Tribute to my Dad, Mr. Yakarah Naah

Mr. Yakarah Naah gave up his ghost through a short illness on 24th September 2023 in Ghana at the age of 85 years. Mr. Naah was an ardent farmer and a talented xylophonist. He was a hardworking, selfless, generous, people-oriented person and a great dad.

The sad news of your passing received from my kid brother in Ghana sharply broke my heart after I successfully organized and moderated a scientific workshop in Berlin.

Dad, your departure to meet your maker came so fast. I least expected this dreadful news after I came to the village to meet you and the family in April 2023; 6 months before you left us. Your last 2 fowls given to me when I met you in the village symbolized your last gift and blessing for me before you departed.

I wished you were still alive so that I could pay all my dues to you. However, I took solace in the fact that the Lord has given you more than 8 decades to live before He called you back. I thank God today for His mercies and for granting you such time on earth to be with us.

Although you are done and gone now, the memories I had with you as a kid till your departure on 24th September 2023 are still fresh and long-lasting. Time will not allow me to tell it all, but to cite a selected few of such unforgettable personal experiences I had with you.

Papa, the best thing you have done for me is make me a global citizen by allowing me, the first in the family, to receive a formal education and making sure my educational needs were met. I remember you waking me up early in the morning to study for an hour before going for my JHS classes.

Your sacrifices for me to have a strong foundation of education and training in my formative years indeed paid off greatly. I hope I have made you proud wherever you are now. Despite receiving full scholarship for my university education in KNUST (Kumasi) in 2002, you made sure you sold some cows to give me more money. I still clearly remember you told me you wished you had enough money for me since that would protect me in the University. While being a pupil teacher and earning some coins then, you would still ask me whether I had money on me and insisted to give me some money when I came to the village.

When I had the opportunity to pursue my further studies abroad in 2009, you blessed me with your words and said I would meet my father where I was going to. Indeed, for the past 15 years in Germany, the Head Pastor of Christ For All Church, Pastor Ebenezer Yeboah has been there for me in terms of prayers, encouragement and giving me pieces of advice where necessary.

I never fully appreciated the sacrifices you made for me until I became a father myself. You have taught me by your actions to be a hardworking, and a selfless person like you.

Dad, your departure has left a huge vacuum in the family. You are greatly missed in our hearts. Now that you have finally joined your 2 eldest sons (my elder brothers) and your parents who left before you, greet them for me. Papa, your labor on earth was not in vain as your name and legacy are still sustained. Continue to REST IN PERFECT PEACE until we meet again. Tribute by Son, Dr. John-Baptist Naah Researcher in Germany.