The late Kofi Blay, father of Judith Adjobah Blay, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana National Gas Company, was laid to rest on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Esiama in the Ellembelle District.

Professor Kofi Blay passed away on Monday, March 9, 2026, after a short illness at the age of 86.

He is survived by his wife, Rosemond Blay, and two daughters: Judith Adjobah Blay and Yaba Blay, a lecturer in African Studies.

His burial service was held at Star of the Sea Cathedral. The final funeral rites took place at the Takoradi Sports Club, followed by a thanksgiving service at Star of the Sea Cathedral on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

Professor Blay was a devoted Christian and a member of the Roman Catholic Church. During his lifetime, he was known for his dedication to education, community service, and faith. Family, friends, and well-wishers from across Ghana and beyond gathered to pay their last respects.

Paying tribute to her father, Judith Adjobah Blay described him as a brilliant man.

“He was a man of brilliant mind and strong conviction, full of life, full of light, and full of lessons. He was gifted with a charm and a smile that drew people to him. He was deeply admired, respected, and loved. He will not be forgotten.”

The Member of Parliament for Ellembelle Constituency, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, described Professor Blay as a true Ghanaian who rendered distinguished service to the nation.

He urged the youth of Ellembelle to emulate the life and example of the late professor.

The burial and funeral rites attracted several high-profile personalities from government, industry, and traditional leadership, who gathered at Star of the Sea Cathedral to pay their final respects.

Among them were Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, former Attorney General and Minister for Justice and current Legal Advisor to John Dramani Mahama; John Abdulai Jinapor; and Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah. Also present were former Ghana Gas CEOs Sipa Yankey and Ben K. D. Asante, Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, and Helga Boadi.

Others in attendance included Andrew Asiamah Amoako; Freddie Blay, former Member of Parliament for Ellembelle; Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui; Kofi Arko Nokoe; Blay Nyameke Armah; Andrew Egyapa Mercer; and Nana Kojo Toku. Chiefs and queen mothers from the Western Region were also in attendance, along with other dignitaries.

Short Profile of Professor Kofi Blay

Professor Kofi Blay was born in Esiama, Ellembelle District, in the Western Region, on March 16, 1940.

He received his primary education in Benin and his secondary education at St. John's School.

He earned a bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Ghana and later obtained a doctorate in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Professor Blay devoted more than four decades to teaching in the United States, where he served as a lecturer from 1970 to 2014.

He was an active member of both St. Claver Catholic Church and Star of the Sea Cathedral in Takoradi, where he served as a youth patron.