Hundreds of sympathisers and mourners filled the St Ignatius Catholic Church, in Stamford Hill, London in the United Kingdom for the memorial service for the late Ghanaian teenager, Godwin Lawson who was murdered in London in March this year. The large crowd, hundreds of who did not find space in the hall, included some high profile political and social figures, members of the clergy as well as teammates of the late football star from the Oxford United Football Academy. Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK, Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo, some members of the UK Parliament David Lammy and Diane Abbott, together with some other parents of victims of knife and gun crimes in London such as Jimmy Mizen, Damilola Taylor and David Idowu were present. The mourners were clad in traditional Ghanaian Black and White funeral outfit. Godwin Lawson, 17, died on March 27 after being stabbed in Hackney, East London. He was stabbed at the Amhurst Park at 1.50am. A post-mortem examination gave cause of death as a stab wound to the chest. Godwin and two of his friends aged 18 and 20 were attacked by at least four other youths during which the two other friends were severely wounded and later taken to hospital suffering from stab wounds. The soccer starlet who had won scholarship into the Oxford United Football Academy last summer had returned to visit his family from Oxford where he had been engaged in football studies. Another Ghanaian teenager, Moise Avorgah, of St Ann's Road, was later charged with the murder of Lawson who had dreamt of playing for Manchester United. The head of the St Ignatius Church, Father Tim Byron who conducted the service expressed dismay at the loss of the life of a young man who had so much potential and aspirations. He called for pragmatic efforts from all to help combat the knife culture in the city of London which has taken tens of illustrious youth lives over the last few years. Father Byron recalled Lawson’s dream of being a professional football star and noted that such a wonderful vision could not be materialised primarily due to the wickedness of certain individuals who have adapted to errant cultures adding that “his dream was cruelly taken away from him” He urged youngsters not to join the knife crime culture and urged those involved to desist from it to help save innocent lives as well as their own. Lawson’s mother, Mrs Yvonne Lawson’s eulogy, assisted by husband Calvin was virtually drowned by weeping. The bereaved mother’s song “there is no one like you” and the description of her late son as “My full of energy boy” put most of the sympathisers in tears, some of them uncontrollable. Mrs Lawson described Lawson’s death as a great loss to the family. She said he was very patient but noisy, creating laughter to make every one happy and observed that his absence has created enormous void in the house. Lawson’s former head teacher, Mr. John-Paul Morrison also praised the late Ghanaian teenager and said the children of the school have gone through a series of counselling following Lawson’s death. He said the authorities had taken advantage of the situation to invite the police and prison officials to address the children of the devastating effects of knife crime. The Head of the Oxford United Football Academy Gavin Hinds, commended the Lawsons family for bring up “such a wonderful, decent, and a great man.” He praised the late Lawson and described him as very popular because of his good attitude and a man with strong and enviable character. Many other tributes were read by groups and individuals who praised the late talented footballer as a kind and humble young man with great prospects. A striking moment which drew further tears from mourners was when one of Lawson’s schoolmates led a procession of tears-shedding group out of the church to symbolize the end of his 17 years on earth. Story: Nana Sifa Twum, London Email: nana@sifatwum.com