MARGARET AIKINS

by

A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.

Maya Angelou

OFFICIATING PRIESTS

REV. FATHER BERHARD KOFI ACKON

REV. FATHER GEORGE ANTHONYTANDOH

ORGANIST

MR. P. K.ARKO

CHOIRMASTER

MR. C. K.ANNAN-DENNIS

MR. FRANCIS KWENIN

PART I - BURIAL MASS

Entrance Song // Nokwar meye Katorek Asorba Introit // Okura me mu Kyrie // St Martha First Reading Song // The strife is over- CH 190 Gospel/Homily // Rev. Father Ackon Bidding Prayer Song // Sufre No Collection

Songs // Medley of songs Incensation Song // Jerusalem my happy home- CH213 Sanctus // St Martha Doxology

Sign of Peace Agnus Dei // St Martha Communion

Songs // The Lord is my shepherd- CH 106 Sweet Sacrament – CH 217

PART II

Collection

Songs // Medley of Songs Biography // Family Representative Song // Praise to the Holiest – CH 396 Yes, Heaven is the prize – CH 212 Prayer Final Commendation Recession Song // When peace like a river

GRAVE SIDE

Opening Song // How Sweet the name – CH 245 Blessing of Tomb // Rev. Father Bernard Ackon Prayer // Rev. Father Bernard Ackon Song // Give me the wings – CH 311 Interment // Rev. Father Bernard Ackon Laying of Wreath Acknowledgment // Representative of Family Benediction // Rev Father Bernard Ackon Song // Hen Egya Kraest

THANKSGIVING SERVICE Processional

Song // Rejoice the Lord is King CH 260 Introit // Se mobo Jesus dzinara Kyire& Gloria // St Jude First Reading Response // Responsorial Psalm Second Reading Song // Alleluia Gospel // Homily // Rev Father Bernard Ackon Creed // St Jude Bidding Prayer Song // Bisa No Collection Songs // Medley of songs Offertory Procession Songs // Mede aseda, mede ayeyi medaw'ase Incensation Song // Crown Him – CH 249 Sanctus // St Jude Doxology

Sign of Peace Agnus Dei // St. Jude Communion

Songs // Soul of my Saviour – CH 93 Jesus, Jesus, Jesus Jesus, mewuradze me Nyame

LIBERA Song // What a friend – CH 259 Prayer Sprinkling Condolence Song // Okyeso Nyame Recessionalong // Nyame tsease

THE BIOGRAPHY MARGARET AIKINS ABERWATSIA ABA

KORSIMA

Then I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, “Write:‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: Yeah, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”(Revelations 14:13).

Th e l a t e O b a a p a n y i n

Margaret Aikins, whose m o r t a l r e m a i n s l i e before us, was born on 31st March 1927 at Prestea to the late James Abraham Aikins of Nankesidu and the late Anna Aikins (Sarah Quainoo) of Ankaful, all via Saltpond.

The circumstances of her birth were shrouded in mystery beyond comprehension. She was the eighth born of ten c h i l d r e n b y h e r h u m b l e parents, who had become somewhat frustrated after giving birth to seven male children without a female. As a result, her mother, Anna Aikins, was not thrilled with their inability to have a female child and almost lost hope regarding this issue. The mother, a devout Catholic, was ve r y i n s t r u m e nt a l i n t h e establishment of the Catholic Church (now St. Francis Xavier Parish) in Prestea in 1906. The then Dutch Father in charge of Tarkwa / Prestea Diocese encouraged her to keep hope alive and wait on the Lord in faith as He does miracles in his own time. The Dutch father

began praying fervently for her to have a girl child. On one occasion during the prayer session before the altar, water started drizzling mysteriously from nowhere on her and a white dove appeared and p e r c h e d o n h e r h e a d , scratching it with its claws. Not long after that incident, the late Margaret Aikins was conceived. That was how her m o t h e r ' s p r a y e r s w e r e a n s w e r e d a n d t h e l a t e Obaapanyin Margaret Aikins (affectionately called Auntie Maggie) was born, to the amazement and happiness of everyone. The late Maggie thus became a unique, influential and impactful personality in the family of the Aikins as a special gift from God.

She began her elementary schooling at Prestea Catholic School and later transferred to St. Mary's High School at Tram, Cape Coast, where she completed with flying colours in 1944 After school, young Maggie became a clearing agent for her mother, who was then a successful importer of batteries, soap, and Bedford

vehicle parts, among others. The business in Takoradi brought her in contact with buoyant companies like CFAO, UAC, SWANZY, JOHN HOLT BARTOLOMEO, etc. She was in charge of her mother's transaction passbooks in dealing with those multinational companies. After a stint with the mother's business, she left for Tema and established her business dealing in clothes.

By providence, when Kwame Nkrumah came from Europe to the Gold Coast in 1947 after being summoned by the United Gold Coast Convention (U.G.C.C) executives to become their rst General Secretary, the late Margaret Aikins was the rst person Nkrumah contacted after he disembarked from the ship at Takoradi harbour. Nkrumah wanted to know how to get in contact with Paa Grant, the founding member and rst chairperson of the U.G.C.C. coming events, they say cast their shadows. Thus, when Nkrumah broke away from the U G C C to form the Convention People Party (C.P.P.), the late Margaret Aikins

became the rst Women Organizer of the C.P.P. in the Western Region in 1961.

The late Obaapanyin Margaret Aikins was an all-embracing and affable person who brought all and sundry together under one umbrella to live in unison. This attribute underscores why she could bring the fragmented Kona Royal families from Mando, Ampiah-Adjumako, Gomoa Assin, Obo Yambo, Denkyira and Kwaprow together to form a united and formidable force. The utmost welfare of her siblings and all family members was always her heartfelt desire and priority. N o w o n d e r t h e y a p p o i n t e d h e r t h e ABERWATSIA of the Kona Royal Family of Ankaful, Saltpond. As Aberwatsia, she was the custodian of family history, arbitrator, and a person of unity. Throughout her life, the late Obaapanyin Margaret Aikins extended k i n d n e s s , g e n e r o s i t y , d i s c i p l i n e , fellow–feeling, and benevolence to many people who came her way. She was a born visionary leader.

She was blessed with ten children The surviving seven children are DeRoy (Ebo), Hanna (Araba), Francis (Wiabo), JD (Mensah), KK (Kobina), Oscar (Ekow) and Emmanuel (Ko Badu). She is survived by twenty-six (26) grandchildren and thirty ve (35) greatgrandchildren.

Death laid its icy hands on her on 3rd September 2022, calling her peacefully to her maker at the prime age of 95 years. Words cannot describe how the family misses this brilliant and wonderful woman. We, however, take consolation because her amiable soul is resting peacefully in the bosom of the Lord.

Antie Maggie, nantsew yie!.

Aberwatsia Aba Kosima, Demerifa Due!! Obaapanyin, Demerifa Due!!!

TRIBUTE BY

CHILDREN

It is with deep sorrow and consternation

that we, the children of that late Obaapanyin Margaret Aikins pay this glowing tribute to our dear mother. The theme of Prov. 22:6 “Train up the child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it”, was all that Auntie Margie stood for as she never spared the rod so as not to spoil us. She was so a loving and strict disciplinarian. She was a mother who saw that every child of hers abided by the biblical principles to the letter. We are devastated, confused and still struggling to believe that you are no more, though you gracefully passed the ripe age of ninety-ve years.

As your sudden demise hit us so hard, like a great storm, we began asking questions about what might have gone wrong because on that fateful Saturday late morning; you were preparing your lunch. But, like Job, who are we to question God? He loaned you to us and deemed it appropriate to call you home at his appointed time. If we say education is the key, Auntie was the very parent who embraced it to its logical conclusion. She educated every child to the best of his / her natural ability and that explains what we are today. Her discipline instincts made it possible that none of her children went astray or became deviant.

Mum was a sister, mother and grandmother and friend to many and a great gift to the people of Saltpond and its environs. We have always admired her splendid memory. We were blessed to have had this special woman as our mother She worked so hard and could

handle problems that life presented to us. You were a source of inspiration and a guiding spirit to us and many people, and radiated beauty and hope of better future ahead of us. Your constant encouragement and pieces of advice have kept us moving on in life. Your love for us was boundless and your energy matchless Mum, you gave us a sense of belonging; we never thought and wished we had a different mother, but felt condent in your presence and happy around you. Your courage in the face of adversity and your inner strength were truly a blessing to us all. You were the kindest, affable and visionary mother any child could come across on earth. We appreciate the love you showed to each of us, your devotion and determination to keep our family together.

Auntie, you left a legacy of unity and love amongst us and we promise to continue in your steadfast love to one another to the end. We shall forever miss you. You have really lived a life worthy of emulation and paid your dues. What it means by losing you, we the mortals can hardly explicate as we leave it to your maker.

FROM KINGSLEY (KK)

I remember when in my secondary school stage in life (which is now SHS), I decided I would never go to any school anywhere apart from Cape Coast. And again l stated emphatically that at Cape Coast l would attend no Senior High School apart from Mfantsipim. Can you imagine it? It means if they do not meet these two conditions, senior high school education, forget it. I was then having excellent results from my

“Teach us how short our life is so that we may become wise” (Psalm90: 12).

CHILDREN from top left to bottom right Deroy Hannah Francis Joseph Kingsley Oscar Emmanuel

previous school, as I was on top of my class. This made me feel I deserve to go to "Kwabotwe" on the hill.

It was my mom whose mortal remains lie before us, who took me by hand to the Senior house master, the late Mr. Ato Dadze and "cried" to him for my admission so that I would not be a wayward child. And by the grace of God, she succeeded. That's where I successfully completed my "O" Level and "A" Level and went to the university. What a mother?

Finally, I remember the songs my mom sings with me almost every night after our prayers in the night as if it was only yesterday's night. Many of these songs included old Catholic hymns where she taught me the words. For example, "Sweet Sacrament Divine", " Jesus Gentle Saviour " , Soul of my Saviour", "Through Christ the Prince of Peace", " Jesus Wodzin Oyedew", "Courage brother do not stumble " etc. etc. Thank you mom for giving me a godly training, the result of which has made me a Reverend Minister today.

FROM OSCAR

“For your thoughts are not my thoughts neither your ways declared the lord”, Isaiah 55:8. The Lord gave; the Lord has taken away blessed be the name of the Lord". Oh, Auntie Maggie, you knew how vulnerable and coward your own Oscar was when it comes to Somber/Melancholic circumstances like this. Though, the 9th of your 10 offspring, my connection, therapeutic bond with you was comparable to an infant who could hardly be weaned off the mother’s breast milk. My light went out on that fateful cumin famous 3rd September, 2022, when the news of your demise got to me.

As I watch your mortal remains lay before me, my mind cast back to that fateful day of 30th September, 1982, when your brother suggested that having completed my

elementary schooling, I should learn a trade. Being a visionary mother who could discern the bright future that awaited me in academia, you vehemently kicked against that idea and got me enrolled in the register o f fa m o u s M e t h o d i s t H i g h S c h o o l . I co nti n u e d to M fa nts i p i m a n d n a l l y completed 6th form at Ghana National College all in Cape Coast. Eventually, I graduated at the University of Cape Coast, throughout your unwavering effort.

At a point, they sacked me home for school fees of 40 pesewa. It was a whooping sum by then, but again my mother had to sell her precious Kente cloth to salvage that s i t u a t i o n . A t r u e t o h e r v i s i o n a n d expectation, I have now risen to the position of Assistant headteacher in the Ghana Education Service. It was against this background that I had always wanted my mother to live on, irrespective of her advanced age, to continue looking after her because I owe all that I am today to her singlehandedly. Auntie Maggie instilled the biblical instincts in us.

You were the epitome of love, care, and the best mother anybody could wish for. My mother's love for God had a great impact on my life, and I am grateful for that.

Rest well in the bosom of the Lord till we meet again, Maa. Auntie, all your children bid you fare thee well and we hope we shall one day meet in paradise.

With love from:

De Roy, Hanna, Francis, J.D, Kinsley, Oscar and Emmanuel Damirifa Due! Maame, nantew yie!!

IN-LAWS

Aunty, or Aunty Maggie, is what we

called her. She welcomed us into her home and showed us so much love.

In April, 2022 you celebrated your 95th birthday, though with few health issues, we could see you with a lot of smiles at the birthday party. You sat throughout the period with family, friends, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Our mother-in-law had seven boys and had seven daughter in-laws (one deceased).

She accepted all of us in her home from different ethnic groups and took us as hers. We can never thank you enough for accepting us. You have done your part, and you have been called to eternal rest in the Lord's bosom at the ripe old age of ninety-ve, when your strength waned. We believe and know that God is sovereign over all things and knows why He has called you back home. We salute you together with our children and grandchildren.

Aunty, we could picture you singing with all your heart one of your favorite hymns: Praise to the Holiest in the height, And in the depth be praise: In all His words most wonderful; Most sure in all His ways.

From Angela, Emma, Agartha, Irene, Ruth and Evelyn, we say; rest well, Aunty Maggie, in the bosom of our Lord Jesus. Amen.

TRIBUTE FROM EVELYN (CANADA)

Auntie, as I affectionately called her, loved me as one of her children. The relationship between us was deep and therefore I found it easier to talk to her for advice. Since we are far away from home, she always asked when we talked when she will get the chance to see her grandkids.

Lo-and-behold, the opportunity nally came in 2017 for all of us to go home to see her face to face. It thrilled her to see Maame Esserba (Tryphena) and Papa Korsah (Kaleb). We made many memories during that time.

I will forever salute you Auntie, because God gave me the best mom in-law who taught me never to give up, but always trust in God. I will always remember the support she gave me and Ko whenever the need arose. Death can never take away the memories of you. May the Lord keep you until we meet again. Nyame mfa wo nsie yie Auntie!!!

“Death takes the body. God takes the soul. Our minds hold the memories and our hearts keep the love”.

IN-LAWS FROM TOP LEFT TO BOTTOM LEFT Angela Emma Agartha Irene Ruth Evelyn

IN-LA WS

It was a joyous occasion when we joined

in the celebration of your ninety fth (95th) birthday at Saltpond in May 2022 in the company of our parents, family members and many well-wishers. It came as an enormous shock to hear of the sudden death of our dear grandmother on Saturday, 3rd September 2022, while she was preparing lunch. This has brought us to ponder what Job says in Job 2:10 “… Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?...”.

The demise of our dear grandmother deeply troubled us. However, we take consolation again in what Job says in Job 1:20 that “… The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may we praise the name of the Lord”.

To us as your grandchildren, you were a grandma par excellent, always supporting us in prayers. Whenever the opportunity arose and we met you one- on- one, you always advised us to be mindful of the deceptive things of the world and avoid them, while making the Bible our moral compass.

We shall remember you always and your memory will bring refreshment to our hearts and strengthen us in times of trouble.

Grandma, your grandchildren, and on behalf of your great grandchildren, say: rest in perfect peace. At the close of the age, after the trumpets have sounded, we shall meet again in heaven.

Our

grandmother was the grandmum anyone could dream of. She was loving, God fearing, kindhearted, and funny. Even though we are far away from her, whenever we got the chance to talk to her, she made us laugh and advised us to study hard and follow God.

We met her nally in Ghana in 2017. She was so fun to be

around and told us a lot of stories about our dad we didn't know before. We made a lot of memories with her in that short period.

Unfortunately, we didn't know our goodbye was the nal one to her.

We pray you will rest in peace until we meet again!

Grandma, da yie. Nyame mfa wo nsie yie!!!

TRIBUTE BY FAMILY

The late Aberewatsea Margaret Aikins (born Aba Korsima) was the eighth child of Mr James Aikins of Nankesidu and Anna Aikins of Ankaful. She was born on 31st March 1927, at Prestea. As the only female child, out of ten children, Aba Korsima had a special place in the Aikins family

Her mother belonged to the Royal Kona family of Ankaful, a coastal shing settlement near Saltpond. During the pre-independence inter-tribal wars of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, offshoots of the family were established. At places such as Gomoa Assin, AmpeaAdjumaku, Mando, Kwaprow, Abo Yambo and Denkyira through intermarriages, hunting, sh mongering and practice of traditional medicine.

Her late brother, Master Aikins (then Tufuhen of Ankaful), and his team of family members made sure that the Ntsiful Kona families at the places mentioned above and beyond were brought together with great success. To solidify this unity and for other traditional reasons, Aba Korsima was given the traditional title ABERWATSIA in 1994. She held the position of Aberwatsia with distinction until her sudden death on 3rd September 2022.

Abusuapanyin Graham, Nana Ntsiful V, Leaders of the Four Gates and the entire Royal Kona family of Ankaful and beyond will surely miss you dearly

Aba Korsima, Demerefa Due!

Aberwatsea Aba Korsima, Demerifua !!

BY OBAAHEMA NANA EKU II (ANKAFUL)

“O

I was privileged to have the Ntsiful Kona Royal family to confer the title of Queen Mother on me together with Aberwatsia Aba Korsima A.K.A Madam Margaret Aikins in 1994.

The two of us worked closely, tirelessly and consciously together, to uplift the image of our dear precious Ankaful, a shing town founded by our ancestor Nana Kwame Ntsiful I. Whilst working together, I found her to be a woman of principle, dependable, caring, a unier and above all generous and content.

Oh; Auntie Aba, how can I go about my normal duties at Ankaful, Nankesedo, Mando and the rest without you. I will miss you dearly.

The Ntsiful Kona Royal Families all over the country appreciate your good works and thank you very much for the legacy that will prepare us to face the future.

Auntie Maggie jealously kept her catholic faith till age set in and could not take part in church activities any longer With gratitude to God for her life and services, we identify with the Holy Book of Job 1-21.

“The Lord gave the Lord had taken away, Blessed is the name of the Lord”. Aberwatsia Aba Korsima rest in Perfect Peace. Amen.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.”

TRIBUTE

And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!

Revelation 15:3

190. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!.

1. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! The strife is o'er, the battle done, the victory of life is won; the song of triumph has begun. Alleluia!

2. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! On the third morn, he rose again, Glorious in majesty to reign, O let us swell the joyful strain, Alleluia

3. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

O risen Lord, all praise to you, Who from our sin has set us free, That we may live eternally, Alleluia!

213. Jerusalem, My Happy Home.

1. Jerusalem, my happy home, When shall I come to you? When shall my sorrows have an end? Your joys when shall I see?

2. O happy harbour of the saints! O sweet and pleasure soil!

In you no sorrow may be found, No grief, no care, no toil.

3. In you no sickness may be seen, No hurt, no ache, no sore; In you there is no dread of death, But life for evermore.

4. No dampish mist is seen in you, No cold nor darksome night; There every soul shines as the sun; There God himself gives light.

106. The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want.

1. The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want. He makes me down to lie In pastures green; he leadeth me the quiet waters by.

2. My Spirit he restores again; My life he does reclaim, He guides me into righteousness, To glorify his name.

3. Although I walk in death's dark vale, Yet will I fear no ill; For you are with me; and your rod And staff my comfort still.

4. My table you have well prepared, In presence of my foes; My head you do with oil anoint, And my cup overflows.

217. Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Come.

1. Come, Holy Ghost, Creator, come, From your bright heav'nly throne, Come take possession of our souls, And make them all your own.

2. You who art called the Paraclete, Best gift of God above, The living spring, the living re, Sweet unction and true love.

3. You who art sevenfold in your grace, Finger of God's right hand His promise teaching little ones To speak and understand.

4. O guide our minds with thy blessed light, With love our hearts inflame; And with thy strength, which never decays Conrm our mortal frame.

247. Sweet Sacrament Divine.

1. Sweet Sacrament divine, Hid in your earthly home; Lo! round your lowly shrine, With suppliant hearts we come; Jesus, to you our voice we raise In songs of love and heartfelt praise Sweet Sacrament divine (2x)

2. Sweet Sacrament of peace, Dear home of every heart, Where restless yearnings cease,

And sorrows all depart. There in your ear, all trustfully, We tell our tale of misery, Sweet Sacrament of peace.(2x)

3. Sweet Sacrament of rest, Ark from the ocean's roar, Within your shelter blest Soon may we reach the shore; Save us, for still the tempest raves, Save, lest we sink beneath the waves: Sweet Sacrament of rest. (2x)

4. Sweet Sacrament divine, Earth's light and jubilee, In your far depths do shine Your Godhead's majesty; Sweet light, so shine on us, we pray That earthly joys may fade away: Sweet Sacrament divine. (2x)

396. Praise To The Holiest In The Height.

1. Praise to the Holiest in the height, And in the depth be praise; In all His words most wonderful, Most sure in all His ways.

2. O loving wisdom of our God! When all was sin and shame, A second Adam to the ght And to the rescue came.

3. O wisest love! that flesh and blood, Which did in Adam fail, Should strive afresh against the foe, Should strive and should prevail.

4. And that a higher gift than grace Should flesh and blood rene, God's Presence and His very Self, And Essence all divine.

311. Give Me Wings Of Faith To Rise

1. Give me the wings of faith to rise Within the veil, and see The saints above, how great their joys, How bright their glories be.

2. Once they were mourning here below, And wet their couch with tears; They wrestled hard, as we do now, With sins, and doubts, and fears.

3. I ask them whence their victory; They, with united breath, Ascribe their conquest to the Lamb, Their triumph to His death.

4. They marked the footsteps that He trod, His zeal inspired their breast; And following their incarnate God, Possess the promised rest.

260. Rejoice! The Lord Is King!

1. Rejoice! The Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore; Mortals, give thanks and sing, And triumph evermore: Refrain: Lift up your heart, Lift up your voice; Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.

2. Jesus the Saviour reigns, The God of truth and love; When he had purged our stains, He took his seat above:

3. His Kingdom cannot fail; He rules o'er earth and heaven; The keys of death and hell Are to our Jesus given:

4. He sits at God's right hand, Till all his foes submit, And bow to his command, And fall beneath his feet.

Crown Him with Many Crowns

Crown him with many crowns, The Lamb upon his throne; Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns All music but its own: Awake, my soul, and sing Of him who died for thee, And hail him as thy matchless king

Through all eternity.

2. Crown him the Virgin's Son! The God Incarnate born,-Whose arm those crimson trophies won Which now his brow adorn!

Fruit of the mystic Rose As of that Rose the Stem: The Root, whence mercy ever flows,-The Babe of Bethlehem!

3. Crown him the Lord of love! Behold his hands and side,-Rich wounds, yet visible above, In beauty gloried: No angel in the sky Can fully bear that sight, But downward bends his burning eye At mysteries so bright!

259. What A Friend We Have In Jesus.

1. What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and grief to bear!

What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!

2. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged, Take it to the Lord in prayer Can we nd a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness, Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3. Are we weak and heavy-laden, Cumbered with a load of care?

Jesus only is our refuge Take it to the Lord in prayer; Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer; In His arms He'll take and shield you, You will nd a solace there.