Father Abraham : At 90 Uncle Ebo Abraham continues to touch lives
A loving father, an affectionate granddad, a good uncle and a faithful friend to many comrades. A veteran of World War II, entrepreneur par excellence, astute politician, extraordinary music proprietor, sports enthusiast, philanthropist, traditional leader, statesman and above all a God fearing person.
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The above sums up the legendary existence of the man who has, for the greater part of his life built a successful home and contributed immensely towards the development of his motherland Ghana, and charted a blazing line for generations to come. Simply put, an inspirational man.
Born on March 26 1925, Mr. Jonathan Abraham – popularly known as “Uncle Ebo” - turns 90 in 2015, nonetheless still very active in his profession as an Electrical Engineering contractor, chieftaincy role, father, grandfather and godfather of the family and a grand socialite. He is known in traditional circles as Nana Osam IV, Mankrado of Abura Bando in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District of the Central Region.
Parentage
Mr. Abraham was the first of 12 siblings born to Mr Jonathan Abraham Snr, UAC manager and Ms Regina Hugson both of blessed memory. He has consistently played a supporting role in the welfare of his immediate and extended family. Uncle Ebo tied the knot in matrimony with his beloved wife, Juliana Abraham in 1954. They were blessed with eight children,: six females and two males. Following an illness, Mrs Juliana Abraham passed away on March 15 2004 and 19 grandchildren.
He had his education at the Methodist School in Cape Coast and the Asuansi Technical Institute. Whilst still at the school, the Gold Coast Frontier Force (WAFF) took over the school at the outbreak of World War II. He enlisted into the WAFF with regimental number 68866 on January 19th 1944, as a steward boy, but trained as a general mechanic with the military.
He saw action In Burma and India and was discharged on June 3rd 1947 after the war. He worked in Tamale and Bolgatanga before retiring from the military in 1953.
Abraham Construction Company
Following this retirement he founded and set up his company, Abraham Construction and Electrical Company in Kumasi during his stay at Asawasi, which he recalls with fond memories.
Whilst in Kumasi his company did a number of electrical installations including those for the Shell Filling Stations in the Ashanti region at that time, those for some of the Education Trust Schools such as the Dormaa Ahenkro, Acherensua , Sefwi Wiawso, Swedru and Apam secondary schools, as well as the Kwame Nkrumah Ideological Institute at Winneba
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The company also undertook the electrical installations and wiring of Tertiary Institutions such as Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi (KNUST)’s Africa Hall, the administration block two and the shopping centre. In the health sector he completed electrical installation and wiring of - to name a few - Government Hospitals at Kibi, Yendi and Keta.
Mr. Abraham relocated to Tema on the advice of the first president of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and undertook the electrification of Communities Five, Eight, and Nine the housing projects.
As company director, he recently participated in a programme organised by the Energy Commission to upgrade the skills and competence of electricians engaged in domestic, commercial and industrial projects and engineering activities. This shows the passion, commitment and dedication he has towards the profession. In times past his company has been selected amongst others to attend trade events in Singapore and Thailand. Over the last decade the company has won high profile public sector tendering and contracts from the Electricity Company of Ghana.
Mr Abraham is the Ghana representative to Siemens India, an International leading powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering.
At 89, Mr. Abraham is still keenly active in his profession. Among his latest grand electrical installations is his involvement in the extension of power from Sekondi to Aboadze to facilitate the construction of the Aboadze Thermal Plant.
Sportsman
As a keen sports enthusiast he owned pedigree stables in Kumasi and Accra, which bred horses that were favourites in horse racing in both Kumasi and the Accra racing courses.
He shared his passion in horse racing with Dentist Kuofie, now Nana Ababio, James Town Mantse, the late John Bitar, Ben Bigazi. This was duiring Mr. Mayo Plange time as the Board Chairman of the Accra Turf Club and the Race Steward.
He also served as the Chairman of the Chairmen of Football Clubs in Ghana which had football administrators such as the Mr.Harry Sawyer (late), Mr. Ofori-Nuako, (late) aka “Paa O” of Kotoko fame and Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe of Accra Hearts of Oak.
He was also a football administrator in the Gold Coast as Chairman of the Kumasi Evergreen Football Club in the 1950s whose players included veteran Ben Kuofie (Ghana Football Association - GFA - Chairman) who played at in the number five jersey position for the Evergreens, Amonoo Neizer, Gold Coast centre half, Ekow Pobee, number 11, Yaya and others.
He later served as a Deputy Chairman of Accra Great Olympics before becoming the Chairman of Sekondi Hassaccas. It was during his tenure as the Chairman that Hassaccas won the West Africa Football Union Cup with Fred Osam Dodoo as the coach.
His love for entertainment particularly music enthused him to establish the popular entertainment spot “Talk of the Town Hotel” at Community 2, Tema, with two resident bands famously known as ‘Sweet Talks’ led by Smart Nkansah and AB Crentsil and “Talkatives” led by Jewel Ackah.
He took the entire Sweet Talks band to tour in West Africa and the United States of America where the band did recordings at Phonogram Records, an International Recording company in the US.
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He collaborated with his brother the Joe Mensah (late) – famous for ‘Bosu-we’ – to do collaborative works like Hi-life in Hollywood with Wayne Henderson co-founder of Jazz Crusaders; Chief Ebenezer Obey, Sir Victor Uwaifo and staged many star studded live performances during the 1970’s and early 1980’s, until the infamous curfews in the 1980’s killed off the flourishing Ghana entertainment businesses.
Tema Excellence Award
In recognition of his achievements in Tema, he was bestowed with an award in 2012 by the Chief Executive Officer of the Tema Excellence Awards Foundation.
As a staunch member of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), he ran assignments for President Nkrumah and was in close contact with the top echelon of the CPP including Kojo Botsio (late), the Foreign Minister at the time.
Installed as a chief in 1979, Nana Osam IV, Mankrado of Abura Bando in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District of the Central Region has contributed immensely towards the development of the area. These include the extension of electricity to communities within Abura Etsifi and the establishment of a Community Health Planning Services (CHPS) Compound at Abura Obohen ; the construction of a teachers’ quarters at Bando and the Institution of a scholarship scheme for needy students.
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He is Patron to most of the fellowships in his local church St Stephen’s in Tema. He also contributed in financing the Cape Coast Anglican Cathedral renovation in memory of his late mother. He lends his Godly service also in support of his late wife’s church, the Prince of Peace Presbyterian Church. Together they were Patrons to a number of the fellowships in the church such as the Singing Band and The Prince of Peace Gospel Band.
Trying moment
The most trying moments of Uncle Ebo’s life was when he was encountered with the sudden loss of his beloved wife. The support of his immediate and extended family has enabled Uncle Ebo to bounce back to life.
Other challenging moments of test in his life was when he lost all financial assets after the 1966 coup because the assets of the Ghana National Construction Company, to which he was a partner, was liquidated and transferred to the State Construction Company. Following on he also fell victim to the JJ Rawlings revolution where more hard earned assets were seized from him. But with perseverance and coupled with positive attitude towards life and with the Mercies of God he survived these set-backs with good fortune of blessed healthy life with loving family and friends.
He says what keeps him going is his regimented keep fit routines every morning; two slices of Fanti Kenkey included in a healthy meal every day; never missing a Manchester United live match and driving himself accompanied by a grandchild to church fellowship every Sunday.
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We are blessed to be part of the history of this wonderful and unique personality, whom to us has walked through the “Hall of Fame” in his own right and is today being honoured by God with length of days, life and health. One so hard to be forgotten and one who continues to touch so many lives.
All Hail Dad
All Hail Uncle Ebo
Truly a Ghanaian states elder.
Happy 90th Birthday.