhattan and Princeton, N.J., and travel to the village to find out.” three daughters, Isobel Endresen, an Though she had a house in Brighton, economist, of Windhoek, Namibia, England, Mrs. Appiah considered Ghana Adwoa Edun, a landscape designer, her home. of Lagos, Nigeria, and Abena Appiah, “When my father died 15 years ago, businessperson in Kumasi; and nine people asked her, ‘When are you going grandchildren. Settling in Kumasi, the home?’” her son said. “She kept saying, capital of the Ashanti people, shortly ‘I am home.’ Finally she bought herself a after her wedding, she shunned the plot of ground to be buried in, so when traditional British — and Ghanaian— people said, ‘When are you going home?,’ role of homemaker, even as she reared she could answer: ‘I am not going home. her children, served as helpmate to her I have my burial plot here.” husband, kept the family going when he was in prison and established several philanthropies. "At one time there was an effort to deport her," said Henry Finder, editorial

62 63 2 Praise we the wise and brave and strong, 2 The powers of death have done their worst, 3 Far, far away, like bells at evening pealing, Who graced their generation; But Christ their legions hath dispersed; The voice of Jesus sounds o’er land and HYMNS Who helped the right, and fought the Lets shouts of holy joy outburst: sea, wrong, Alleluia ! And laden souls, by thousands meekly MBH 831 / CAN 267 And made our folk a nation. stealing, Give me the wings of faith to rise 3 The three sad days have quickly sped; Kind Shepherd, turn their weary steps 3 Praise we the great of heart and mind, He rises glorious from the dead; to Thee. 1 Give me the wings of faith to rise The singers sweetly gifted, All glory to our risen Head: Within the veil, and see Whose music like a mighty wind Alleluia ! 4 Rest comes at length; though life be long The saints above, how great their joys, The souls of men uplifted. and dreary, How bright their glories be. 4 Lord, by the stripes which wounded Thee, The day must dawn and darksome night 4 Praise we the peaceful men of skill From death’s dread sting Thy servants free be past; 2 Once they were mourning here below, Who builded homes of beauty, That we may live and sing to Thee: Faith’s journey ends in welcomes to the And wet their couch with tears: And, rich in art, made richer still Alleluia ! weary, They wrestled hard, as we do now, The brotherhood of duty. Anonymous, c. 12th cent. : And heaven, the heart’s true home, will With sins, and doubts, and fears. tr. from Symphonia Sirenum, Colonge, 1695, come at last. 5 Praise we the glorious names we know: by Francis Pott, 1832-1900 3 I ask them whence their victory came: And they – whose names have 5 Angels, sing on, your faithful watches They, with united breath, perished, keeping; Ascribe their conquest to the Lamb, Lost in the haze of long ago – MHB 651 Sing us sweet fragments of the songs Hark ! hark, my soul ! Angelic Their triumph to his death. In silent love be cherished. above, songs are swelling Till morning’s joy shall end the night of 4 They marked the footsteps that he trod, 6 In peace their sacred ashes rest, weeping, His zeal inspired their breast; 1 Hark ! hark, my soul ! Angelic songs Fulfilled their days endeavour; And life’s long shadows break in And following their incarnate God, are swelling They blest the earth, and they are blest cloudless love. Possess the promised rest. O’er earth’s green fields and ocean’s Of God and man, for ever. Frederick William Faber, 18-63. wave-beat shore: 5 Our glorious Leader claims our praise 7 So praise we great and famous men, How sweet the truth those blessed strains For his own pattern given; are telling While the long cloud of witnesses The fathers, named in story; And praise the Lord who now as then Of that new life when sin shall be no MHB 12 Show the same path to heaven. more ! Isaac Watts, 1674-1748 Reveals in man His glory. Praise, my soul, the King of William George Tarrant, 1853-1928. Angels of Jesus, angels of light, Heaven Singing to welcome the pilgrims of the MBH 896 night! 1 Praise, my soul, the King of heaven, Now praise we great and famous MBH 215 / CAN 67 To his feet thy tribute bring; 2 Onward we go: for still we hear them men The strife is o’er, the battle done Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, singing: Who like thee His praises sing ? Come, weary souls, for Jesus bids you 1 Now praise we great and famous men, 1 The strife is o’er, the battle done; Praise him ! Praise him ! come; The fathers, named in story; Now is the Victor’s triumph won; Praise the everlasting King. And through the dark, its echoes sweetly And praise the Lord who now as then Now be the song of praise begun : ringing, Reveals in man His glory. Alleluia ! 2 Praise Him for His grace and favour The music of the gospel leads us home.

64 65 To our fathers in distress; 4 For the joy of human love 5 Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing Praise Him, still the same for ever, Brother, sister, parent, child, eyes; Slow to chide and swift to bless: Friends on earth, and friends above, Shine through the gloom, and point me Praise him ! Praise him ! For all gentle thoughts and mild: to the skies. Glorious in His faithfulness. Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s 5 For each perfect gift of Thine, vain shadows flee: 3 Father-like, he tends and spares us; To our race so freely given, In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me! Well our feeble frame he knows; Graces human and divine, Henry Francis Lyte, 1793-1847 In his hand He gently bears us, Flowers of earth and buds of heaven: Rescues us from all our foes: Folliot Sandford Pierpoint, 1835-1917 Praise him ! Praise him ! Widely as his mercy flows. MHB 948 4 Angels in the height adore Him; Abide with Me Ye behold him face to face; Sun and moon, bow down before Him, 1 Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide. Dwellers all in time and space, The darkness deepens; Lord, with me Praise him ! Praise him ! abide! Praise with us the God of grace. Amen When other helpers fail And comforts flee, Henry Francis Lyte, 1793-1847 Help of the helpless, Oh abide with me!

2 Swift to its close ebbs out Life’s little day: MHB 35: Earth’s joys grow dim; Its glories pass FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH away: Change and decay In all around I see; 1 For the beauty of the earth, O Thou, who changest not, Abide with me! For the beauty of the skies, For the love which from our birth 3 I need Thy presence every passing hour. Over and around us lies, What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s Gracious God, to Thee we raise power? This our sacrifices of praise. Who, like Thyself, My guide and stay can be? 2 For the beauty of each hour Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with Of the day and of the night, me. Hill and vale, and tree and flower, Sun and moon and stars of light: 4 I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness. 3 For the joy of ear and eye, Where is death’s sting? where, grave, the For the heart and mind’s delight, victory? For the mystic Harmony I triumph still, if Thou abide with me. Linking sense to sound and sight:

66 67 Peggy’S final wish

I would like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I would like to leave an after glow of smiles when life is done.

I would like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. “I have fought I would like the tears of those the good fight, who grieve to dry before the sun I have finished of happy memories that I leave my course, when life is done. I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, ... And so we bid Aunty Peggy the righteous judge, farewell with her three nightly shall give to me prayers: at that day ...”

The Lords Prayer 2 Timothy 4:7-8 For the Beauty of the Earth Jesus Tender Shepherd

69 APPRECIATION

A CARING EAR A SHOULDER TO LEAN ON A LOVING VOICE A HELPING HAND, ...

Aunty Peggy’s extended family wishes to thank you for the love and support you have shown us during these difficult days. May God bless you abundantly and return you safely to your various homes. Amen

Internet Service - Micromedia Xtreme, (GH) Ltd., Kumasi

71 The Last Salute... “To hear is to obey!”

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