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| | All Souls' Day Service Held |    | | |  The University of Ghana has organised the 2010 All Souls’ Day Service, an Inter-denominational service at which 47 members of the University Community who passed away during the 2009/2010 academic year, were remembered.
The departed comprised 4 Alumni and Friends of the University, 5 Senior Members, 10 Senior and 10 Junior Staff, and 18 Junior Members or Students. Notable among them were Dr. John Kobina Richardson, former Chairman of the University Council, Mr. Kwesi Essel-Koomson, former President of the Commonwealth Hall Old Vandals Association, Prof. John K. Nsarkoh of the University of Ghana Business School, Prof. William Anku, Director of the School of Performing Arts, and Mr. E. K. Edzii, a former Registrar of the University.
The Archbishop and Primate of the Church of the Province of West Africa and Anglican Bishop of Accra, His Grace Rt. Rev. Dr. Justice Yaw Ofei Akrofi preached the sermon.
In attendance at the Sunday Service was the Chairman of the University Council, His Lordship Justice Dr. S. K. Date-Bah, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, who read the first lesson from Gen. 35: 16 – 21, as well as the Registrar, Mr. Joseph M. Budu, who read the second scripture from Matthew 10: 26 – 30.
Delivering the Sermon, Rt. Rev. Dr. Akrofi, inferring from the scriptures as well as the writings of the anthropologist, Arnold van Gennep, said birth and death are necessary steps of the human cycle. He noted that the moment humans are born, they “begin a study march to death”. He therefore exhorted human beings not to fear death, since, “it is a natural stage of all lives”.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Akrofi noted that whereas in biblical anthropology, the human being is a composite of flesh (body), soul and spirit, death marks the end of only the human flesh. Therefore, human existence should be reviewed “in the light of whether they responded to the more than fleshly part of the human being”. Quoting from the Book of Ecclesiastis 44: 9 – 14, he stated, that the names and virtues of godly men are never forgotten. He advised, “Let us live our lives purposefully, doing things that are human and would, therefore, please the Lord, our Creator”.
Archbishop Akrofi called on all to invite Jesus Christ into their lives, and exhorted the bereaved families, in spite of their grief, to “leave their dear ones in the hands of God”.
Rev. Dr. S. Asuming-Brempong, Chairman of the Chaplaincy Board of the University who co-officiated the Service, led the congregation to observe a “minute’s silence” in honour of the departed.
The President of the University Christian Fellowship, Mr. Richard Donkor, led in intercessory prayers for the deceased and protection and long life for the bereaved families and the entire congregation.
Mr. Kofi Ahenkorah, an elder from the family of Dr. J. K. Richardson, speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, said in line with the belief that “those who die in Christ live and could be reborn in society”, it was necessary to give the departed ones an honourable farewell. Wherein the significance of All Souls’ Day.
The past Master of Akuafo Hall, Rev. Dr. W. S. K. Gbewonyo, and former Head of the Dance Department of the University, Mr. S. A. Newman, also offered prayers, whilst the University of Ghana Jubilee Choir, directed by Mr. T. E. Andoh, provided music at the Service.
The Acting Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Stella Amoa, was the Master of Ceremony for the Service. | | | | Date Published: 01/12/2010 | | | |   |
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