Samuel Joseph Anie, Esq.

(30^th December 1918 – 28^th November 1995)

 “Death to a good man is but passing through a dark entry, out of one little dusky room of his Father’s house into another that is fair and large, lightsome and glorious, and divinely entertaining”

(Adam Clarke)

 20 years ago, Samuel Joseph Anie suddenly passed into a special, large, lightsome and glorious room in his Heavenly Father’s house.

He had spent 76 years of an extraordinarily full life, with a focus on harnessing his energy and industry in the service of others. He nurtured and improved the lives of many.

Day by day, as the years have gone by, those he left behind continue to marvel at his achievements and the sheer breadth of his vision and foresight.

Vision and foresight built on experience in politics, public service, industry and life in general.

He was the consummate politician - a founding member of the Convention People’s Party (C.P.P), and one of the first to heed Osagyefoo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s clarion call. He was a courageous and formidable Trade Union Leader in the Western Region during the struggle for the successful liberation of Ghana from colonial rule, and rose to be the Party Branch Chairman in Takoradi. As the late Kojo Botsio of blessed memory noted in his 1995 tribute to S.J. Anie: “He was one of the people who enjoyed Kwame Nkrumah’s trust most, and he [Osagyefoo] gave him many assignments where confidentiality and truthfulness mattered most”.  S.J. Anie rose through the party’s ranks to become a member of the C.P.P’s all powerful Central Committee and also served on its National Executive Committee.

His devotion to public service, specifically organised labour, continued after Ghana’s independence, when he became one of the architects of Ghana’s restructured Trade Union Congress. He served as its Director of Business Enterprises and Finance Board Chairman.

S.J. Anie’s place in the economic history of Ghana is assured, as a pioneer in the development of Ghana’s industrial base. He led on negotiations to establish the Industrial Cooperatives (Indusco) in 1960. Through his strategic foresight, he also spearheaded the establishment of a variety of enterprises such as the Ghana National Construction Company (G.N.C.C.); Ghana National Trading Company (G.N.T.C); Vegetable Oil Mills and Suhum Garment Factory. He was a central figure in the establishment of the Ghana Textile Printing Company and the State Textile Manufacturing Corporation, now Tema Textiles Ltd, where as Managing Director he produced the first piece of African Fancy Print Cloth in Ghana, an achievement for which he received the praise of Osagyefoo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

S.J. Anie made an immense contribution to Ghana’s manufacturing sector, and this is perhaps best illustrated by his brilliant ingenuity in textile printing. In the late 1960’s he established his own company, Anitex Ltd. and in time a retail outlet, May-May stores.

 Anitex Ltd. was a trail blazer for textile printing companies which mushroomed in Ghana soon afterwards. It was the first firm in Ghana to undertake screen printing by hand, and this grew into an integrated multi-million cedi textile printing operation covering cotton prints, printed polyester and synthetic products as well as its retail operation. He received several major awards for the quality of Anitex products including the 1986 VII Africa Award.

S.J. Anie loved his Church fervently and donated his skills, time and money to the Presbyterian Church on a liberal scale. His contribution was recognised as a Presbyter of the Tutu Presbyterian Church. At the Headquarters of the Ghana Presbyterian Church he contributed his experience to many committees including the Education Foundation. In Accra he was an ardent member of the Kaneshie Presbyterian Church and was honoured severally for his devotion to the Christian call.

He was an excellent sportsman, and loved to play lawn tennis and football. Notably he was a passionate supporter of Accra Hearts of Oak – a truly committed Phobian. His association with Accra Hearts of Oak spanned over 50 years including as Life Patron of the Club.

Politics, public service, industry and an exemplary private life all woven into one rich tapestry. Those he left behind continue to draw upon the wisdom and experience he imparted so generously.

We miss him immensely. May God Bless his memory.  May his soul continue to rest in perfect peace.

Fondly remembered by your dear wife Josie, the children, the entire family, the CPP family, the Accra Hearts of Oak supporters and friends.

 

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there; I did not die.

 

(Mary Elizabeth Frye, 1932)