I’ve always called her my older sister by thirteen years, Mrs. Asante — probably the only one among our siblings who still does. When we were kids, we didn’t grow up in the same house. The older siblings lived in our father’s house at Fante NewTown, while I stayed with our parents after they moved to “Studium,” Amakom. The first time she visited me in Canada, I had just bought a house in a new neighbourhood — only a few homes were finished. One evening, as we watched builders working behind my house, she said, “Look at how these Canadians work.” Then she laughed and added, “If it were a Ghanaian carpenter, he’d start singing on the roof, stop to chat, disappear for two weeks, and still not finish!” That’s my sister —witty, observant, and always pushing for hard work. She knows how to handle contractors and building projects. She was married to a university lecturer — a kind and intelligent man who treated me warmly. They had a wonderful life together, and when he fell ill, she cared for himwith devotion and faith, never dwelling on sadness. That quiet strength has always inspired me. After her husband passed, she managed incredibly well with the young children. Though the house wasn’t fully finished, her husband had left materials and some savings, and she made sure the home was completed before the university reclaimed their residence. I remember her working closely with contractors — providing materials, befriending workers, and convincing them to help after hours. That’s her nature: strong, determined, and resourceful. Even in tough times, she never showed it. She’s fearless and outspoken. If something isn’t done right, she’ll say it. When her husband died, even though tradition forbade widows from visiting the mortuary, she went early one morning to make sure everything was handled properly, saying, “I’m not a coward; I’m a widow.” She even helped post the funeral posters herself. She likes things done properly and quickly —never the “I’ll come tomorrow” type. I remember a friend visiting from the UK, worried about land documents stuck at the Lands Department. She was meant to travel the next day, and staff were giving her the runaround. Mrs. Asante told her not to worry, took her there the next morning, and by the end of the day, the problemwas solved. That’s her —warm, bold, and effective. I’m especially grateful for how she looked after me when I was in Ghana before joining my husband abroad. If she hadn’t seen me in a while, she’d walk from the university campus to Ahinase Estate early in the morning — just to check on me. There were no mobile phones then, but she always found a way to reach me, saying, “I haven’t seen you in a while; I just came to check on you.” She is deeply caring and thoughtful. When I was pregnant with my second child, I hadn’t told anyone because of previous miscarriages. My sister came to the States to visit Chief and kept asking why I wasn’t working, gently pressing until I told her I was eight months pregnant. She was thrilled and insisted on visiting me in Canada. She cooked for me, went shopping with me, and kept me laughing. Chief teased that she was only cooking to make me happy before leaving, so I shouldn’t get used to it. But that’s just her way of showing love. What inspires me most about her is her calm spirit. She doesn’t let worries weigh her down and is always ready to help others. Among our siblings, she has always been the glue. Our late father often hosted Easter gatherings, and she would take charge — organising food, cooking, and calling herself the Queen Mother. She even gave herself the title “Nana Da Chi,” meaning “one who sees into the future.” She’s caring, thoughtful, and deeply loyal. When family issues come up, she faces them head-on. While I might stay quiet, she speaks her mind — and even if arguments happen, she never holds grudges. My husband and I often stayed with her when we visited Kumasi while our house was being completed. She made sure we were comfortable and treated us like her own. Sometimes we tease her for arguing just for the fun of it — like the famous bankye-fufu saga. Happy 80th Birthday, Mrs. Asante! You’ve always been our pillar of strength — caring, witty, fearless, and full of heart. Your love, determination, and calm spirit inspire us all. We celebrate you today and always. Afia The Birthday Journal 11
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