A grand funeral for ‘The Grandmaster’
Kofi Yeboah Writes,
AT the funeral of ‘The Grandmaster’, there were no food or ‘takeaways’ served but that did not leave mourners hungry and angry because there were plenty takeaways and food for thought that left them really satisfied.
The funeral was very simple – no elaborations;
no tributes, and nothing grandeur, all in keeping to the wishes of The Grandmaster,
Godwin Rosevelt Avenorgbo.
The renowned broadcaster believed in
simplicity – of life and events – so his family kept the funeral as such.
He was time conscious and punctual (I bear
testimony of this attribute having worked closely with him) and his funeral started
and ended within schedule as indicated in the funeral programme.
There was no ‘funeral cloth’ because in
his lifetime, he detested that practice, calling it waste of money for the dead
when the living need such resources for survival.
There were no tributes because he believed
tributes usually don’t bear sincere testimonies about the dead, and that if you
have nice things to say about somebody, do so when the person is alive.
And he insisted: if you don’t celebrate
him when he is alive, it would be too late to do so when he is late. Keep that
tribute to yourself.
According to a family spokesperson, 22
hours before the funeral on Saturday, September 14, 2024, when the family went
to the Lashibi Funeral Home to prepare for his last public appearance, they sobbed
and wept at his sight, but a smile they saw on his face wiped away their tears.
Likewise, many mourners who filed pass his
body lying in state for 53 minutes sobbed and wept, but given what they
witnessed at the service, their tears were wiped, knowing that their friend and
colleague responded well to his professional calling.
The Melcom show
After his public service at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Godwin Avenorgbo spent 13 years working with the Melcom Group of Companies as the Group Corporate Affairs Director.
Melcom is a household name, and there is
probably no household item one may not find in the company’s showrooms across
the country.
However, on Saturday, Melcom brought their
showroom to the Lashibi Funeral Home to introduce two new items to honour The
Grandmaster.
The company announced the institution of a
scholarship scheme and sponsorship of a GJA Media Awards category in his
memory.
The announcement drew spontaneous applause
from the audience.
And the spontaneous applause drew a smile from
me but I was careful not to show my teeth because ‘Big G’ abhorred the showing
of teeth when smiling.
I knew ‘Big G’ would also smile at the
applause because it was spontaneous and not solicited; he believed applause,
standing ovation and other similar acknowledgements are spontaneous reactions
from an audience.
It’s a grievous professional sin for an
Emcee or Master of Ceremony to demand or command or order or direct an audience
to pay such homage, according to him.
A funeral rally
Not many people noticed the presence of Nana Kwame Bediako but when the flagbearer of the New Force was introduced at the service and Cheddar rose in acknowledgement, the loud cheers that greeted him had the flavour of a political rally atmosphere.
The name of Ibrahim Mahama (a businessman
who is sometimes better known in politics than business) always draws thoughts
of his brother, the politician.
And when Ibrahim Mahama was introduced, the
thoughts of former President John Mahama drew nigh.
The name of the current president, Nana
Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, also reverberated in the minds of mourners when Nana
Asante Bediatuo, the Executive Secretary to the President, was introduced.
Indeed, the presence of the Ambassador-at-Large
who could have been in Gaza or Ukraine performing an official duty, could not
be less appreciated.
Among the large army of mourners who thronged
the Lashibi Funeral Home, the presence of 88-year-old broadcaster Mike Eghan to
pay his last respects to his 78-year-old mentee was quite sobering.
The attendance of three former presidents
of the GJA – Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, Ajoa Yeboah-Afari and Nana Kwaku Dei
(Ransford Tetteh), as well as the current president, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour
and a former General Secretary, Bright Blewu, was ample testimony that the GJA
appreciates the selfless and dedicated services Godwin Avenorgbo rendered for the
Association.
As the casket carrying his mortal remains
was closed and carried away by the pallbearers, reality dawned on all that ‘Big
G’ is gone forever.
But the words on the lips of mourners, as
they trooped out of the church auditorium, were clear indication that posterity
will forever remember Godwin Rosevelt Avenorgbo, The Grandmaster.
Kindly share your thoughts and read other articles on this blog
Writer's
Email: kofiyebo@yahoo.com
Beautiful write up, Sir.
ReplyDeleteThe grandmaster's never to be forgotten funeral😊
I’m glad I attended thanks to you.
Master-piece. Thank you, General.
DeleteExquisite write ✍️up by my mentor
ReplyDeleteYes, this is News Writing excellence. Thank you, Kofi.
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised this beautiful write up came from you. Good job G.S.
ReplyDeleteGreat
ReplyDeleteIndeed this is a good write up from a professional. Good job
Awesome!
ReplyDeleteFare thee well Uncle Godwin!!!How can I forget that last 'lesson' you taught me among others, 3-4 days before your sad demise...'not to show the teeth when smiling or posing for a photograph'. Thank you for the touching succinct story, Senior EKY, aka AMBIDEXTEROUS
ReplyDeleteGordon Avernogbo, exuded hardwork, dignity and unwaivering professional excellence, in his broadcasting career. He was a symbol of inspiration to some of us, who worked with him at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great piece🙏
ReplyDeleteKofi you have a powerful pen. I always enjoy reading your piece. I was there and i see everything perfectly captured here.
ReplyDelete