When the Surpriser gets Surprised? “Fear Woman!” - Brig Gen Dan Frimpong (Rtd)
My fifth book “The Military, My Life: 43 years, 5 months, 25 days” was launched on Thursday, 10 August 2023 at Burma Hall, Burma Camp. The day marked the 83rd birthday of Maj Gen Edwin Sam (Rtd), a former CDS who was the Chairman for the launch in 2010 of my first book “Leadership and the Challenges of Command.”
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When I asked the coordinator to alert the Armed Forces Band to surprise the General during proceedings with a Happy Birthday song, little did I know that the coordinator, like Brutus in Julius Caesar, was part of a grand “conspiracy” with my “Manager” and my friend Naana to inflict a major surprise on me!
When the MC, ace broadcaster Kwami Sefa Kayi announced that, there was a surprise for the author by Mrs Frimpong, I was stunned, because no such discussion had taken place earlier. Below is a reproduction of the surprise!
SURPRISE
QUOTE
APPRECIATION OF BRIG GEN DAN FRIMPONG BY WIFE EVELYN
“What shall I render to my God for all His Mercy’s store? I’ll take the gift He hath bestowed and humbly ask for more.”
I, together with my husband appreciate your presence at this function and I say God bless you all for coming.
Today, I would like to use this opportunity to celebrate my dear husband, Brig. Gen. Daniel Kwadjo Frimpong RTD, whom I met here in Burma Camp some 48 years ago. I thank God for making it possible for you to attain the Biblical threescore and ten years seven months ago, on the 2nd of February 2023. This book launch was to coincide with this birthday, but unfortunately, things did not turn out as planned.
Dan, as I affectionately call you, I have always told you, I don’t believe in writing and reading “glowing tributes” when a person is dead, lying still in a casket and cannot hear me. I thank God for allowing me to spend forty-three and a half years (and counting) out of your seventy years with you.
We met casually in 1975 and we both never thought that brief meeting was going to be the beginning of a life-long partnership. We got married five years later, in 1980 and have lived together since then. It has been a very challenging as well as an enjoyable journey. It has been winding, muddy, rough and tough but with God in our marital vessel, there have been happy, pleasant and memorable experiences which I shall forever cherish. We have cried and prayed together in difficult times, laughed and teased each other in good times.
God blessed us with two handsome and intelligent boys, Nana Osei and Nana Boateng; and a beautiful and equally smart daughter, Aku Sika. Exactly 15 years ago, on the 28th of June 2008, God in His own wisdom took away the eldest, Nana Osei Frimpong. That was the most devastating period in our marriage. God Himself wiped away our tears, consoled, comforted and strengthened us, making it possible for us to move on with our lives.
You were almost released from the Ghana Armed Forces in 1983, but miraculously God took you out of it. At the tail end of your career, in October 2012, you were involved in three road traffic accidents within 10 days. After these accidents you fell ill suddenly and it took the grace and mercy of God for you to recover fully.
You are a God-fearing, disciplined and principled Officer and Gentleman. You exhibit honesty, integrity and hard work and you are a great repository of knowledge. God gifted you with the talent of writing which you have developed extensively. You have authored four books, and you write articles weekly for the print and online media. I always marvel at your ability to identify new and engaging topics every week. You speak your mind freely to the discomfort of many. You are an embodiment of selflessness, generosity and forgiveness. You have taught me to forgive and let go of hurts. You always seek my advice on anything that you plan to do.
In the year 2000, you convinced me to go back to school to do a Master’s Programme. I applied to the Ghana Education Service, my employers, for Study Leave which was granted but without pay. I felt it was going to be tough on us but you insisted and paid every pesewa for me to do the course. You even allowed me to go and live on Legon campus to make studying easier for me.
I taught for over thirty years and when I retired 8 years ago, my pension pay was and still is nothing to write home about. When I showed my pension payslip to you, all you said was: “My Dear, your pension pay and mine put together is more than enough to make us comfortable”; and you have kept your word, making sure I am always catered for.
Over the FORTY-THREE YEARS, SEVEN MONTHS AND SIX DAYS of our marriage, you made it possible for me to travel widely. To mention a few, I have been to Canada, the USA, France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Nigeria. These travels have enriched my life with memorable experiences. Thank you for providing all that made the children and me comfortable.
My Darling husband, Brig. Gen. Daniel Frimpong (RTD), I will continue this journey with you, pledging my love, support and service to you till death do us part.
To quote Numbers 6:24 -26, Brig. Gen. Daniel Kwadjo Frimpong (RTD): “May the Lord continue to bless and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you, and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” That inner Peace that nobody except the Lord gives. I LOVE YOU DAN.
Thank you!
UNQUOTE
Discussion
I started my response by quoting Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar who said
“Of all the wonders that I have heard, it seems to me most strange, that men should fear; Seeing death, a necessary end which will come when it will come!”
For the surprise/ambush inflicted on me by “Manager,” and her accomplice Naana who beautifully sang a solo of Mississippi Choir’s “your grace and Mercy” before I spoke, I told the audience I was simply replacing Shakespeare’s quote of fear of death with, “Fear Woman!” I could not believe “Manager,” and Naana could collaborate in such a “conspiracy” against me!
“Manger’s” intervention has been described variously as a “spice,” “flavor” “masterstroke,” “highlight,” “icing on the cake” etc. Nana Gyan Apenteng, former Chairman, National Media Commission summarized it saying “The Recce General has been out-recced and out-manoeuvred!” A senior retired General has told me, for outwitting me, Mrs Frimpong’s title as “Manager” must be upgraded. Suggestions are welcome for a new job title!!
Her coup was premised on an article I wrote in September 2022 titled “Give me my flowers when I can still smell them.” In it, I advocated the recognition and appreciation by Ghana of outstanding Ghanaians when alive and not flamboyant tributes when they die. I quoted the rapper Kanye West who said “if you admire somebody, go ahead and tell them!”
After an excellent review of the book by former DG, GBC Major Don-Chebe (Rtd), the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Issah Yakubu, who stood in for the CDS as chairman and Guest-of-Honour, proceedings were brought to a close. Leadership, LEAD! Fellow Ghanaians, WAKE UP!
The writer is a former CEO, African Peace Support Trainers Association, Nairobi, Kenya and Council Chairman, Family Health University College, Accra