Nana Kodjo Jehu-Appiah receives befitting burial and memorial service

Family members and loved ones with heavy hearts, tributes and unrestrained tears, gathered at the forecourt of the Ghana International Press Centre on Saturday, to bid the late Nana Kodjo Jekrahuda Jehu-Appiah a befitting farewell.

Most of the mourners were adorned in traditional Ghanaian mourning clothing of black and red showed deep emotions as they took part in the final burial and memorial service of the late Jehu-Appiah.

The ceremony started at exactly 0830 hours with an opening prayer by Reverend Benjamin Kweku Amoah followed with an emotional filing past of the mortal remains of the deceased by loved ones.

The immediate family of the deceased held a 15-minutes farewell ritual to bid their departed loved one safe eternal journey to his maker, which was interspersed with singing of solemn hymns by the Musama Disco Christo Church Choir.

Dr Koma Steem Jehu-Appiah, a member of the Jehu-Appiah Family, read the biography of the late Jehu-Appiah.

Nana Jekrahuda Kodjo Jehu-Appiah, Head of the Home Desk of the Ghana News Agency, was born on July 9, 1962, and was the first of the five children of Prophet Dr Mathapoly Moses Jehu-Appiah and Madam Sarah Peregrino.

Joojo as affectionately called by his family members and friends started his primary school education at the Saint Monica’s Preparatory School at North Kaneshie, Accra.

He enrolled at Saint John’s Grammar School in 1978, where he graduated with a GCE Ordinary Level Certificate and proceeded to Swedru Secondary School in the Central Region in 1983 where he successfully obtained his Advanced Level Certificate.

In 1987, Nana Kodjo enrolled at the Ghana Institute of Journalism and graduated in 1989.

He also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Religion from the University of Ghana.

Nana Kodjo Jehu-Appiah joined the Ghana News Agency in January 1991 as a young reporter and was posted to the Northern Region of Ghana where he endeared himself to everybody and excelled in his work.

He took Advanced Training Course for Journalists at the International Institute of Journalism in Berlin, Germany.

By dint of hard work, he was chosen by the GNA to cover the then Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama in 2001 and travelled with him to many countries, including Nigeria, Cuba, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Nana Kodjo distinguished himself creditably in both local and international assignments and won many admirers both within the Agency and outside.

Mourners expressed shock over his sudden demise describing him as a man with many parts always ready with a smile and very cheerful.

Dr Jehu-Appiah read: “The good times we shared with you, we will always recall and miss you so much. You will always be in our thoughts and forever in our hearts”.

Nana Kodjo Jehu-Appiah’s demise occurred on September 11, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital after a short illness.

He was 55 years and survived with a wife, Mrs Vera Ama Zodanu Jehu-Appiah, and two children, Nana Kodjo Jehu-Appiah Junior and Nana Efuah Jehu-Appiah.

The mortal remains of the deceased would be interned at the family cemetery at Mozano in the Central Region.

The burial service attracted both young and old from all walks of life who shared fond memories of the deceased and described him as affable, approachable and remembered him for his great sense of humour.

There were tributes from the wife, children, Ghana News Agency, the Editorial Department, the Communication Workers Union, the Ghana Journalists Association, while Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr David Eklu of the Ghana Police Service paid a glowing tribute on behalf of the Service.