29th Supreme Knight
PSK, Sir Kt. Bro. Victor Derx Baffour
A Gentleman And Action-Oriented Personality
FLASHBACK: 2012
PSK, Sir. Kt. Bro Victor Derx Baffour presenting a miniature Ghana flag to Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI
during a visit to the VATICAN. Looking on is PGL, MRL Sis. Margaret Gaisie-Essilfie.
Scores of descriptions came to the fore as I attempted to find out about the man , PSK, Sir Kt. Bro. Victor Derx Baffour, the 29th Supreme Knight of the Knights of Marshall.
“A gentleman of the highest order, an action-orientated personality, caring and concerned about the welfare of fellow men, a man of high taste, intelligent, affable, a good mixer, simple, jovial and approachable”, were some of the samples of descriptions bestowed by friends and Marshallans on the elegant 6.4 feet bespectacled gentleman.
Looking at the descriptions from my personal point of view, I believe Sir Kt. Bro. Baffour deserves the appellations showered on him which can be described as a true reflection of one the gentle giants of the Noble Order.
Sir Kt. Bro. Baffour’s life is reminiscent of a man whose taste for quality and perfection stands out supreme in all his endeavours. His journey in life, like other categories of people, although smooth sailing, has never been without perseverance.
Perseverance, which has enabled him to turn the scales in his favour no matter the teething obstacles. Justifiably, he believes every activity of hard labour should be climaxed with good quality “fork and knife” in line with his philosophy.
EDUCATION AND CAREER
Born 59 years ago, Sir Kt. Bro. Baffour completed his secondary education at the Tarkwa Secondary School and furthered his Sixth Form Education at Achimota School. At the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, he took a degree course in Pharmacy and later pursued another four year-Fellowship course at West Africa Postgraduate College of Pharmacy and subsequently, an MBA course at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
Sir Kt. Bro. Baffour’s ambition was to build a reputable image for himself in the private sector. Although he had the opportunity to join the public sector, he felt restricting himself to the private sector wiould give him a better opportunity to develop his talent and skills.
Starting with the then Hagan Bros Pharmacy as the Superintendent Pharmacist, Sir Kt. Bro. Baffour later made headway in the pharmaceutical industry serving as a medical representative to two major multinational companies in US and Germany, namely, US –Myers Squibb (BMS) and Schering. Sir Kt. Bro. Baffour who is presently the Chief Executive Officer of CYNDEX Pharmacy, also served as pharmaceutical consultant to DKT International and an NGO, Ventures Strategies Innovations (VSI). Currently Sir Kt. Bro. Baffour acting as Agent for Bracco Imaging S.p.A in Ghana. He has also served as Vice Chairman of General Practice Pharmacists Association of Ghana .
CHURCH ACTIVITES
Sir Kt. Bro. Baffour comes from a very strong Catholic background. A background which has enabled him to continue to serve the Holy Mother the Catholic Church in various capacities. He continues to be a Eucharistic Minister in the Church, a role he has played for over 14 years. He has also served as the President of the Parish Pastoral Council of S.S. Peter & Paul Church, New Aplaku, for nine years and was one-time the Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council of St Margaret Mary Parish, Dansoman.
In other areas of Catholic activities, he has made impressive inroads into the top hierarchy; National President, International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs, (ICMICA) – Pax Romana: Chairman , Accra Tema Catholic Youth Council; Secretary National Catholic Laity Council, Vice Chairman, Accra West Deanery Council, Vice Chairman of Boards of St Bernadette Soubiriuos School and S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic School and Vice Chairman, Board of Directors of Standard Newspapers and Magazines Ltd. (SNAM).
Sir Kt. Bro. Baffour’s journey into the Noble Order began in September 24, 1983 when together with the current Supreme Spiritual Director, Most Rev. Joseph Osei Bonsu and others were initiated into Council 10, Accra.
Since his initiation, Sir Kt. Bro. Baffour, has had the privilege of being a foundation member in a number of councils, namely, Council 48, Mataheko, 1986, Council 71, Dansoman, in the year 2000 and Council 109, New Aplaku in 2013.
In those Councils, he has had the privilege of serving in various capacities-Deputy Grand Knight, Council 48, Accra West, 1992; Grand Knight Council 48, 1993 and Regional Secretary, Greater Accra Regional Council from 1994-1996.
At the Supreme Council level, he served for a number of years as Secretary of the Historical and Research Committee and as Mystics Psychology Lecturer
From 1997 to 1999 he served as Assistant Supreme Propagandist and Supreme Propagandist from 1999 to 2000; Deputy Supreme Knight, September 2009 to 2011 and the 29th Supreme Knight of the Knights of Marshall from September 2011 to 2013.
LANDMARK PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES AS THE 29TH SUPREME KNIIGHT
Sir Kt. Bro. Baffour has had impressive tenure as the 29th Supreme Knight. His era witnessed the institution of measures to improve the financial viability, charity works and other ventures.
Mention should be made of the establishment of Marshallan Security Trust, a customized insurance scheme to create financial resource for brothers and sisters in times of need and during retirement; establishment of Marshallan Relief and Development Services (MAREDES), an NGO wing of the Noble Order, to spearhead and coordinate charitable acts to the Church and community; Establishment of Marshallan Centre for Fraternal Relations, a body to deepen the spirit of fraternity and networking within the Order and preparatory work for the establishment of Marshallan Medical Fund.
Two major projects were also completed, namely, the construction of Marian Grotto, (Our Lady of Marshallans) at the Marahallan Centre, Sekondi and the completion of fully furnished twin hermitage at Franciscan Prayer Centre at Saltpond. While in office, he also set up a committee headed by W/Bro Ambrose Yennah to prepare the strategic plan for the Noble Order.
During his tenure of office, the Best Council Award after 20 years was also relaunched. The period also witnessed the Maiden National Forum for Junior Order Organizers in Kumasi as well as the Maiden Annual Retreat for the leadership of the Noble Order at Brafo Yaw, Cape Coast.
MARITAL STATUS
Sir Kt. Bro. Baffour is married to Sis. Cynthia Baffour, a Past Regional Secretary of the erstwhile Greater Accra Regional Court and a Past Regional Reader and Lecturer of Accra West Regional Court and are blessed with three children, namely, Francis, Mariolla and Margaret Mary.
WRITE-UP:
SIR KT. BRO. FRANCIS FRITZ ANDOH