Ghanaians In Chicago Mourn Francis Oduro Jr.

A funeral marks the close of a human life on earth. It is the opportunity for friends and family to express their grief and to give thanks for the life which has now completed its journey in this world but these feelings are often the most difficult to put into words. Such was the feeling and difficulty for members of the Ghanaian Community here when they gathered to celebrate the short life of Francis Oduro Jr., who was tragically killed on May 21 2008. The “Mayor” Mr. Baofo Papafio, Chicago’s ace emcee, rightly summarized the feelings of most attendees when he said that “ There is no divine explanation to this, only God knows the answer to Francis’s death”

A four month old Ghanaian immigrant, Mr. George Kwansah, who is horrified by the violence in the news and excessive gunplay in Chicago expressed his disappointment on coming to America when he stated “ deaths like this makes one feel he has jumped from the frying pan into the fire!”

Attendance was huge, it was a sight not seen recently in Chicago. The 83rd and Ellis Community Center was heavily “packed” with the youth, who are most often not seen in such numbers at funeral celebrations. The older generation of immigrant Ghanaian’s as usual were there in their numbers to support the Oduro family.

The Ghana Youth Association and the NPP-North America, Chicago chapter, were among the few Ghanaian groups which presented donations to the family as a group.

The Asantemantefuohemaa of Chicago, Nanahemaa Abena Amponsah performed a spectacular Kete dance to grace the occasion.

Francis Oduro, was shot and killed Wednesday May 21, 2008 near Truman College in the Uptown neighborhood in Chicago.

The report quoting reliable sources say Oduro migrated from Ghana to the USA just over a year ago.

According to the report Police reports indicate that Oduro may have been an "innocent bystander,'' after an attack that critically wounded another man.

The Belmont Area Police detectives are investigating the shootings, no suspects have yet been charged in the killing of the young ambitious Ghanaian student.

Meanwhile, GHP learnt that the Oduro family is planning to send the remains of Francis Oduro Jr. to Ghana for interment.