situation to be contained soon. However, my surprise was palpable when, many years later in 1984, our work was abruptly interrupted. Going outside to witness the situation for myself, I realised that the entire farm was surrounded by revolution guards. The soldiers arrived at night, and the unbelievable happened—they took me roughly, handcuffed me, and transported me to the barracks for questioning. I, an entrepreneur, was treated like a common thief. The long and short of it was that the farm was forcibly closed down. Before my very eyes, all my investments went down the drain as the soldiers auctioned off all my properties at low prices. I felt profoundly shattered and broken. Very broken. The downfall of a man is not the end of his life For months, I brooded over my predicament, feeling lost and much like a failure. During this challenging period, my wife, who had completed her nursing training in Korle-Bu, was in London pursuing studies to become a midwife. It felt as though there was no shoulder to cry on, and everything seemed bleak. The realisation that I had made sacrifices for the country added to the weight of my struggles. Each morning, I would wake up and find myself just staring into space, uncertain about how to piece together the fragments of my broken life. Days turned into weeks, and in this haze, I eventually snapped out of it. With a renewed sense of determination, I decided to utilise my Chartered Accountant certificate. I relocated to Tema and embarked on offering consultancy accounting services for private companies. The goal was clear - to ensure there was good food on the table for my children, provide them with quality clothing, a comfortable place to lay their heads, and access to a good education. This marked the beginning of my journey towards rebuilding and providing for my family despite the setbacks. Standing tall again I never regained my initial status, but I worked hard all the same, offering my services to companies. It wasn’t particularly exceptional, but it put food on the table, put a roof over our heads, and catered for the children’s education. Besides, Vivian also supplemented my salary with hers; she was such a blessing. This is what I did until I went on retirement. Growing up in the Catholic faith, I served as a mass server during my boyhood. As I grew older, I found solace and grounding in attending morning Mass, setting a positive tone for my workday. My faith became a comforting companion during challenging times, offering strength through prayer and the teachings of the Church. The rituals and traditions provided a sense of stability, guiding me through life’s highs and lows. Hobbies and Passions During my younger days, I had a deep passion for football. I was even part of my secondary school’s football team and considered myself an excellent player. I also enjoyed hosting occasional parties back in the days at the Ghana Timbers. I would invite friends over for grilled chicken and beer – I must say, I have a soft spot for my club beer. Decorating the Christmas tree and placing gifts under it for the children was another joy of mine during the festive season. Though I’ve slowed down now that I’m older, I still continue this tradition for my grandchildren. Despite the ongoing difficulties, I recognized the responsibility I had toward my children. I couldn’t let them down. 25 The Birthday Journal
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