TRIBUTE FROM FRANK TAWIAH

From A Dear Friend

I’m uncertain of how to commence this. Should I address you directly in the second person, or should I speak about you, a dear friend, business associate, and exceptional human being, in the third person? Regre ably, neither approach will bring you back, so I will express my feelings as I deem appropriate, given that I’m in a state of shock and still numb from the news of your sudden passing.

Ernest was a man of God, loved and admired by all who crossed paths with him. The last time we communicated was in December of last year. He graciously invited my wife and I to Sharon’s upcoming wedding. Unfortunately, we couldn’t a end due to conflicting schedules—we were abroad to welcome our first grandchild, who arrived on Christmas Day.

I cherish the memories of our relationship, from exchanging stories about the dominance of our professional tennis heroes—Nadal and Federer—to arguing about line calls on the tennis courts of the Regimanuel Gray Club House on sweltering Saturday a ernoons, and sharing drinks, personal anecdotes, and business stories a erwards. These informal meetings on the tennis courts possibly influenced both of us to send our children to distant Toronto for their further education. As a devoted father, you, along with your wife, commi ed considerable resources to ensure your children succeeded in all their endeavours.

We didn’t see or chat with each other o en, but we always managed to catch up with engaging conversations and debates whenever we met for tennis. We collaborated on numerous business transactions, from your days at SSNIT to your time at Harith in South Africa. While some of the projects were successful and others less so, your professionalism and depth of knowledge always le a mark on me. Ernest, my gratitude for your role in my family’s greatest legacy is immeasurable.

Your family is in my thoughts and prayers at this time.

To Florence, Ernest Junior, and Sharon, I’m profoundly sorry for your immense loss. Please, let me know if there’s anything I can do to alleviate the pain. I’m here for you.