Ode to Akoto Ampaw (Sheey Sheey)

As alluded to in last week’s article, the topic for this week was to elaborate on individual social and political rights.

However, there has been a slight tweak to the schedule because of the laying to rest of a legendary advocate and activist of the human rights fraternity in the Volta Region after a solemn burial service at the forecourt of the State House. 

This write-up is, thus, dedicated to my mentor, colleague friend and, above all, fellow activist, Anthony Akoto Ampaw aka Sheey Sheey. 

Even though this is entitled an ‘ode’ to Sheey Sheey, I am incapable of writing a true ode as I’m not steeped in the tradition of true poets. I know you might find this a little baffling; given the name I was christened with. 

Robert Shaw, my beloved father, whose decision to add George Bernard to the family name Shaw, has further compounded the problem.

Here is my own little appreciation of the life of Sheey Sheey. 

I am motivated to write for a myriad of reasons, as our paths crossed in a lot of disciplines ― academia, sports, human rights advocacy and activism and a passion for the endurance of the rule of law, to mention just a few. 

In all these endeavours, Sheey Sheey was an inspiring colossus, as well as a mentor par excellence. 

Student days

Throughout his student days, spanning both high school and tertiary education, Sheey Sheey excelled not only in academic matters but was a formidable sportsperson as well. 

In football, “rough tactics”, as he was popularly known at Saint Augustine College, was a delight to watch according to the comments of his contemporaries. 

This innate talent of his ball juggling skills shone through during his university days when he became an integral part of the Legon football team.

It was no wonder that Accra Great Olympics ― ‘Oly Dade’, ‘Agosu’, ‘Oly Rosalinda’― one of the great teams to emerge in Accra alongside my own glorious Hearts of Oak, recruited him to play for them at the peak of his football prowess.

Law 

After successfully navigating through his law degree at the university, Sheey Sheey embarked on one of his numerous passions: journalism. 

The Midas touch of Sheey Sheey took no time at all to reflect in his media escapades.

Before long, the man Sheey Sheey had established himself as a formidable journalist, writing interesting and poignant critiques of autocratic governments, as well as providing thought-provoking social commentaries. 

To date, his much-acclaimed book on journalism ‘Legislation on Media, Speech and Expression in Ghana’, published by MFWA, is still a leading textbook on the subject. 

In law, Sheey Sheey excelled and, even though the term ‘legal luminary’ has been used to describe less deserving practitioners of law in recent times, the same cannot be said of him. 

Copious ink has been spilt on his achievements as a formidable advocate, so I will not belabour that point.

Suffice it to say that his most recent display as an advocate in the last presidential election petition was as eye-catching as it was riveting. 

Sheey Sheey was always at the forefront of fighting for social justice, being a prominent member of past and present groups like the New Democratic Movement, Movement for Freedom and Justice, etc. 

It was the measure of the man that a lot of important personalities attended his funeral: Professor Karikari, Professor Yaw Graham, President Nana Akufo Addo, Mr Yaw Oppong of Ghana Law School, just to name a few. 

You will be forever missed but we will continue your fight for equality and human rights.

Rest well, my friend.

The writer is a lawyer.
E-mail: georgebshaw1@gmail.com