Large crowd bids farewell to Dr. KONADU in Akon, Ohio

Sunday September 02, 2007. A large crowd of Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians thronged University of Akron Student Union Building Center to bid farewell to the Late Dr. Konadu Agyeman who died July 27, 2007 after a long gruesome battle with cancer. In the crowd were a strong contingent of Ghanaian Adventist pastors from Andrews University and CORCOM churches, various church choirs and singing groups, representatives from all the North American Ghanaian churches, University of Akron faculty and students and Dr Konadu's classmates from Bekwai SDA Secondary School and University of Science and Technology and people from all walk of life.

As early as 8 am mourners began arriving at the big hall clad in their traditional Ghanaian kobene and Kuntunkunu outfit and others in black suit. After filling the venue with somber funeral dirges, the service began at 9:45 am with Dr Konadu's favorite hymn, "I Saw One Weary". After Dr Daniel Dapaah has read a lenghty bio data of the deceased, befitting tributes were paid by CORCOM chair, Pastor E.K. Affum, Greater Cleveland Ghanaian SDA Church Head Elder Dr Osei Tutu, University of Akron's sociologist Dr Baffour K. Takyi, Association of American Geographers representative, Dr Calvin Masilela and the widow, Tina and her children. All the tributes spoke volumes of the illustrious and unselfish life of Dr Konadu as a great father, husband, prolific author, lecturer, and church leader whose departure has left a big gap that that will not be replaced easily.

Delivering a short eulogy, Dr Kwabena Donkor from BRI in Maryland described Dr Konadu as a true friend and classmate whose socio-philanthropic life and academic prowess goes back to their student days in Ghana. He consoled the family and all the mourners not to give up faith in God but to quickly come to terms that "...Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruit of those who have fallen asleep." Thereafter mourners filed past the remains of Dr. Konadu paying their respect to such an accomplished Ghanaian scholar. In an interview with Dr D.K. Amponsah from Troy, Alabama, he described Dr Konadu as "one who deserve such respect from Ghanaians in the Diaspora." Dr Kofi Adade Boafo from Loma Linda, Dr Edwin Mensah from North Carolina State University, Dr Paul Yeboah and several lay church leaders and CORCOM pastors who attended the function praised the spirit of brotherhood of CORCOM church members and leadership that has made all of us "our brothers keeper" as evidenced in the way all the churches came to the aid of Greater Cleveland Ghanaian SDA Church to offer financial and moral support.

On behalf of all the North American Ghanaian SDA Churches, the Treasurer and President of CORCOM made a financial contribution of $15,000.00 to the Greater Cleveland Ghanaian SDA Church and $5,000.00 to the widow, Tina Konadu to help with the expenses as per CORCOM funeral policy. By evening time the celebration of Dr Konadu's life came to end and all the churches made their way back home fully satisfied that someday we shall see Dr Konadu again when we "shall gather at the river where bright angels feet have trod"