Retrospect: Notable deaths that shook Ghana in 2014

2014 began with a blow to Ghanaians when young and thriving BBC broadcast journalist, Komla Dumor drew his last breath in London after suffering a cardiac arrest. He died at the age of 41.

Despite the theories surrounding his death, journalists were advised to relinquish stress and live healthy lives.

Prof. Marian Ewurama Addy, the popular host of the Science and Maths quiz died from a short illness.

Prof. Addy was the first woman professor of Science from the University of Ghana. She was also a resource person for science education programmes in the country. She died at age 72.

Fennec Okyere, who was the manager of controversial musician, Kwaw Kese, followed suit in March after he was killed by unknown assailants at his Manet Gardens residence on the Spintex Road, Accra. He died at age 31.

Investigation to unravel the mystery surrounding his death is still on-going.

Kumawood comic actor popularly known as Jambo died of Hepatitis B in March.

Musician Peter Aryee aka Araz was shot dead at his Weija residence in March.

Academia was also struck by the death of former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere. He died while on an FAO mission abroad. He died at age 67.

The country threaded slowly till May when a Senior Presidential Adviser and chairman of the National Development Planning Commission died. Paul Victor Obeng died at the Lekma Hospital after he reportedly collapsed at the Agape Filling Station at Spintex Road.

Roland Issifu Alhassan, a founding father of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Northern Region and former Ghana’s Ambassador to Germany during President Kufuor’s administration died at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra after a short illness.

The late Roland R.I Alhassan was running mate to late Professor Adu Boahene in 1992. He was the first person from Northern Ghana to be called to the Bar and become a lawyer. He died at the age of 81.

Ms Irene Nana Aba Kpayaaafo Asante, a presenter with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) died in May at the 37 Military Hospital after a short illness. She died at 42 years.

He died immediately after his major contribution in the organisation of the National Economic Forum. He also died at age 67.

Renowned fashion designer Kofi Ansah died in May at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. He was 62.

Later in June, the religious community had their share of loss when the death of the Presiding Bishop of the Christian Praise Int. Centre, Apostle Dr. Augustine Annor-Yeboah, was announced.

He was the former Acting Chairman of the Christ Apostolic Church till he broke away. He passed on at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital at age 64.

Mrs Gladys Asmah, a former Minister in the Kufuor administration also died at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in June after being on admission at the hospital for about two weeks.

Relatives attributed her death to old age and its associated sickness. She died at age 78.

One of Ghana’s peace icons who is notable for wearing white attire also succumbed to death in June this year. The Ameer and Missionary in charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana, Maulvi Dr Wahab A. Adam died at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra after a protracted battle with ill health. He died aged 76.

July began with a controversial disappearance of Hiplife artiste, Theophilus Tagoe, aka Castro who is widely believed to have died of drowning after his ski boat capsized in a heavy surf with a lady aboard. He disappeared at the age of 32 years.

Prof. Alexander Kwapong, the first Ghanaian Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, died in Accra on August 9, 2014.

Rev Kusi Berko, a gospel musician died of diabetes in August at Pramso, near Kumasi. The musician who suffered from stroke for about six years, took to the podium of the Perez Chapel in 2013 and told his audience that his faith in God has kept him alive.

Renowned lawyer and prominent member of the Ghana Bar Association, Ekow Awoonor died in August of post-surgery complications while in a U.S hospital.

He was a consultant and resource person to the Ghana Stock Exchange for its training programme for brokers and investment advisors and also a director of SSB Bank Limited for several years before it became SG-SSB Bank. He died at 70.

Popular actor, Richard Kwame Agyeman, known as Odompo in the famous Akan drama series, died after a short illness in October at his home. He was 60.

Last but not least is the demise of incarcerated CEO of the Exopa Modeling Agency, Ibrahim Sima who died in December after complaining of chest pains at the Nsawam Prisons.

Autopsy reports revealed that he died from acute appendicitis. The report also indicated that Purulent Peritonitis most likely contributed to his death.

Ibrahim Sima was arrested on September 7, 2009 at the Kotoka International Airport when a luggage search revealed tubers of yam embedded with narcotic substances.