A different example: Elegy for President JEA Mills

By Gideon Quarcoo

From conjoined loins of Ekumfi Otuam and environs of the Oguaa region

Issued a son unheralded, yet surely destined for Greatness

Treading the foothills of Tarkwa, learning early the hard clean line

To eschew pride and avarice, preaching love, forgiveness and peace

Hearkening to God the Holy Father, with Christ the Saviour in warm embrace,

Patched in the Grey City on the Outlaw’s Hill, Glorious Kuziunik’s fortress no less

Duly rendered in Legon-on-the-hill, steeped in traditions of the gentleman scholar

Always a kind word for kith and kin, for friend or foe, made no difference

So let it be known that even then, you were setting a different example

My Brothers and Sisters… even early then

you were setting a different example!

With steely resolve and tenacity, three times out and three times back in

Presidentially with lofty principle, yours a different example did you set

When friends, once loving, close and loyal, traitorous now sought your demise

You continued steadfast, yes you did…

you set a different example!

When in desperation once-friends-now-foes, sought to turn the colour white to black

Blinded to truth libelled and slandered, clad in black and red cards aglow

Baying vile untruths and invective, twice announcing that you’d passed on

Still undeterred, with stoic resolve,

you pressed on with a different example!

That fateful day, like lightning bolt, our husband, father, teacher, friend

Leader suis generis par excellence, without notice, no goodbyes said

Left to yonder Eternal Village, a lonely voyage of no return

The Sun, interdicted and in dark veil, grey skies bearing sombre witness

Disbelief unyielding, grief unrelenting, condolences ineffectual, woe are we!

We cry a river, words confound us, bloodshot eyes swollen near-shut

‘Tis unprecedented, a National bereavement! Odupon atutu! Odupon atutu!

Why now crocodile tears, chameleonic tribute, why now adzemlekutu sentiments?

We’re not fooled that once you’re at rest,

Same people will revert to the old ways

Vilification and calumny, cynical hearts; tongues-a-lying, adu ko nu, dome le vo!

Aaah! Ao! Dzalele!, Wen yoh!, Shieee! Quelle dommage!

Adzei, ye wu ooo! Owu aye yen adze ooooo!

Ei, nokware ni, Owuo kita a enkwa ntumi nngye!

Asomdweehen ada ne benkum do!

Damirifa due! Senu! Babaa nawo! Afee noko eeei!

How will we remember you, Illustrious Son?

We should best remember you, through our words and deeds

Live through us and let all see, let’s show we’ve passed in Millsism

Leadership founded on pillars of service, sacrifice, selflessness, devotion

You were the one, the only one, in the annals of Mother Ghana

Most vilified in life, most beloved in death;

and still a different example!

Alas! you’re gone from us too soon; deafening silence, stormy stillness

Brood as sentinel over unbelief, at this all-so-sudden departure

We recall your courage, humility, and empathy; your tenacity of purpose

To set a different example…

example not for the faint of heart

But for seekers of truth and tolerance;  lofty principle and integrity

Fare thee well, King of Peace! You served with dignity, gritty humility

You charted the course for A Better Ghana … for love of God and Dear Country

Beloved Asomdweehen; Okunini, hen Man Panyin! Yours for all Eternity,

A clarion call to all the Faithful: Seek you first the Cause of Humanity,

And other things shall be added unto you!

Ghana will not die … Ghana will live … to declare the Glory of Her Maker…

May Our Nation Ghana remain great and strong!

Peace I leave to my Nation…It is done,

Asomdweehen! Rest in Perfect Peace with your Maker

Let it be remembered, from here anon,

you did and have set a different example!

Dedicated to H. E. Dr. Naadu Mills