The death was reported last Friday, January 23, 2004; at Tepa Asante Region of Mr Emmanuel W. Ellison, father of Ghanaweb columnist Dr. Kofi Ellison. The late Mr. Ellison was born on June 21st, 1921 to Mr Christian W. Ellison, a missionary for the Basel (Presbyterian) Church, who established Presbyterian Churches and Schools in the Asante and Brong Ahafo regions between 1920 and 1943, when he died (and was buried) at Maaban (near Tepa).
Mr. Christian Ellison was among a group of what became known as “Western Indian colonists”; educated Jamaicans who were sent by the Presbyterian Church as missionaries for the establishment of Christian churches in West Africa. In the Ghana (Gold Coast), these missionaries were first sent to Akropong, in the Eastern Region; where they were oriented to the task ahead. Mr. Christian Ellison’s first assignment was at Kumawu in the Asante Region. It was at Kumawu that he met his future wife Madam Theophilia Ellison (Abena Bio), who hailed from Papiase near Kumawu. Madam Abena Bio died in 1975.
Mr. Emmanuel W. Ellison was born at Kumawu and attended the local Presbyterian primary school. He completed his elementary education at Dwaaso (Juaso) in the Asante Akyem district. From there he enrolled at Wesley College where he graduated in 1944 with a Teacher’s Diploma (Teacher’s Cert. A). Mr. Ellison then joined his friend and Wesley College classmate Mr. D.Y. Opoku (later Senior Music Master at Opoku Ware Secondary School), to teach at the latter’s hometown Asuonwun in the Amansie district of Asante Region. At the time (1944), Asuonwun Methodist school, was one of the few places in the Asante region with a full elementary School (primary and middle school!). Mr. Ellison met and married his first wife Madam Emma Ellison (Akua Nyarko), a royal of the Firam Gyereba Stool (Kumasi Konti Division) of Asuonwun. He taught at schools in several towns in the Asante and Central Regions.
Mr. Ellison later obtained a B.A. degree in Education from the University of Cape Coast, and became the Senior Education Master and Vice-Principal at Tepa Training College. When the Tepa Training College was turned into a secondary school, Mr. Ellison taught English there for one year, before being assigned as an Education Officer at the Ghana Education Service at Tepa. After an illustrious career that began in 1944, Mr. Ellison retired from the Ghana Education Service. With the teachers’ shortage in the 1980's he returned to volunteer his teaching services in villages in the Tepa vicinity.
It was also at Tepa that Mr. Ellison converted to the Pentecostal faith in 1967; and joined the Ghana Church of Pentecost. His services to the Church of Pentecost at Tepa, and the towns and villages in the Ahafo Ano district, and beyond; is legendary. The positions he held in the Church included, Sunday School Teacher; Deacon; Regional Deacon; Elder; and Presiding Elder.
Survivors include his widow Mrs. Susana Ellison; his three sisters Madam Selina Ellison, Madam Agnes Ellison, and Madam Jemima Ellison, all of Kumasi; his oldest child Christian W. Ellison, and other children; several nephews and grand children.
According to his wishes (barring any family intercession!), Mr. Emmanuel W. Ellison will be buried at Tepa. Funeral and burial arrangements will be announced later.
For the late Mr. Emmanuel W. Ellison
Mr. Emmanuel W. Ellison, educationist, catechist and father of Dr. Kofi Ellison, a historian with the U.S Department of Justice, died last Friday, January 23, 2004; at Tepa Ashanti Region in Ghana. His death leaves us with a void, but one that we must fill with memory and good deeds.More important, his death also gives us reason to pause to think about the past.
One aspect of Mr. Ellison's life has a very arresting historical perspective; it brings to light the evidence of the common bond that ties Africa and her children in the Diaspora and how the same should serve as a lesson on how people torn apart by the brutal incidence of history can once again be united.
You will note that Mr. Emmanuel Ellison's father, Christian Ellison, hailed from Jamaica, and was one among many West Indians who were brought to the then Gold Coast as teachers and missionaries by the Basel Mission, later to become the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.
Christian's origin as a Jamaican is also a reminder of a historical fact: He was one of the many descendants of Africans who were cruelly uprooted from the soil of their native land and taken to the Americas. He found his way back.
Yet, on his return, and without bitterness, Christian contributed marvelously to the spiritual growth of fellow members of his church and gave selflessly to the communities he served. Even better, he married an Ashanti royal and sired Emmanuel Ellison, whom we mourn today.
Africa, or Ghana to be specific, owes men like Christian and their lineage a lot of gratitude. The benefits they created are many and inexhaustible; not to mention offspring who continue to contribute significantly to progress in many parts of Africa.
We at ProfileAfrica add our respect and condolences to the many tribute that will certainly be paid to the late Mr. Ellison. We also extend to his son, our friend, colleague columnist and writer Dr. Kofi Ellison, condolences from out entire community of readers.
We mourn and grief with you, Kofi. But we also maintain a deep sense of appreciation for the enrichment your father, the late Emmanuel Ellison, had brought to all of us.
May Mr. Emmanuel Ellison rest in peace.
E. Ablorh-Odjidja Publisher February 2, 2004
