Anglican Pastor dies after cross-over

The watch-night joint church service in Tema on December 31, 2015, turned tragic when Rev Fr Professor George Ankrah-Badu, former Hematologist at the University of Ghana Medical School, died shortly after ‘crossing over’ into the New Year.

The Anglican priest, who doubles as Head of the Sickle Cell Disease Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, was said to have collapsed while conducting the watch-night service to usher members of the church into the New Year (2016).

He was quickly revived by some medics present at the church and made to take some rest.

Professor Ankrah-Badu, according to information, drove himself to his residence at Community 10, Tema, after the church service.

He however, reportedly felt some awkwardness when he got home and called a colleague doctor to pick him up to the Narh-Bita Hospital, Community 4, Tema.

Information from the hospital revealed that the priest himself walked from the car into one of the top private health facilities. After some medical examination, he was admitted and infusions placed on him to stabilize him.

His condition got worsened as doctors at the hospital tried to save him but could not; he died at about 5:05 am on January 1, 2016.

The motionless body of the hematologist has been deposited at the Tema General Hospital for autopsy.

A member of the church, who pleaded anonymity, told DAILY GUIDE that Prof. Ankrah-Badu was hale and hearty when he went to the church for the watch-night service.

According to the member who also attended the service, the Anglican Priest joined other members of the church in singing and dancing.

However, not long after that, he was seen swooning and so some members rushed to hold him and he was sent to one of the offices where he was revived and joined other worshippers before leaving for the house.