THE Catholic Bishop of Obuasi, the Most Rev. John Afoakwa, has emphasised that faith and the fear of the lord were important for national building.
He said a people who did not have faith or fear the lord would not make rapid development of their country.
He pointed out that though Ghana could today boast of many professionals and highly qualified people, the country was not witnessing that rapid development because many of those holding high positions in various spheres of national life were not grounded in faith and fear of the lord.
Most Rev. Afoakwa said these while delivering the homily at the of burial mass of Sir Kt. John Enyan Acheampong, a past supreme knight of the Noble Order of the Knights of Marshall, held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church inat Akrokeri in the Ashanti Region on Saturday, May 30, 2015.
Most Rev. Afoakwa said in the years gone by where untrained/pupil teachers were majority in schools many of the pupils came out of school dedicated and ready to face life because their teachers taught them to be dedicated and fear the Lord.
He, however, said the removal of moral and religious education from the school curriculum; subjects that helped to form pupils and students to love God, their neighbour and country, had contributed to the present situation in the country.
Most Rev. Afoakwa emphasised that those who fear the Lord and love their neighbour and country would shun things such as bribery, corruption, degradation of the environment, misuse of state property and armed robbery.
He praised Sir Kt. J.E. Acheampong for his dedication to his profession as a teacher.
He pointed out that it was the faith and the fear of the Lord that made Sir Kt. Bro. Acheampong to accept posting to various schools.
The Mass was concelebrated by 23 other priests namely: Rev. Fr. Peter Enyan Boadu (younger brother of Sir Kt. Bro. Acheampong who is a priest at Rochester in the USA), Rev. Fr. John Agyekum (Nzema Parish, Agric-Kumasi), Rev. Fr. Asare (Dwuamin), Rev. Fr. Atta Denkyira (Akrokeri), Rev. Fr. John Koffie (Manso Nkwanta), Rev. James Asare (Poano), Rev. Fr. Joseph Amass Osei Bonsu (Bongobiri), Rev. Angelo Opoku (Akrokeri College of Education), Rev. Fr. Boateng (Ahenema Kokoben), Rev. Fr. Baffour Awuah (Funso), Rev. Fr. Forson (Abono), Rev. Fr. John Owusu Ansah (Bekwai), Rev. Fr. Thomas Okyere (Gyekye Pramso), Rev. Fr. Maxwell Appiagyei (Obuasi) Rev. Fr. Adom Ware (Obuasi), Rev. Fr. Gregory Kwamina Afful (Ahweren), Rev. Fr. Fred Agyeman (Paraku Estates-Accra), Rev. Fr. Johannes Minta-Mensah (Kaneshie-Accra), Rev. Fr. Preprah Nyamekye (Pedu-Cape Coast), Very Rev. Fr. Batsa (Accra).
In attendance at the Mass were scores of people from all walks of life including over 300 brothers and sisters of the Noble Order of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall.
The Deputy Supreme Knight, W/Bro. Ernest Amoako-Arhen led a three-man delegation from the Supreme Council to the funeral. The other members of the delegation were W/Bro. Albert Salia (Supreme Information Technologist) and W/Bro. Charles Cobb (Assistant Supreme Propagandist in Charge of Ashanti and Brong Ahafo).
Other senior officers of the Noble Order who were at the burial mass were: W/Bro. David Frank Yawson (RGK of Ashanti South Denkyira Council), W/Bro. Matthew Kwame Gyamfi (RGK for Ashanti East Council), W/Bro. Nana E.K. Adjei (RGK for Ashanti Central Council), Sir Kt. Bro. Addai Gyammerah (a past substantive RGK for Ashanti-Denkyira Council), Sir Kt. Bro. P.D.K. Asamoah (a past substantive RGK for Ashanti-Denkyira Council), W/Bro. Paul Quansah (Assistant Supreme Youth Co-ordinator for Ashanti-Brong Ahafo Region), RL Sis. Veronica Mintah (RNL for Ashanti South Denkyira Court), RL Sis. Regina Lily Loglo (RNL for Ashanti East Court), RL Sis. Monica Barimah Koranteng (RNL for Ashanti Central Court), MRL Sis. Angelina Brempong (a past substantive RNL for Ashanti-Denkyira Court), RL Sis. Joyce Asiedu Quansah (a past substantive RNL for Ashanti-Denkyira Court),
A Biography of Sir Kt. Bro. Acheampong pointed out that he taught at many schools in the country and for a brief period in Nigeria. In October, 2001 he was appointed the headmaster of Bodwesongo Senior School where he eventually retired from active service on the rank of Deputy Director.
He thereafter took up appointment at St Margaret Senior High School as headmaster. In the last five years he worked with the West African Examination Council as Chief Examiner in English Language. On March 13, 2015 how was called by the Maker.
The children of Sir Kt. Bro. Acheampong, in a tribute, said their father was a man of rare qualities. He was very supportive, caring, friendly, trustworthy and above all God fearing. He was a man of strict principles and punished them whenever they went wrong. He spent his last pesewa to ensure that all children got the best of education.
Rev. Fr. Peter Enyan Boadu, a younger brother of Sir Kt. Bro. Acheampong, described his brother as a patriarch and teacher.
He pointed out that after the death of their mother Ms. Helena Akosua Serwah in 1958 their brother, Sir Kt. Bro. Acheampong became protector to them, his siblings. Sir Kt. Acheampong was the researcher and keeper of the family genealogy He was always present for family events because they meant much to him.
The Ashanti South Denkyira Regional Council in a tribute said Sir Kt. Bro. Acheampong was initiated by Council No. 14 (Obuasi) in December, 1980. He became secretary in 1994 and became Deputy Grand Knight from 1997 to 1998. He reigned as the 19th Grand Knight of Council No 14 from 1999 to 2000. From 2000 to 2005 he was Communication/Publication Officer of the Ashanti-Denkyira Regional Council. He was elected Deputy Regional Grand Knight for the Ashanti/ Denkyira in 2005. He was installed the Regional Grand Knight in 2009 and ended his two-year term in 2009. He was elevated to position of honorary past supreme knight in 2014. He was survived by a wife and nine children.
The mortal remains of Sir Kt. Bro. John Enyan Acheampong, PGA, PRGK, PSK was interred at the Akrokeri Public Cemetery.
Write-up by Bro. Kojo T. Vieta, PGA/RADV