Reflections of our soldier: Col Peter Mama Agbeko (ret’d)
Sunday, June 8, 2014 started like any normal day in my 50-something-year life. It, however, ended like no other. The 4.40 a.m. phone call from my mum was the game changer!
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Her message was short but incisive: “Please come over immediately; something's happening to your dad.”
I quickly scrolled through my phone contact list and desperately tried to reach a doctor friend. No such luck!
My multi-tasking skills kicked into full gear as I sped off towards my dad's Ashongman residence. Many thoughts ran through my fertile mind. What at all could be happening to my dad, Col. Peter Mama Agbeko, my all-time blowman! The term blowman is a reference to protagonists in movies. Anytime my dad said, "Come and make me a blowman," he meant ‘let the cash flow’.
I can confess that on that fateful day, I broke all the speed limits and my good friend ACP Angwubutoge Awuni would have been displeased with me. I made it to Ashongman in record time and dashed into the residence, which my parents fondly refer to as Casa Mamoyo.
The first person I met was Dr Samuel Adjei of the 37 Military Hospital. He is my dad's neighbour and family friend. As I greeted him and made my way towards the bedroom, he quickly hinted me on what to expect. My steps quickened. My blowman was gone!
My mum narrated everything to me and I went over to see the lifeless body of my dad. Spontaneously, I said a prayer for him. Dr Adjei called in the police to record the essential details, after which he arranged for an ambulance.
In all that, I found a number of things surreal. Taking off my dad's necklace and ring, helping to convey him into the ambulance, taking him to the morgue and seeing him after the post-mortem have all been humbling experiences.
Perhaps a little background information on the departed old soldier will help put things in perspective.
Early life and education
He started school at a Muslim compound in Tudu at the age of four and later enrolled at the Roman Catholic Infant School at Korle Wokon in Accra.
Dad progressed through the junior school and went on to St Joseph’s Catholic Senior School at Adabraka. He passed out from the senior school with flying colours at the end of 1944 and gained admission to the prestigious St Augustine’s College in Cape Coast (Augusco) in early 1945.
St Augustine’s College had been one of the many projects for which his father, Stephen Tonato Agbeko, had made an appreciable contribution. In recognition of that, his name is proudly displayed on a plaque at the school’s administration block.
After two years of frequent, disturbing ill-health in Cape Coast, dad was withdrawn by his parents and enrolled much closer to home at Accra Academy. Just as it was at Augusco, he maintained his academic excellence, passing out successfully at the end of 1950.
Professional career
Col. Agbeko was called to the Degree of the Utter Bar at the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple in May 1960. He then enrolled as a Barrister-at-Law and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ghana in October 1960. Peter also served as Honorary Counsel and Attorney-at-Law in the United States Court of Military Appeals.
He was honourably released from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in 1980, at the age of 51, having served for 19 years, one month and two days.
He was the first Ghanaian lawyer to be commissioned into the GAF. He was enlisted on March 17, 1961 with identification number GH 178. With time he became the first Director of Legal Services.
Dad was on duty tour in Namibia for close to eight years (from January 1992 to September 1999). He served as the Special Legal Advisor on Civic Affairs to the Government of the Republic of Namibia. He worked closely with the current President of the Republic of Namibia, Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba, who at the time was the Minister of Home Affairs. He returned to Ghana on September 20, 1999.
How can I tell a story that relays the message of what his love and strength has meant to us ALL? While it is extremely difficult to sum him up in a few sentences, I think I can proudly describe him as an officer, gentleman, distinguished lawyer, mentor, husband, friend, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
Who was this man who commanded such attention when he walked into a room? Who was this man whom strangers called their dad? The endless messages from around the world are heartwarming. He was called the “people’s soldier” for a reason. He truly lived an exemplary life of a humanitarian because when you met him, that was the only thing he saw -- a human, without any labels, accolades or rank.
He treated everyone, from market ladies and taxi drivers to the President, with the same level of respect. His greatest strength was his humility. If you knew him, you know that he loved people and he loved and celebrated life and living. He was a style icon and especially loved his collection of hats.
Dad was an avid reader, crossword puzzle master and, oh yes, Sudoku king. At 85, his brain was sharper than most of ours. He was an intellectual who could hold a dialogue on any topic with ease.
He completed the last chapter of his autobiography, aptly titled, “Wig and Gun - Memoirs of a Soldier’s Lawyer”, shortly before his passing. My siblings and I will ensure that the world knows his remarkable story.
My dad made friends with people from all walks of life and that opened my eyes to the principle of humility in a world in which people often refuse to interact with those from a different or less privileged social class.
If you were lucky enough to know Auntie Gloria, his wife of over 50 years, you no doubt are aware that dad enjoyed some wonderful meals with his liquid nourishment. Dad had a sweet tooth. The man loved chocolate and ice cream and his evenings were not complete without a cuppa and tea biscuits.
His military travels took us to Canada, Switzerland and Namibia. His most favourite trips were always the ones to visit the children and grandchildren.
He was truly the people’s soldier whose house was open to all. Dad was always such a gentleman – well mannered and polite, but always quick with a witty remark.
He loved the military and he died like a soldier. How amazing that he called and spoke to his children that fateful Saturday afternoon. It was his last goodbye. Before he finally fell asleep, he asked his wife whether the next day was Pentecost Sunday and said he was going to skip church. He held on to his Rosary as he always did and little did we know that he was being called to a higher place in the early hours of Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2014.
The funeral programme begins with a burial service at the St Catherine Catholic Church, Burma Camp, Accra, at 9 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, August 1, 2014. This will be preceded by a filing past from 7 a.m. Interment will be at the Military Cemetery, Osu-Accra. Funeral rites and reception will take place at the Retired Commissioned Officers Club (VAG) immediately after the burial.
At 9 a.m. on Sunday August 3, there will be a church service at the Rev. Kwesi Dickson Memorial Methodist Church, Atomic Hills and Ashongman Estates. This will be followed by a reception at VAG Club House at 1p.m.
As we celebrate the life of Colonel Peter Agbeko, may I ask that we share our hopes for peace on earth. Life is too short to do otherwise.
Thank you for the lifetime of memories that we will treasure and hold on to forever.
We salute you, Old Soldier! Rest in perfect peace, Dad.