Hundreds pay last respects to C. K. Gyamfi
Hundreds of Ghanaians from all over the country yesterday converged on the State House in Accra to pay their last respects to Nana Charles Kumi Gyamfi, one of the successful coaches in the country’s history.
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It was not surprising to see many people paying their last respects to the man credited with the honour of leading Ghana’s Black Stars to all their African Cup of Nations (AFCON) glory, both as a player and a coach.
It was a real celebration of life as tributes shared memories of his achievements, re-emphasising what was already known, but they strongly depicted him as a great and true sportsman who remained humble and warm-hearted throughout his life.
Football career
After a very successful football career both as a player and coach, C.K. Gyamfi retired and again excelled in his chieftaincy duties when he was enstooled chief of Okorase and later the Guantoahene of the Benkum Traditional Area of Akuapem.
A tribute by Joe Aggrey, a former Graphic Sports Editor and former Deputy Minister for Education and Sports, recounted how C.K. Gyamfi also showed immense interest in boxing and was a ‘great conqueror’ in the bouts he engaged in, but had to give up the sport because of the threat of being punished by his uncle.
“He began to blossom as a fine boxer and his mentor became so fascinated with his progress that he nicknamed him ‘Billy Gyamfi’. But the dream was to be cut short sooner than anybody could imagine… After winning a thrilling bout, his uncle, who was suspicious of the activities of his nephew and had got wind of his latest victory, read the riot act to him and demanded that he quit boxing forthwith. Thus ended the adventure with the fistic sport,” Joe Aggrey wrote in his tribute.
President Mahama’s tribute
In a tribute read on his behalf by the Youth and Sports Minister, Dr Mustapha Ahmed, President John Mahama said the legend showed his remarkable nature with his smooth transition from being a successful sportsman to a national legend and a traditional ruler.
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, also in a tribute, said C.K. Gyamfi’s immense skills and talents impressed many. He expressed the hope that current and future generations would emulate C.K’s example to excel, for themselves and country, adding that the deceased had left an indelible mark in the annals of Ghana’s history, which will be hard to surpass.
His nature was also emphasised in the sermon preached by renowned evangelist, Rev. Lawrence Tetteh, when he talked about ‘not holding on to being offended,’ a sermon specially chosen by C.K. to be preached at his funeral service.
Rev. Tetteh, one of many who in their youthful days were mentored and encouraged by C.K. Gyamfi, said apart from affecting one’s health, holding on to being offended or hurt, was also a stumbling block to one’s spiritual life and he was grateful that C.K. “always let go.”
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Though a time to say goodbye to a departed one, the service turned out to be a re-union for many people, as friends and acquaintances who had not seen one another for years were brought together. Even in death, C.K. was a great unifier, as said in most of the tributes.
Among the gathering were a former Youth and Sports Minister, Mr E.T. Mensah, Dr K.O Quansah, the team doctor for C.K’s 1965 squad; Eddie Annan, former Ghana Tennis Association Chairman; Mr Adjin Tettey , Mr Amarkai Amarteifio, other former Youth and Sports Ministers and many old national footballers whom C.K. coached.
Football fraternity
The football fraternity was well represented, led by its president, Kwesi Nyantakyi, and his vice, George Afriyie; the Coaches Association led by Sam Hemans-Arday, as well as the Retired Footballers Association (RENFAG) led by Ibrahim Sunday. Former Black Stars Captain and coach, Kwasi Appiah, who described the late C.K. as having made a very big impact on his life by believing in him, flew in from his Sudan-base to pay his last respects.
The members of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) also turned up to pay a glowing tribute to the man who for a long time was one of their patrons.
The final journey for the legend ends today with the burial and final funeral rites at Okorase, near Koforidua, and a memorial and thanksgiving service at the St Thomas Clegg Memorial Methodist Church, Kaneshie in Accra tomorrow.