In loving Memory - Mr Joseph Appiah

MEMORIAL & BURIAL SERVICE FOR THE LATE

PRESIDING ELDER

JOSEPH APPIAH KUBI

....................................................... .......................................................

1957 - 2022

Burial Service, Thursday 16th March, 2023 Final Funeral Rites: Saturday 18th March, 2023 - 12:00PM -6:00PM

“Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why.

No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.” Isaiah 57:1-2

IN LOVING

MEMORY

PRESIDING ELDER

JOSEPH APPIAH KUBI 1957 - 2022 IN LOVING MEMORY | PAGE 1

Functionaries

OFFICIATING MINISTERS APOSTLE DR. FRED OPOKU-GYIMAH APOSTLE SAMUEL AMPONSAH BIOH APOSTLE JOSHUA VICTOR KWABENA ADU REV. ATTAH NIMAKOH REV. DIVINE WILLIAMS REV. FRANCIS ADDAI

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Order Of Service

PART-ONE: PRE-BURIAL 1.

Opening Prayer

2.

Song

3.

Filing Past

4.

Song

5.

Closing of Casket

PART-TWO: BURIAL SERVICE 1.

Declaration of Purpose

2.

Praise and Worship

3.

Scripture Reading

4.

Offertory

5.

Biography & Tributes a.

Biography

b.

Wife

c.

Children

d.

Church

6.

Song

7.

Exhortation/ Sermon

8.

Prayer for Departed Soul and Family

9.

Offertory – Family

10.

Announcement

11.

Closing Prayer

12.

Benediction

PART-THREE: AT THE GRAVESIDE 1.

Songs

2.

Committal

3.

Laying of Wreath

4.

Vote of Thanks

5.

Benediction

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Biography

THE LIFE OF JOSEPH APPIAH Joseph Appiah, popularly known as Joe Appiah or Papa Yaw, passed away at age 65 on Friday, December 16th 2022, after battling a long illness.

EARLY LIFE He was born to Abena Asamoah (Ogray) and Kwabena Asempa, dealers in farming tools, in Obuasi in April 1957. Ogray had lost multiple children before Papa Yaw's arrival, so he was dearly beloved and pampered by his mom. He loved playing football and blowing balloons and would usually burst them in a few days, but his dad would immediately replace them for him.

He started primary school at Twepease RC primary, where he was a diligent and highly brilliant young boy. As the oldest son, he was always eager to go to his parents' shop and help with sales. When he finished primary school, he was sent to his grandmother Nana Wa a w a 's h o u s e a t Antoboase in Obuasi to continue his elementary school at the Obuasi Anglican "B" Middle School.

Throughout middle

school, Joseph was first in his class; due to his exceptional leadership skills, he was appointed assistant school prefect.

He was amiable and famous in his neighbourhood because he was a sweet, hardworking boy.

PROFESSIONAL LIFE After middle school, he realised he was interested in electronics and pressured his parents to enrol him as an apprentice at an electrician's shop in Obuasi; he studied hard and learned the trade quickly. Immediately after he finished his apprenticeship after four years, he was employed by Ashanti Goldfields Corporation (AGC), now known as AngloGold Ashanti, as an electrician in the Electrical department for several years. Joe Appiah continued to make an impact at AGC; most of his supervisors and colleagues described him as dedicated, self-reliant and an exceptional

team player. It came as no surprise when he was promoted and transferred from Obuasi to the AGC Headquarters in Accra in 1984. There, he joined the Group Properties department as a Senior Electrician and continued to win the hearts of the staff.

Motivated by his love for education and professional development, he enrolled in several NVTI courses to gain knowledge in his field and then proceeded to Accra Polytechnic to study refrigeration technology. He later pursued and obtained diplomas in electrical engineering in Europe and USA. IN LOVING MEMORY | PAGE 4

Biography

Mr Joe Appiah was an industrious staff of AGC where he rose through the ranks to head the Maintenance Department.

After two and half decades at AGC, he left to set up his own company, Benivan Engineering, specialists in the sale and maintenance of generators.

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY In 1978, Joe met Faustie in Obuasi. He used to visit his friend Isaac who lived in the same community as Faustie. Isaac introduced the two to each other, and they spent 43 blissful years together as a couple.

Mr Appiah was the epitome of fatherhood. He provided for all eight children and made sure none ever went to bed hungry. A believer in education, he sent his children to the best of schools

in Ghana and abroad. Even after a hard day's work, he still had time to help his children with homework. He would stay up till midnight to teach complex math concepts just so his children could understand and excel in school.

He cared for his wife, children and extended family, and opened his home to everyone including his wife's family.

That's how big his heart was!

COMMUNITY & CHURCH INVOLVEMENT

As an astute member of the Born Again Believers Church, Mr Appiah served diligently for over 30 years in the church.

Due to his faithfulness and diligence, he was appointed an Elder and served in this capacity for over 20 years till his demise.

OTHER SPECIAL DETAILS Joe Appiah loved playing competitive draft (dami) at the Sakumono draft club on Sundays after church, even when he was seriously ill. One of the times, after a hospital visit, the family couldn't find him and thought he was missing; after searching everywhere for hours and with so much anxiety, his best friend Mr Boafo found him watching his mates play "dami."

SICKNESS AND DEATH Mr Appiah was diagnosed with a chronic illness in July 2021 in Atlanta, USA. There was a quick decline from there, but through prayers and the combined efforts of his loving kids, he could pull through. Mr Appiah returned to Ghana in February 2022 to spend time with his wife and family back home.

Unfortunately, in September 2022, IN LOVING MEMORY | PAGE 5

Biography

there were other developments, and he returned to the USA for further medical review. He could not recover and met his u n t i m e l y d e a t h o n F r i d a y, 1 6 t h December, at the Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, USA. Joe Appiah leaves behind his wife, Mrs Faustina Appiah, eight wonderful children and a large extended family. He was a noble and thoughtful man, loved by all. He cared deeply for others and took an interest in what they did.

Mr Joseph Appiah, you lived an impactful life! All and sundry will greatly miss you!

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TRIBUTE BY WIDOW: MRS FAUSTINA APPIAH “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

1 Timothy 5:8 My dear Joe epitomised what the scriptures say about being a husband and a father. Day and night, he worked tirelessly to provide for me and the family. He did this not only out of a sense of duty but also out of a passion for his work.

My beloved husband was an embodiment of love, patience, compassion, kindness and empathy. He cared deeply about others and was greatly burdened by their problems. He often empathised with those who were sick and would ask what he would do if he were in their shoes. Driven by his empathy, he would go out of his way to extend his support the best way he could.

I have fond memories of our 40-plus years together. One such memory that gladdens my heart and I will forever cherish was how he used to affectionately refer to me as “my wife, my wife”. That's how he always addressed me when he got home from work. This caused one of our neighbours who had frequent squabbles with his wife to remark, “Appiah! Every day my wife, my wife. I will also address my spouse as such”, and truly he did. As our neighbour did the same with his wife, they stopped their petty quarrels. Even when Joe offended me, as soon as he playfully called “my wife, my wife”, I would smile, and we would reconcile. I really loved that about my dear husband and will sorely miss him.

He was such a jovial person; he would tease me anytime I mispronounced a word. He was a teacher to our children and me.

I loved Joe dearly for how deeply he cared for me and was concerned about my well-being. He would happily make my warm bath for me. Whenever I was ill, he would insist that I go see a doctor. I would refuse until he took me to the hospital himself. As a result, he would often say, “as for you, if I do not personally take you, you will not go anywhere. What will you do if I am not around?”, to which I would reply, “where are you going to?” Little did I know he would leave too soon. I thought we would grow old together and live our best lives in our old age, but God had other plans. “Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.”

I pray that God will give my beloved husband a good place to rest. Agya Appiah, me ma wo nante yie. May God be with you till we meet again!

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TRIBUTE BY THE FIRST BORN: BEN APPIAH

TRIBUTE BY CHILDREN

It is with a heavy heart that I write this tribute to you Dad. You had your flaws that mostly stemmed from your desire to see your children succeed; the beatings you gave when I made a mistake while you were teaching me math are some of the things that I remember you by. Those were tough times but as I have grown older, I have come to appreciate that those beatings are proof of how much you cared. You wanted us so much to seize the opportunities that you felt a formal education provided.

“You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains, you raise me up, to walk on stormy seas, I am strong when I am on your shoulders, you raise me up to more than I can be”

One other character trait that you are known for is your generosity. Most people who know you are aware of how generous you are with your money and your time. As your son, I benefited from your generosity as well, far beyond what could be expected of you as a father. One story that sticks to my mind is when I returned to Ghana after being away in the US for 11 years pursuing higher learning. I came to spend about 6 months in Ghana before heading for an opportunity in France. At the airport, you gave me 500 Euros to send me off. I refused the money but you pushed it on me knowing that I wasn't working. That money really came in handy as I used it towards paying rent before my first paycheck in France. That selfless action made me think of you not just as a father but as a close friend that I could rely on as well.

The two fundamental lessons that I have learnt from you and will pass on to my future children, nieces, nephews and yo u r g r a n d c h i l d re n a re to va l u e education as a means out of poverty and to lend a helping hand to those who are less fortunate.

I am proud to say that I am a product of you, dad and will make sure that your legacy lives on. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

These lyrics perfectly capture the way we remember you, Daddy. You were an incredibly selfless and caring father who always prioritised our well-being. From fixing our broken phones to buying us kenkey from our favourite joint, you were an altruistic father who would give his last cedi for the comfort of his family.

Selina and Lily will miss sharing your meat with you. Lucy will miss calling on you to repair her broken stuff. May will have no one to write a poem for on Father's day. Ben, Desmond, Nana and Kojo Boafo will have no one to celebrate their successes like you did.

Daddy, you were the best teacher we ever had. You did everything you could for us to have the best education; you did not only take us to the best of schools but also got personal tutors for us. You even enrolled us in piano lessons though none of us was musically inclined. The home was the safest place because daddy was always there to protect us. We did not doubt how dearly you loved us; each of the girls thought they were your favourite, especially Selina. You were her first boyfriend.

How can we talk about your love without your discipline? As our shepherd, you believed in and lived by the scripture, “spare the rod, spoil the child”. You only had to shout once, and we were all awake for our daily morning devotions. Missing

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church was not an option in the Appiah household; that's how you instilled in us the fear and love of God. We owe part of our success to you.

You were selfless and generous; you gave without measure. Even on your sick bed, you were still worried about our wellbeing. We are not surprised Ben learnt a lot from you; he is always looking out for us and putting our needs above his.

Daddy, what will life be without you? We can't even begin to imagine.

We remember how dumbfounded you were and the tears of joy you shed on your 60th birthday. It was priceless! You said, “I knew you could do it, but I wasn't expecting it now.” We are glad we didn't wait and got the chance to honour you while you were still alive. We thank God we were able to express how grateful we were to have you as a father. Even though we won't be able to celebrate your 70th as we promised, we are comforted with the memories of your 60th birthday.

These past couple of years have been the hardest for us; it was painful to see your health deteriorate each day. But your sickness and death have brought us together like never before; we made some of the most difficult decisions

BEN

SELINA

LILY

DESMOND

regarding your care, we fought the doctors to ensure you had the best possible care, we prayed and fasted for you, and we held vigils for you. We have so many questions about your untimely death but choose to believe that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord. Daddy, we will honour your memory by continuing in our love for one another.

The day death laid its cold, cruel hands on you, the day we called out your name but got no response, the day we hugged you, but you couldn't hug us back, that day was the most painful day. We lost our hero, but mummy lost her life partner and companion; the church lost a leader, but the world lost a truly special gem.

Your demise has left us with a vast emptiness and incredible pain. Though our hearts ache for you, we smile today, knowing you are in a better place. Rest well, daddy, rest well, Agya Appiah.

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians4:13-14

LUCY

ELVIS

MAY

KOJO IN LOVING MEMORY | PAGE 9

Tributes

TRIBUTE BY SIBLINGS Whenever we think about our brother, we remember his bright smile. He had one for everybody he met along the way. We cry and cry, knowing that we will never be able to see that smile again. But as we look back and remember his life, we know he is smiling down at us with the brightest smile he can give, knowing we remember him.

As the eldest of six children, Joe Appiah was the glue that held the family together; We remember the many valued a n d m e a n i n g f u l ro l e s h e p l a ye d throughout his life. A family man, a loving brother, and a comfort for our parents when they were alive.

PATRICIA: You were my beloved "Bra".

From the fond memories of us playing together in Adinkra in Ogray's hut to being the best suppor t system throughout all the life changes. Bra, I never made a single life decision without consulting you; you were my everything.

Your sickness hit me so hard, I often questioned God, why my brother? Why this time? I thought we'd have more time together; I thought we'd grow old and grey and watch our great-grandchildren running around; I never pictured I'd be saying goodbye now. I am comforted by the fact that you are resting in the bosom of the Almighty.

LETICIA: "Mi dofo", "barima 3na", "abranti k3sie" These were some of the accolades I'd give my brother any time I'd see him or call him on the phone. My brother was my hero; he made sure to protect me, guide me and offer to advise whenever I needed it. When we were young and would engage in petty fights, Bra would be an instant mediator. One call of his name, and he would be with you in a heartbeat. You only had to

mention that you were in need, and he would give even his last penny. I am so grateful for the time I spent with you, the experiences, the laughs and the sorrows we shared along the way; it was an honour to do life with you, Bra. Rest well.

BEN: My brother was my role model and mentor; he lived an exemplary life. He made sure to support my life decisions.

He was loud and proud whenever I was able to achieve my goals, and together with the whole family, he was with me every step of the way. My big brother showed me how to live a principled life underpinned by a strong sense of right and wrong. He showed me true love, through sickness and health, and I will never forget his prayers, encouragement, and advice. I will genuinely miss you, Bra, and promise to keep the mantle you have left me.

GEORGINA: All those who knew me thought my brother was my father; he adopted me when I was just a child, took care of me and ensured I lacked nothing.

My brother was always there for me; he showered me with attention and care through constant communication. He supported my dreams and ensured that I felt valued and seen. He disciplined me whenever necessary, and sometimes, it didn't feel too good to be Joe Appiah's sister because you wouldn't get away with anything. Now that I am older, I cherish the lessons because I wouldn't be where I am without you, Bra. Your sickness took me by surprise; going through the different phases of your illness was some of the most painful moments of my life, and your passing was a significant blow.

Our brother's passing has left an unbearable void. But we know he would hate to see us crying for him. He would want us to cling to the beautiful memories and forgive ourselves for IN LOVING MEMORY | PAGE 10

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whatever regrets we have. He would like us to be strong through the darkest days ahead. That is what he always does – he gives light and strength when it seems impossible to go on.

We can never deny the pain we are carrying, but we want everyone to remember him as a blessing and a lesson.

We want to treasure the life he shared with us over the pain that his death has brought us.

Rest in eternal peace, dear brother. You will live on forever in our hearts.

Romans 14:8. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.

PATRICIA

LETICIA

BERNARD

GEORGINA IN LOVING MEMORY | PAGE 11

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TRIBUTE: NIECES AND NEPHEWS

will live on through the memories and love we carry in our hearts.

Today, we choose to honour and remember the life of our beloved uncle Joe Appiah.

Wofa was more than just an uncle; he was a father, a mentor, and a source of inspiration to all who knew him.

We will miss our uncle dearly, but we take comfort in knowing that he is now at peace and reunited with loved ones who have passed before.

Our uncle lived a life full of laughter, love, and kindness. His infectious smile and warm embrace could light up a room, and his generosity knew no bounds. He was always there for us, offering a listening ear and a comforting shoulder to lean on.

We remember him as a man who was a proud uncle; he would always brag about his nieces and nephews. He never hesitated to remind us of his uncle status, always ensuring we addressed him adequately as “Wofa.”

Uncle Joe will always be remembered for his unwavering spirit and kind heart. All his nieces and nephews have benefited from his generosity; he never hesitated to help whenever possible. He touched the lives of so many people, and his legacy

Rest in peace, dear uncle. You will be forever loved and never forgotten.

With love, Your nieces and nephews TRIBUTE: GRANDCHILDREN Nana: Grandpa, it saddens my heart that you are not here with us anymore. You were a kind-hearted man and were always willing to help me when I needed it.

Although we didn't see each other that much, the times we spent together were my favourite. I remember when you used to drop me off and pick me up from school and help me with my homework .

Whatever I didn't understand in maths, you would teach me easier and faster methods to get my answers. I miss every second we spent together, like when you would ask me to bring you your dinner or when you asked me to take off your shoes for you. When you went to the US, you still managed to talk to us on the phone. When you got sick, I prayed for you to get better and visit us in Ghana. Your 65th birthday at the Chinese restaurant was the day I got to see you smile happily and dance in a long time. That was the last time I actually had fun with you.

When we went to see you off at the airport for your flight back to the US, you didn't look like someone who would pass away so soon. Even though you were very sick you seemed so happy. When I heard the sad news of your death, I felt very sad to hear I would never see you again but I know you are still here with me spiritually. I will never have another grandad as kind, caring and loving as you.

Grandpa, rest in peace till we meet again Maame Kwar teng: Grandpa, your absence will be deeply felt. Your love, care, IN LOVING MEMORY | PAGE 12

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and support have left a lasting impact on me. I will miss our maths lessons, where you made me excel in the subject with your simple teaching methods. I will also miss the rides to and from school, and the love and affection you showed us. You were the best grandpa ever! Even when you were sick, you still called me on my birthday to wish me a happy birthday; that was the last time I spoke to you. I appreciate everything you did for me and wish to see you again. The last time I saw you smile was on your 65th birthday at the Chinese restaurant. I'll never forget how you danced with everyone including grandma.

When we dropped you at the airport to go to the US and took a picture, I didn't think you would not come back healthy. I had faith in God that we would spend time together again. I was so heartbroken when I heard the sad news. It was very hard for me to experience that and I was very sad deep down in my heart but I know you still are the loving, kind and amazing person you once were. Deep down in my heart, I know you love me and I love you back. Grandpa, I will miss you very much but I know we will meet again and I know you are in a good place.

Grandpa, see you again in heaven.

GRANDPA REST, AND REST WELL. Kobby: You were the best grandpa and I will never replace you. Grandpa, you were an exceptional teacher, especially in mathematics. You made learning easy and helped me understand the concepts I struggled with. Your guidance and support went beyond academics and extended to my passion for football.

Though you won't be able to witness my success, I hope you are proud of me. You instilled in us a strong work ethic and the value of education by ensuring we went to bed early and assisting with homework.

You would bring out your belt when we refused to go to bed and we would run into our room to sleep.

Your dedication and care will always be cherished, like the time you brought me my forgotten homework folder at school.

Your 65th birthday celebration remains a fond memory; seeing you dance and smile filled me with joy. I will miss you.

There's no grandpa like you. Thank you for everything. Rest in peace dear grandpa.

TRIBUTE BY IN-LAWS Charles Kwarteng “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 Friday, December 16, 2022, remains a sad day in our memories simply because this was the day you left us and placed a dark cloud around us.

Daa, as I call you, you were a big pillar we all leaned on. Your warm-hearted persona made us feel so comfortable around you. You cared and were so concerned about the well-being of everyone, including my family. Your pieces of advice will be sadly missed.

Daa, you treated me as your biological son and, in fact, introduced me as one of your sons to your friends and business associates any time we met them in a meeting or at an event. Your great personal relations and your admirable sense of humour 'removed' all my nervousness when I met you for the first time in Manchester, UK, during one of your business visits and as a to-be sonin-law, chatting with you in a car on our way home, felt like you had met and known me for years.

I couldn't thank you enough for all the help and support you gave my family and me, including taking and picking up my children to and from school and helping them with their homework. Daa, you made impossible things possible, inspired me greatly, and positively touched many lives. I couldn't have had a better Dad-in-law, and I am so happy to call you my dad and feel so proud to be your son-in-law.

My wife, your daughter, and I and the entire family know that you fought long and hard to be with us. We also know you are resting well with your maker and watching over us. Although we cannot hear your voice and see your smiling face, we know deep down in our hearts that you have not left us.

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Daa, may you enjoy your stay with the Lord, and your soul rest in perfect peace till we meet again.

Daa, Damirifa Due, Daa, Da yie !!!

and even in his weakest moments, he still gave me marital advice. I enjoyed watching soccer and discussing life with you. Your departure from the earth is unfortunate, but I also believe you are in

Robert Entsiey “…Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds follow them!” Revelation 14:13 Daa, anytime I was in your presence, t h e re w a s a b s o l u te l y n o f e a r o r intimidation because you treated me like a son. You were genuinely concerned about my well-being and success, advising me on several issues. I will always be grateful for introducing me to your friend, who offered me a job upon my return from the US. When you visited us, no amount of persuasion would make you sit idle. Even though you were not feeling well, you still took over feeding your grandsons and carried them till they fell asleep. When asked to rest, you jokingly said you were born to help people, and I truly agree with you. You might not be here to help us any longer, but we have learnt from you to help others even when it's inconvenient. I'm thankful to God for giving you to us as a father. We are comforted because we know we will see you again. Sleep well, Daddy!!

Collins Dwamenah When I count my blessings and name them one by one, I surely count the day I met Agya Appiah as one of them. All I can say is thank you, daddy, for all the wise words and wisdom you imparted to me.

You were truly a role model with several qualities to admire. It was a great privilege to have you as a father-in-law.

During the last few months of his life, not a single day passed by without him showering the blessings of God upon me,

a better place now. Damirifa Due Agya Appiah!

Franklyn Asante “It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honoured in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:20-21 Daddy, as I affectionately called you, I am drawn to tears as I pen down this tribute in memory of you. I called you Daddy because even though you were my father-in-law, what we shared was more than that; it was a relationship as would exist between a father and a son. You treated me like one of your own. You welcomed me with very open arms when I first met you to ask for the hand of Lucy in marriage. That same warmth characterised our relationship until your sudden demise. I was looking forward to enjoying the cordial relationship we shared for a long time to come. I was hoping to learn a trick or two on how to be a loving husband to your daughter and a responsible father to the daughter God has blessed our marriage with; heaven knows you have done a wonderful job raising your own.

Your untimely departure has left a void in our hearts that no one can fill. But I take consolation in the words of the Holy Scripture, which assures us that “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things, have IN LOVING MEMORY | PAGE 14

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passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) It is my prayer that the good Lord, whom you so loved and were devoted to, will grant you the peace you deserve and preserve you in His bosom forever.

Daddy, damirifa due! Nyame nfa wo kra nsie!!!

COLLINS DWAMENAH

CHARLES KWARTENG FRANKLYN ASANTE

ROBERT ENTSIEY

JOANNA APPIAH KUBI IN LOVING MEMORY | PAGE 15

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TRIBUTE BY BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS' MINISTRY (INC) OF GHANA WEIJA APLAKU ASSEMBLY “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; And whether we die, we die unto the Lord; Whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.” Romans 14:08 It is with great sadness that our Church mourns the death of one of its most widely and highly respected leaders, Presiding Elder Joseph Appiah, popularly known and called 'Elder One' or 'Unopposed'. In the course of his ministry, which spanned over three decades, he was known as Father, Brother, Elder and Presiding Elder. He held several roles: The Head of Welfare, Chair of the Marriage Committee, once leader of the Men's Fellowship, Liaison between Head Pastors and Members, and Member of the National Presbytery.

No matter the order of ministry to which he was called, the office he held, or the title he bore, the most distinguishing mark of his ministry was friendship, that friendship into which Jesus called his disciples in the Upper Room on the eve of His passion, death and resurrection, that friendship into which he calls his followers in every age.

Elder joined Born Again Believers Ministry through an invitation from his wife (Mrs. Faustina Appiah). He enjoyed gathering the Church for worship and fellowship, and dialogue. Throughout his entire service at the Church, he upheld the wonders of diversity in unity. Indeed he embodied that long cherished principle among us of holding one another in “bonds of affection” in Christ.

None of us will ever forget his broad smile and his hearty laugh. None of us

will forget those moments when his eyes danced with delight over someone's happiness or a significant accomplishment. Nor will we forget those times he showed his benevolence through support to others in kind and cash. None of us will ever forget seeing his head lifted in songs – he loved to sing!

Nor will we forget seeing him dance to the wonderful tunes of the Church Choir.

Elder had an embrace in which we all experienced something of the fullness of Christ's love for us all.

While we all mourn him, we know what great trust he had in the promises of Christ, what great confidence he had in the Church of God and what great joy he had in the very thought of being a guest in heaven. Now, that time has come.

As we remember our dear father in Christ, we pray for Mrs Faustina Appiah (Maa Fausty) and for their children and grandchildren whom he loved dearly.

In remembering the manner of Presiding Elder Appiah's living and dying, a prayer written many years ago by Theodore Parker Ferris comes to mind.

“Teach me, O Lord, not to hold on to life too tightly. Teach me to hold it lightly; not carelessly, but lightly, easily. Teach me to take it as a gift, to enjoy and cherish while I have it, and to let it go gracefully and thankfully when the time comes. The gift is great, but the Giver is greater still.

Thou, O God, art the Giver and in thee is the Life that never dies. Amen.”

Presiding Elder Joseph Yaw Appiah, we are grateful for your service to the Kingdom of God, and you will forever be engraved in our hearts. Rest in the bosom of Abraham till we meet again.

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TRIBUTE FROM FRIENDS TRIBUTE TO MY BROTHER AND FRIEND JOE APPIAH BY KWASI BOAFO I met Joe Appiah at the Electrical d e pa r t m e n t of t h e t h e n A s h a n t i Goldfields Corporation in the year 1977 and in no time we mutually nurtured our acquaintance into a friendship which had drawn me into his family with the consent of his father, papa Asempa, his mother maame Grace Abena Kwabena aka Ogray and all his siblings both far and near who collectively accepted me wholeheartedly into their family. Within months, the whole village of Adinkra had recognized me, with some inhabitants referring to me as Ogray ba panyin to wit: Ogray's first born. This recognition endeared me to the family and by extension the village so much so that I virtually became a native of Adinkra and have remained so till date, courtesy Joe Appappi Jay as I affectionately called him.

He was a walking sunshine of truth, humour, friendship and understanding.

We grieve with the many who have known him in his life. We mourn with a world that must reckon with his death.

May he rest well in the bosom of his maker till we meet with Jesus on His glorious second coming. Fare thee well.

Amen

TRIBUTE BY KWAKU DANQUAH “Return to your rest, O my soul, For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.”

Psalms 116:7 The pain of losing you to the heartless and merciless hands of death hurts, yet

today I stand here to pay tribute to the one I called a brother. Brother Joe Appiah was a kind, caring and passionate person.

These attributes were reflected in his

lifestyle. We can all attest that Mr. Appiah was always willing to help others beyond his ability. He encouraged people to succeed. In fact, the vacuum can not be filled. He was always there for me. He was the only uncle my children knew.

We love you and are forever indebted to you. We will always miss you. It is painful now that you are no longer with us. Your golden heart has stopped beating; your hard working hands are at rest but your legacy lives on. Danquah family say Da yie bro. Until we meet again.

TRIBUTE TO A FRIEND AND BUSINESS PARTNER BY CYRIL YEBOAH Marcus Tullius Cicero once said “The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living.”

My heart is filled with immense pain and sadness over the unimaginable loss of my close friend and business partner Joseph Appiah whom I affectionately called Joe Appiah. I can't come to terms with Joe being no more. Even as I write this tribute, my mind is filled with confusion and denial about your sudden and rather shocking demise.

I met Joe around 2002/2003 when a friend introduced him to me to install my power plant for me. We immediately hit it off as we shared so many things in common including our birth year.

Through his hard work and never-giveIN LOVING MEMORY | PAGE 17

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up attitude, attributes which characterised his whole life, even till his dying moments, Joe was always a strong motivating friend. We have since kept in touch and remained good friends.

Joe was a great family man who cared a lot about his wife and children. I will forever remember him for his persistence and focus in all he did.

Joe, it is sad that you're gone too soon but I take comfort in the fact that you are resting peacefully in the bosom of the Almighty God your Creator.

May you Rest in Perfect Peace.

TRIBUTE BY MR. GEORGE BAAH “Bra”, literally means brother, as I would call him each and every time we met, and he never responded to my salutations or questions without the mention of my first name, George. Mr. Appiah was a big b r o t h e r, f a t h e r, u n c l e a n d m o s t importantly a mentor to me. I have known Mr. Appiah for more than 30 years and we've bridged the gap of merely friends to family relations as we both know all members from our extended families.

A s I ' v e k n o w n M r.

Appiah, he's dedicated to the personal upliftment of people around him. I personally benefited from that. I lived under his roof and from his wise counsel, I was able to get married and raise my 6 children; I took inspiration from him as he has 8 children.

Anytime I encountered challenges and problems associated with work, family and social life, I sought his advice and he always gave me one with no hesitation.

He was an affable, kind, selfless and Godfearing man. It was through him and his

wife, I became a devoted Christian. He played a significant role in my life and for that I'm grateful.

Till we meet again Bra. Rest well Mr. Appiah.

TRIBUTE TO A CO-WORKER, FAMILY FRIEND AND BROTHER BY E. DWOMOH APPIAH “Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.” James M. Barrie I first met Mr. Joe Appiah, when I was transferred from Obuasi to the Accra Head office of the then Ashanti Goldfields Company in 1997, as the Group Manager and later General Manager for all Ashanti's real estate properties in the country. Mr. Appiah then was in charge of all electrical repairs and maintenance of all Ashanti's properties in the Greater Accra region.

This meant that his unit was an integral

part of the Group Properties Department and thus he was a co-worker.

In his field, he demonstrated diligence, expertise and enthusiasm and was always at hand to resolve any problems that came his way. This brought happiness in the homes of all staff that he worked on. These traits made him a very much loved worker by both members of his team as well as the entire workforce in the Ashanti outfit. He was a supervisor in my department and one that I could count on to resolve issues on property maintenance even in my absence. Thus, IN LOVING MEMORY | PAGE 18

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he became not only a working colleague but a good friend of mine as well.

Later on in life his family came to live quite close to me in Lashibi and our children developed a strong bond of friendship. Our homes were like two in one, just separated by a short distance and since we also bore the same last name, he transitioned from a work colleague and friend to become a younger brother to me.

He had a listening ear and was a good adviser as well. Mr. Appiah's brief illness came as a shock to my entire family because we always saw him as a strong athletic me. He has left us with fond memories of his permanent smiling face and will sorely be missed by my entire family.

FARE THEE WELL MY FRIEND AND BROTHER.

TRIBUTE BY BERNARD AMPOFO AMANING We are gathered to honour the life and memory of a very gentle and kind soul who many of us know as Joe Appiah. I got to know Uncle Joe or Chief Appiah (that is what I came to call him), when I was posted as a National Service personnel, to the Group Properties Department of the then Ashanti Goldfields Corporation(AGC). The warmth of his hear t was infectious at first c o n t a c t .

Together with our boss, the G e n e r a l Manager of G r o u p Properties, I was taught and trained to be the professional I am today. Chief Appiah patiently bore with my rookie mistakes at work while he coached me on how to manage people and handle the complexities of the job. Our friendship

and brotherhood grew out of our shared faith in Jesus Christ. Chief Appiah was God-fearing and often encouraged me using scriptures.

Uncle Joe believed in me and supported my career and even without being asked, paid my TOEFL registration when I wanted to pursue postgraduate education in the USA. Uncle Joe's generosity knew no bounds, but I was mildly surprised when I visited him and his son Benjamin in Pennsylvania, during one of his numerous visits to the USA. He was temporarily hosting a stranger from Ghana who he had met at a professional workshop and was stranded because his accommodation plans had been messed up.

Chief Appiah had an easy going personality and was usually calm under pressure. Therefore, when he, in his usual calm manner, told me he was not well, I had no doubt that he would beat it just as he overcame other adversities, including a terrible accident he had when we went to a job site while at AGC. Oh yes! He did fight valiantly to the end.

Chief Appiah, we have said goodbye to your mortal remains but the loving memory of you will forever be in our hearts. May God keep you till we meet again. Farewell, my brother!

A TRIBUTE TO A LOYAL FRIEND BY BOAKYE-BOATENG It was an ordinary day in Kokomlemle, Accra, somewhere in 1991, that I came across a young man entering my shop 'Benz Gate' with what was then called a 'Smiling Benz'. We have a minimum of 20 customers per day but hearing this particular man speak at the cashier desk intrigued me - he just seemed so relatable. After our brief interaction, he became a Benz Gate customer and believe me, he was a good customer.

When Appiah says he'll come and pay on Friday at 5PM, he will be there on Friday at 5PM or at times, even earlier!

Fast forward 2011, twenty years later, Appiah became my electrician. He first IN LOVING MEMORY | PAGE 19

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dealt with my sites in East Legon and I noticed something different about him.

Where Ghanaians can delay and be ingenuine, Appiah continued to show his integrity and reliability. Slowly I began pushing all electrical jobs across my sites to him and he became my company, Latchview Ventures', only electrician. I could call Appiah after hours in a crisis and he would ALWAYS show up and deliver.

As I started sending him around to do jobs for me, he became a very good friend of my wife. They became such good friends that I called him 'Akonta' meaning 'brother in-law' in our local dialect. My wife always used to say, “I don't know what it is but he just attracts people to him.”

The day I knew Akonta became a brother and for that matter - family , was when of all the people Akonta knew in the UK, he chose our home for his lovely daughter Selina to stay in for a holiday to the UK. It was challenging for my wife and I to hear of his back and forth from Ghana to the US for his health. On our last visit to him, he seemed to be recovering - only for us to hear he had gone back to the US for further help.

Akonta has joined a few in the Latchview Ventures' “employee hall of fame” for all that he offered to us.

As Morrie Schwartz says, “death ends a life, not a relationship.” Akonta, I thank you for the friendship you gave me and I just wish that we had stopped work for one moment, to at least take a picture together which is a lesson I have learnt.

Akonta dayie, Akonta da yie.

From the Boakye-Boateng family.

uprightly enter into peace. They find rest as they lie in death.” Isaiah 57: 1-2 I was in shock when I heard of the death of Mr. Appiah, affectionately called Joe Appiah.

It has been very hard for me to write this tribute. A God-fearing, selfless, loving friend and brother, whose generosity knows no bounds. I had known Joe Appiah for more than 15 years. When I returned from Switzerland, I bought some home used generators to sell so looking for a buyer, I went to the old office of Anointing to see the way forward since they deal in generators, it was there that I met Mr. Appiah and I got to know that he also deals in sales and repair of generators. He has his office at Kokomlemle by the name Benivan. After some time, I got a place at Adabraka and opened my office (Millsben Ghana Ltd.).

As a result of that we saw each other often and we became good friends.

We advised each other on several issues.

He told me he would be travelling to the US for a medical checkup so he brought some of his generators to my end to sell for him. On that note, after he left I communicated with him and his daughter Madam Selina from time to time. It was not long after Madam Selina brought a buyer to buy the last machine that I heard of his demise.

Death has robbed me of a brother and a friend who can never be replaced. I pray that the good Lord who knows the hearts of men, will be merciful to you in a greater measure than you have given to mankind while you lived. May the good Lord admit you to His eternal joy through Jesus Christ our Lord and redeemer.

Farewell! Damirifa due! Yaa wo ojogbaa ye hejo le mli!

TRIBUTE BY MR. MILLS “The righteous perish and no one takes it at heart, the devout are taken away and no one understands, those who walk IN LOVING MEMORY | PAGE 20

One Week Celebration

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One Week Celebration

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Gallery

JOSEPH APPIAH & FAMILY

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Gallery

JOSEPH APPIAH & FAMILY

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Gallery

65TH BIRTHDAY & THANKSGIVING

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PRESIDING ELDER

JOSEPH APPIAH KUBI 1957 - 2022

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Appreciation The entire family, wife and children of the late

PRESIDING ELDER

JOSEPH APPIAH KUBI

wish to exppress their profund gratitde for your prayers, presence, sympathy and donation on this occasion of their bereavement

Thank You