Tribute to Nana Kodjo Jekrahuda Jehu-Appiah: He was Gna’s sweetheart — Editorial Dept.

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” Ecclesiastes (9:10).

Nana, you were simply phenomenal in the way you touched the work and hearts of your colleagues across the length and breadth of the country, in the 26 years that the Lord offered you to the Ghana News Agency (GNA).

With a deep sense of humility and graciousness of attitude, you worked diligently to show yourself approved. For you, hard work counted a great deal; so you devoted yourself to the job on a 24/7 basis, responding to all the demands of the job. “Nana, I have a story!” was a common request, to which you would often respond, in your usual jocular manner: Fatum wai! “Nana my story is not gone”, will come another request.

Nsuro wai, wo nni haw. It was your delight to see all the stories cleared from the pool, including salvaging the most difficult copies. And when you were satisfied with your output for the day, you would always count the number of stories you had subbed, to assess you performance.

Indeed, you always topped the productivity scale in matchless standards, thereby earning you the bragging rights, “Editor One; Boss One”, to which you delightedly responded, “One, One”.

It was always a wonder how you managed to alongside these, find the time to conduct interviews to write stories and features; and also to write speeches, tributes, book reviews, and do other communication assignments that others elsewhere, demanded of you.

Mentoring

Besides these, you devoted a lot of time to mentor the young and old – staff, stringers, service personnel and interns – giving them story ideas and guiding them to write good copies. When meetings prolonged, you were the first to prompt that our work was waiting to be done.

Indeed, it is evident now that you were aptly responding to Solomon’s shrewd advice in Ecclesiastes 9: 10. Nana, GNA could not compensate you in monetary terms for your sterling professionalism and hard work, but we can assure you that the Agency would forever carry your story, as having eked your footprints in the sands of time. “Nana o, Nana, w’abo adwuma pa pa pa pa!” Auntie Yaa is hailing you!

Engagemenet of people

As a jolly good fellow, you meant many things to different people, Nana. With astounding wit, banter, jokes and slogans, you engaged the people life brought to you in a manner that made them feel positive and good about themselves.

You usually welcomed them with that signature warm smile; and treated them to some exciting moments that satisfied them to depart fulfilled, often with hearty laughter. “Oduro, you something!” Kwei Quaye shame, ayeh!”; “Bonah, Lanquaye is ready for the fight, he will knock you out”! “Pat, the bigger, the better, Onaapo”! - That was you in classic banter, Nana! Pat is asking, who would admire her big plus size now? Nana, you were generous to a fault, always sharing out of your need; even borrowing to give to those who depended on your goodwill.

You represented the best in humanity, finding the quality time to celebrate with colleagues who had something to celebrate; likewise you mourned with those who were bereaved. On that fateful August 16, you were preparing to attend Anku’s son’s outdooring ceremony, when you were suddenly taken ill.

Hang outs

You loved to hang out with friends, Nana! Who will now treat Ben to those end-of-day khebab delight sessions, or give Boat that after work chill-off treat? “Senior o, Senior”, Linda is calling out to you, for the cinnamon tea with hupsen biscuit is ready; Nana, Audrey has brought the salad, come and let’s celebrate the Fante Tradition! Oh, Chris has brought the roasted corn, where are you?! Lydia says, “You’re her irreplaceable Prof!” Christabel is asking, “No goodbyes? Nana! Aaah Boss One, My English Teacher, you exited this mortal world with ‘Divine Speed’”.

Ramsey says Nana,”Aying-bogno” (in Dagbani to wit; Is this your hometown?) He prays you’ve gone to your ultimate hometown, Your Maker’s House.

Baby Jet has brought a hot story from the courts, Nana; she needs you to edit it to hit the headlines.

Dzifa says she was enjoying those constant interactions she was having with lately, but she can’t find you anymore. Aggie says, she will forever remember your jokes and the flair with which you made the job stress-free at the Desk.

Bea says her joy at work is perpetually constrained, without you- her soul brother, her confidante! Hannah has brought her baby for your blessings, Nana! ‘Kiss me Yeboah’, Nana Asare, Patrick, Francis, Ken, Ben Mensah, Arko, Edna, Attafuah, Belinda, Hafsa, Kamil, Adams, Fiabu, S.K., Godwill, Elsie, Josephine, Iddi, Laary, Stella, Adams, Samira, Kwamina, Julius, Tony, Eddie, Richard, Robert, Ama, Appiah, Felix, Fred, Asantewaa, Regional colleagues, yes, everyone, in your GNA family is hurting; You’re irreplaceable!

Indeed, your sudden passing has hit us like a tornado and devastated us. Nana, you were to GNA, what Princess Diana was to England. Everybody’s sweetheart! “Who doesn’t like Nana”? Ghosh had asked, in anticipation of the goodwill that must be reciprocated to ensure that your dear wife and kids enjoy the fruits of the love, which you so freely and generously sowed.

1 Corinthians 13:13 states: “And these three things remain: Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is Love. “Nana, you had faith that the Lord will perfect everything concerning you for a greater testimony; You had hope that one day the authorities will acknowledge the importance of the GNA, and invest in the efforts of its selfless and hardworking people; and you had that vintage love, which transcended colour, creed and status.

Nana, we wished we could still have more of you, but actually, you’ve accomplished your assignment: For God and country with distinction!

You’ll forever be in our hearts - GNA’s Sweetheart! As we mourn you, we pray that Jehovah grants you eternal refuge.