Mathias Ofori laid to rest at Vakpo
A former Managing Director of the Graphic Communications Group Limited, Mathias Worlana Kwami Ofori, who died on April 1, this year has been laid to rest at Vakpo in the Volta Region after a solemn burial service was held at the Trinity Church at Legon last Friday.
Advertisement
It was a solemn occasion as sympathisers and family members took turns to read their tributes and the biography of the nonagenarian.
Former editors, managing directors and staff of the Graphic Communications Group Limited, as well as friends and relatives were in attendance to pay their last respects to Mr Ofori.
Some of the former Graphic staff members were Mr Isaac Eshun, former MD, and Ms Elizabeth Ohene, former Editor of the Daily Graphic.
A staunch Christian, he played a vital role in the development and spiritual growth of the Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) Church.
In a tribute, Madam Esther Dzifa Ofori, a sister of the deceased, summed up the relationship between them, saying “so now we have come to the parting of ways, but for me, you just stepped into the next room.’’
“If I ever have to write my life story, I can say without a shadow of doubt that you were the best thing that ever happened to me”.
She sang a piece of classical music which was Mr Ofori’s favourite to bid him farewell.
Life worth emulating
In a sermon, a retired priest of the EP Church, Adentan, Rev Professor Gilbert Ansre, said Christians had to dedicate their life to God to enable them to accomplish his purpose for them.
According to him, Mr Ofori lived a victorious life worthy of emulation, noting that he was faithful, reliable, caring, compassionate and a noble man.
He described him as a persevering striver who had limited formal education but achieved greater heights, although he had a number of setbacks and disappointments.
While urging the youth to be hardworking, he advised Christians to adopt a Christ-like character, saying “ a Christ-like person has peace in life.”
Graphic pays tribute
The Corporate Communications Manager of GCGL, Mr Albert Sam, who paid tribute on behalf of the board, management and staff of the GCGL, described Mr Ofori as a selfless and patriotic statesman.
He said, Mr Ofori distinguished himself as an able administrator and crowned his leadership at Graphic with the setting up of the commercial printing department.
“Today, the commercial printing department, G-pak, a subsidiary, has become a leading packaging company not only in Ghana but in West Africa,” he said.
He said Mr Ofori was honoured when Corporate Graphic presented a package to him on his 90th birthday. In appreciation, Mr Ofori was quoted as having said: “ With this honour done me by Corporate Graphic to mark my attainment as a nonagenarian, I feel full and complete.”
Birth and early life
Mr Ofori was born on August 30, 1924, in Vakpo in the Volta Region to Mr William Kosi Ofori and Madam Irene Yawa Ofori.
Fo Mathias, as he was affectionately called, had his primary education at the EP schools in Vakpo and Kpando and passed an entrance exam in 1943 to Achimota College but could not enrol since his parents could not afford his fees.
He started working with the Graphic Company Limited as a costing clerk in 1950 and was one of the pioneer staff.
By dint of hard work, he rose through the ranks to become executive director of the commercial printing department in 1959 and later became the managing director of GCGL.
Advertisement
However, in the retrenchment exercise, nicknamed “Appollo 568”, the government summarily dismissed Mr Ofori on February 22, 1970, without just cause.
He returned to the printing and publishing profession and became the MD of Ghana Publishing Corporation in 1978 and later the MD of EP Church Press in Ho.