Alfred Codjoe

“Good people die and no one understands or even cares. But when they die, no calamity can hurt them. Those who live good life find peace and rest in death”. (Isaiah 57:1-2)

The late Mr. Alfred Codjoe, who was affectionately called Uncle Alfred or Bro Joe, was born on 17th November, 1941 at Winneba in the Central Region. His parents were Opanyin Kofi Yamoah, a renowned watch repairer at his time, and Madam Victoria Hayford, a trader, and both of blessed memory. He was the first child of eight siblings.

He had his basic education at Methodist School in Dunkwa-on-Offin. After his elementary education, also in Dunkwa-on-Offin, he joined the then Thompson Moore and Gallaway Limited in Dunkwa-on-Offin, where he undertook apprenticeship training in Automobile Engineering.

In 1961, his parents moved to Winneba, and as a young energetic and entrepreneuring man, he left to Accra to live with his uncle who was a police officer at the Cantonments Police Station. Just around that period, he was employed at the Botany Department of the University of Ghana, Legon. He started as a Clerk, but by dint of hard work, self-discipline and many in-service trainings, he was assigned to the laboratory section, where he rose through the ranks from a Junior Laboratory Technician to a Senior Laboratory Technician to his retirement.

At a point in time while he worked at Botany Dept, due to his passion for dancing, he took up part time work as a Dance Instructor at then Lido Theater in Accra. In order to maximize his income, he operated a transport venture known as God is God Transport Services where he operated a taxi, a minivan and a 7-tonner truck. After his retirement from Legon, he also set up a block manufacturing factory at Fetteh- Kakraba.

In the mid-sixties, he met his better half, Madam Grace Oppong, now Mrs. Grace Codjoe. They have been blessed with 10/ ten children 30/ thirty grandchildren and 15/ fifteen great grandchildren.

Uncle Alfred was a strict disciplinarian and always ensured the right thing was done. He was also a practicing Christian and hated anything un-godly. He was a great Counsellor and Advisor, not only to his nuclear family but the entire family at large including the extended family of his better half. Anyone in trouble sought some counsel from him because often than not, it ended up in the desired results. He was a good arbitrator and lover of peace.

He was also deep rooted in the Winneba chieftaincy affairs, a role which won him the admiration of most of the past and present Chiefs and Elders of the Effutu State. He was the patron of Maame Ekua Bortsewa Foundation, a family foundation named after his grandmother for which he convinced his children to join. He was a member of Mount Olivet Methodist Church, Dansoman.

He was a handyman who could fix anything around the house from plumbing, carpentry, electrical as well as his cars. He nearly turned the house into a garage when he allowed apprentices to come fix their clients' vehicles in and around the house.

His hobbies included tinkering with his many American cars and playing classical tunes especially on Sundays.

Almost 2/ two decades into his retirement, Old Alfred started having health challenges which kept deteriorating him in spite of the specialized medical attention he received. His children did everything possible to save his life, but the angel of death was already in control. On the fateful Monday of 18th July, 2022, the family had it darkest moment in life. Death laid its icy hands on him.

As the Apostle Paul wrote in II Timothy 4:7-8, you have fought a good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith. Henceforth there laid up for you, a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give you at that day: and not only to you, but unto all that have longed for his appearing.

A great legend is gone, A great vacuum is created; A hero is gone, A gem is lost.

Uncle Alfred, Bro. Joe, Dada, Grandpa, Gauze, we shall forever remember you.

May the Almighty God grant you a peaceful rest.

Da yie.