Born at Koforidua in the Eastern Region of Ghana on 1st April 1934, Mrs Janet Edith Mmieh was the third of five siblings by Mathias Brown Wutoh, a Building Contractor and Felicia Akpe, both of blessed memory. Both parents hailed from Tanyingbe in the Volta Region of Ghana.
Janet was raised by staunch Presbytarians and attended the Presbytarian School in Koforidua. She converted to Catholicism in 1964 when she met her dear husband, the renowned Lawyer, Anthony Kwesi Mmieh, of blessed memory, with whom they were blessed with three biological lovely children – Jacqueline, Philipa and Anthony. She raised many others as her own children. After the demise of her husband she devoted herself to raising her children, grandchildren and serving humanity and the Church.
Janet was a distinguished and seasoned Nurse by profession and the first trained State Registered Nurse from her hometown, Tanyingbe. After her Middle School education, she studied Nursing at the Korlebu Teaching Hospital and qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1959.
She held several positions in the nursing profession. 1n 1962, she left Ghana to join her brother in Manchester in the United Kingdom where she furthered her studies in nursing. She qualified as a State Registered Nurse (SRN) at Southmead General Hospital in Bristol, England, as a Registered Midwife at Warrington General Hospital in Lancashire and as a Public Health Nurse at Manchester College of Commerce, England in 1962, 1963 and 1964 respectively. In 1972, she became a Member of the Royal Society of Health (MRSH), Manchester, England.
Her professional duties in Ghana were very extensive, mainly in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions. She was always on the move and was neither daunted nor perturbed, in spite of challenges. She worked as a District Public Health Nurse under the Ministry of Health in Kumasi, Ghana. In 1973, she was transferred to Sunyani as a District Public Health Nurse and became the Matron in charge of the Jachie Pramso Catholic Hospital in 1979.
Janet went back to school in 1981 to study Nursing Administration at the University of Ghana, Legon. Upon completion of her three-year study, she was appointed the Regional Supervisor of the Catholic Relief Services in 1986, yet again, serving the poor, needy and under-privileged in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions.
Janet loved to travel either as part of her professional career as a Nurse or as a pilgrim, reinforcing her Christian values and ethos. She travelled to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in 1973, visiting important places such as Tivoli, the River Jordan, Sea of Galilee, The Dead Sea, Franciscan Friars, St Cecilia’s casket, St Philomena’s Tomb, saw St Anthony’s original Robes and his fresh tongue. She also undertook a Pilgrimage to Rome in 1975 where she visited The St Peter’s Basilica, The Catacumb, St John Lateran and St Mary Majoro.
In 1981, Janet became a Fellow of the West African College of Nursing in the West African Sub Region, which afforded her a unique opportunity of visiting Honolulu (Hawaii) in 1986 to attend the Theresians International Conference.
In 1983 she paid private visits to Amsterdam, Germany, Brussels and the Netherlands and made many friends who visited her family in Ghana from time to time. Janet was a good host and anyone who visited always felt at home and part of her family.
From 1987 to 1994, she was appointed and served as the Executive Secretary at the Diocesan Health Secretariat in Kumasi. She also served as Matron in charge of the Safo Adu Hospital as the Deputy Director of Nursing Services from 1994 to 2003 and later, in 2004, she was appointed the Matron of Atasemanso Hospital Ltd.
Janet really never retired from her work as a Nurse because she kept working voluntarily till her demise on Saturday, 24th November 2018.
Mrs Janet Edith Mmieh was initiated into the Noble Order of the Ladies of Marshall in 1971 and appointed the Propagandist for Court 1 in Kumasi in 1972. From then, she rose through the ranks till she became a Past Noble Lady (PGL).
She was deeply involved in activities both at work and in the Great Noble Order that at a time the Grand Secretariat was being run from her residence and working place. Invariably, her household became involved and gave off their immense support to which she was very grateful.
She was, for over 20years, a Parochial Council Member, Marriage Counselor, member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Catholic Ewe Union as well as a Patroness for the St Peter’s Basilica Choir.
During her lifetime she received three awards from the Pope in Rome.
Janet did not achieve any of the above in anyway by her energy, strength or wisdom. She always acknowledged that it was by the Grace of the Almighty God, her Maker.
Auntie Jane was very sociable. Her doors were opened to all and she welcomed everyone with immense love, affection and charitable arms. Indeed, she was generous to a fault and always desired to make everyone around her comfortable. She was always available to listen to people, offer advice and console, especially in times of difficulties. She loved her parties as well and always looked out for opportunities to do her numerous dances.
On the day she was taken ill, one of her very close friends, Mrs Frances Yaban, was visiting. She was strong, very strong, and walking about. Everything happened so fast, three days after her collapse. While her two daughters, Jacqueline and Philipa, were with her, she past peacefully to eternity on Saturday, 24th November 2018.
While her demise is a huge loss to the family (who she loved and served with all her heart), the church and to friends, we give thanks and glory to the Almighty God for a life so well lived.
Mummy, Auntie Janet, Auntie Jane, Cici, may the Lord grant you perfect peace and a comforting rest.