Hundreds of sympathisers across the country have joined Dr George Akuffo Dampare, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to bid farewell to the late Mrs Joan Kpentey, also known as Joan Semanu Ama Akploekpoe, the mother-in-law of the Security Chief.
In a tribute, the sons in law described Mrs Joan Kpentey as an epitome of womanhood, a hands-on mother who was always present for his children, relatives, and everyone that approached her and the family.
In a well-attended funeral service led by the Global Evangelical Church on Saturday at Vakpo-Todzi D/A Basic School Park in the Volta Region, tributes from the husband, children, and other relatives were read with many dignitaries including Traditional rulers eulogising the late mother for her commitment and love.
Mr WInfred Kpentey, a retired High Court Judge and husband of the late, in a tribute, stated that the demise of her late wife had left a huge vacuum in his life which was unimaginable.
“Although you assured me that you would come back soon from America, you could not return to Ghana as a passenger. My prayer is that God, who in the past ages blessed us with good health despite our sins, may look upon you mercifully and grant you eternal rest.”
The children also described their late mother as a woman who sacrificed everything to give them the best.
“She lovingly assisted our father, Mr Winfred Kpentey, to provide and care for us. Our education was of top priority to her. Growing up, our mum always ensured that we were never late to school. She was so concerned about our safety to the extent that she accompanied us to school before going to work. She bought us books to read and assisted us do our homework. She was also a very good cook who spoilt us with a variety of local and continental dishes,” it added.
Several dignitaries such as past and current Ministers of State, political figures, Traditional Rulers, the Clergy, Heads of Institutions and Agencies, Senior Security Officers, and Journalists, among others, converged to commiserate with the bereaved families.
The late Mrs. Joan Kpentey was born at Jasikan on November 23, 1957, to Mr Winfred Kodzo Akplokpoe of Vakpo Todzi and Mrs Grace Abra Ntem Akplokpoe of Alavanyo Agorxoe, all of blessed memory, and was the sixth born of ten children.
She started her basic school education at Kadjebi Akan E.P Primary and Local Authority Middle School near the Sunyani Stadium where she wrote and passed her common entrance exams.
‘Anti’ as she was affectionately called, subsequently gained admission into Vakpo Secondary School and completed in 1977. She continued her education at the School of Domestic Science and Catering (DOMESCO) now known as the College of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management in Accra.
In 1989, she accompanied her husband to Banjul in The Gambia and taught at The Gambia Hotel School now known as Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute at Sarakumda, also in The Gambia from 1990 to 1991.
Anti’s husband joined the Bench and was posted to Kumasi in the year 1992 so she and her children joined her husband in Kumasi in the latter part of 1993 where she also worked at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital as a National Service Personnel from January to September 1994.
After her national service, she worked briefly at the City Hotel in Kumasi now known as Lancaster Hotel.
The late Mrs Joan Kpentey enjoyed relatively good health until her travel to the United States of America where she became ill and was admitted to the hospital.
Unfortunately, on Friday, December 6, 2024, she passed on.
She was 68 and survived by her spouse, three children – Anita, Hilda, and John and sixteen grandchildren, including nine (9) adopted ones.
A cream of personalities spanning politics, security, academia, business, corporate and tradition bid their last respect to the late.
GNA