Biography of Lt Col Maxwell Patrick Simpe-Asante (rtd)
Lt Col Maxwell Patrick Simpe-Asante was born on Friday, November 1, 1935 in Obomeng Kwahu to Kwabena Asante and Agnes Yaa Serwaah. Colonel, as he was sometimes affectionately called, attended the Government Secondary Technical School in Takoradi, from 1950 to 1953.
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In 1956, he attended the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, in Kumasi, obtaining a Certificate in Specialist Physical Education.
He then travelled to Glasgow, Scotland, in 1959 where, for three years, he attended the Jordanhill College of Education. He obtained a Physical Education Diploma, and was very much liked by both his peers and his tutors.
On graduation, his Vice-Principal, John A. Smith, wrote of him - "… Mr Simpe-Asante gave clear evidence from the beginning of being an outstanding student. I consider that Mr Simpe-Asante is probably the ablest overseas student who has attended the College in my time, and I shall be surprised if he does not have a very successful career in his own country".
Great praise with words that in later years would bear out.
Hockey was Colonel's favourite sport and, from 1959 to 1968, he actively played in a number of prestigious hockey teams including the Jordanhill College of Education Hockey Team in Glasgow, the West of Scotland Hockey Team, the British Council Hockey Team in Accra, the Ghana Armed Forces Hockey Team, and finally, the Ghanaian National Hockey Team (The Black Sticks).
Career
In his professional career, Lt Col Simpe-Asante started out teaching Physical Education at the Roman Catholic School of Adoagyiri, Nsawam in 1957. He followed this by teaching Physical Education at Mount Mary Teacher Training College in Somanya, and also the Specialist Training College in Winneba.
He was commissioned into the Ghana Army as a Staff Officer in October 1965, after having attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, in Camberley, England. His specialisation was Physical Training, Games and Sports in the Ghana Armed Forces.
In July 1966, he was joined in Holy Matrimony to Beatrice Alberta Simpe-Asante (née Viala) at St Catherine's Roman Catholic Church at Burma Camp.
Between 1967 and 1974, Uncle Maxie and Auntie Bea, as they were both warmly known, were blessed with three children – Patrick Maxwell Jnr, Gregory Albert and their beloved daughter, Estelle.
In 1968, Colonel was appointed the Deputy Director General of Physical Training, Ministry of Defence at Burma Camp. He held this position until 1974 when he was promoted to become the Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Sports in the Sports Division of the Supreme Military Council, State House. The Commissioner for Sports at the time, was the then Head of State, General I.K. Acheampong.
From 1965 to 1978, Colonel was appointed Chairman of the Ghana Amateur Athletic Association, Chairman of the Ghana National Playing Fields board, and also President of the Ghana National Olympic Committee. In 1975, he led the Ghanaian delegation to the WBC World Featherweight Boxing Tournament in Los Angeles, USA, between Ghana's D.K. Poison and Ruben Olivares. D.K. Poison won the fight on points to become Ghana's first World Boxing Champion.
In 1975, Colonel was awarded the Grand Medal, Military Division, for Meritorious Services to Sports in Ghana.
In 1978, Ghana hosted the 11th African Cup of Nations in Accra and Kumasi. Lt Col Simpe-Asante was appointed the Chairman of the Planning and Organising Committee for the football tournament.
With the games looming and national pride at stake, he and his team project-managed the building and renovation of the two major national stadia in time for the opening ceremony of the games on Sunday, March 5, 1978. Under his direction and leadership, the national football team, the Ghana Black Stars, went on to win the African Cup of Nations trophy for the third time by beating The Cranes of Uganda 2-0.
Passion for farming
Colonel had a great passion for gardening and farming. Whether through the multitude of plants and vegetables he grew, to the fish pond that he designed and installed at home, he loved cultivating and growing things. In their early years together, Uncle Max and Auntie Bea also ran a successful poultry farm. Later, in 1984, he turned his attention to managing his pineapple and palm fruit farm at Nsawam.
In 1985, he was initiated as a member in the Noble Order of Knights and Ladies of Marshall, Council 10, Accra where he served in multiple positions within the Noble Order. In 1990, at the age of 58, he returned to studying part-time, enrolling in the Institute of Education at the University of London, where he completed a Bachelor of Education degree course. He followed this by further attending a two-year Master of Arts post-graduate course in Religious Studies and Education Management, also at the University of London, at the age of 60.
During this period, he also held full-time tutoring positions at Dick Sheppard Comprehensive School as well as Archbishop Michael Ramsey School in London, where he taught Physical Education and Religious Studies. In 1995, he was appointed Head of Department in Religious Studies at Archbishop Michael Ramsey, a position he held until 2005, when he retired from teaching
Award
In 2003, Lt Col Simpe-Asante was presented with the Ohene-Djan Memorial Lectures Award for Services to Sports Development in Ghana. In July of that same year, Colonel lost his beloved wife, Auntie Bea.
From 2004 to 2008, he dedicated his time to the Ghana Catholic Chaplaincy in London, as Youth Co-ordinator and Treasurer. He also served as Reader/Lecturer at Council 87 of the Noble Order of Knights and Ladies of Marshall in London.
From 2011 to 2012, he served as the Chairman of the Protocol Committee in Council 87 of the Noble Order of Knights and Ladies of Marshall. Lt Col Maxwell Patrick Simpe-Asante was a devoted husband, father and brother. He was resourceful, hard-working, and always spoke his mind. An unwavering Christian, one always knew where one stood with Colonel.
As he entered the twilight years of his life, Colonel travelled between Ghana and the United Kingdom, spending his time with his children and grand-children, and following his favourite football team, Manchester United.
On the evening of Sunday, February 12, he passed away peacefully after a short illness.
He is survived by three children and seven grand-children.