Cremation took place in Edinburgh today of Mrs Elspeth Elder, 100, author of ‘Kan Me Hwe’ and Mmofra Nnom’.
Mrs. Elder worked in Ghana from 1929 to 1959 in various educational institutions. After studying Twi, she wrote a number of children's books in Twi, the most prominent being the ‘Kan Me Hwe’ reading series and a book of songs ‘Mmofra Nnwom’ for Presbyterian children.
In a tribute, H.E, Mr. Isaac Osei, Ghana’s High Commissioner praised Mrs. Elder, a Scottish, for her contribution towards the country’s education. He said Ghanaians had greatly benefited from the pioneering spirit, missionary zeal, kindness and sacrifice of Mrs. Elder and her family.
Note to Editors The full text of the High Commissioner's tribute is reproduced below;
TRIBUTE TO MRS ELSPETH ELDER BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER OF GHANA, HIS EXCELLENCY MR. ISAAC OSEI
It is barely seven months ago when at the invitation of the Scotland-Ghana Society I attended the hundredth birthday celebration of this great lady Mrs. Elspeth Elder, whom we mourn today. Although Scottish, we in Ghana regard her as a great Ghanaian, as she contributed so much to the development of education in our country, and thereby helped to build a solid foundation for modern Ghana.
All Ghanaians benefited immensely from the pioneering spirit, missionary zeal, kindness and sacrifice of Mrs. Elder and her family. The Gold Coast in 1929 was certainly not the best place to stay but she defied all odds – mosquito bites, malaria etc – left her native Scotland, went to our country, learnt two of our languages, Twi and Ewe, and wrote ”Kan Me Hwe” a premier reader for our infant schools and “Mmofra Nnwom”, a book of songs for Presbyterian children. That the educational authorities then found it important for “Kan Me Hwe” and the remaining five books, which her cousin, Mr. William M. Beveridge and his wife helped prepare, to be translated into Ga, Ewe, Fante and English and at least one Nigerian language show us the scholarship, hard work and imagination that went into the writing of the first book. Indeed, as we say in Ghana, Odupon atutu (a great tree has fallen).
On behalf of the Government and People of Ghana and in my own name, I wish to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to Mrs. Elder for all that she did for our country. Since her book was written, no one has gone through our educational system without having read her work. In the language that she spoke fluently, I will like to say, “Owurayere Elder, Ghana foo nyinaa da w’ase. Esie Ne Kagya nni aseda”.
“Owurayere Elder Damirifa due,
Damirifa Due, Due ne amane hunu
Da yiye”
May She Rest in Perfect Peace.
