Man Dies Singing Hallelujah

... During church service

For the 32 years that 58-year-old driver, Matthew Tieku, alias Kofi Asamoah, worshipped with the Larterbiokoshie branch Number Two of the Apostolic Church, Ghana, his only wish was that he should die with dignity and find solace in Heaven.

And true to his divine aspiration, Asamoah died gracefully on Sunday, June 17, in church, while glorifying God and singing Hallelujah.

According to Nana Aba, a younger sister of Asamoah, her elder brother, who plied between Kaneshie and Ajumako, complained of some unusual pains in his chest three days before his death. However, according to Nana Aba, this did not confine Asamoah to bed and he was able to move about and do things by himself.

She said Asamoah even went out with friends to watch a colts football match the Saturday before his death and was able to iron his clothes and left for church that fateful Sunday.

Nana Aba said reports reaching the family revealed that his brother who was also the drummer was active in church especially during the morning Bible discussion session that preceded the normal worship.

She said during testimony time, Asamoah, well known for being the last person to give testimony if he had any, strangely got up to give his testimony before all others.

According to Nana Aba, Asamoah glorified God and thanked Him for making him recover from his short illness. She said after the testimony, her brother started singing praises in honour of the Almighty God. “But while singing, he knelt down and the church members looked on in awe, wondering what had come over Kofi Asamoah.”

Nana Aba said no sooner had Asamoah knelt down, than he tumbled backwards and collapsed. Church members who went to his rescue rushed him to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hos-pital where he was pronounced dead.

When The Mirror visited the residence of Asamoah at Larterbiokoshie, a suburb of Accra, his widow, Madam Beatrice Amankwah, said they had been married for the past 30 years with four children. She said she was away at Abetifi-Kwahu for a funeral when the sad incident occurred.

She said before she left for Abetifi, her husband was not seriously ill and she was therefore surprised he died of such a minor illness.

The Presiding Elder of the Church, Elder Eric Tetteh, told The Mirror that Asamoah’s death is a big loss to the members.

He said he was a staunch church member and was very active in its activities.

At Korle-Bu, the District Police Commander, DSP Helena Cobbina, confirmed the death and said a report was made to the Korle-Bu Police for a coroner’s inquest.

She said a report was made by one Mr William Tieku of Odorkor, another suburb of Accra, who is said to be the younger brother of Asamoah.

Burial for the late Asamoah has been scheduled for July 28 at Enyan Abaasa in the Central Region.