Ex WO1 Favour Aku Ziwu, my mother, is the best and most beautiful woman on planet earth. Giving birth to six children did not stop her from mothering other non-biological children some from extended family and others well beyond.
My mother, a most reliable Anchor, instilled discipline in all her children. Her training as a soldier and that of my father Late Ahorbo Ben Coffie, also a soldier, made our home a mini-military training camp with the children Agbeko, Edem, Enya, Venunye, Selasi and Eyram serving almost like potential recruits.
By our parents’ designations, we underwent various regimental orders on daily basis where chain of command was strictly observed.
Pressing military uniforms, shining boots, weeding the compound, cooking and respect for Ewe cultural norms were a common feature on the training manual at home.
Ex Favour Aku Ziwu gave birth to all her six children while serving in the Ghana Armed Forces as a soldier. At a point in her life, she worked for two years on Border Guard duties at Manusu/Dankwanta in the Volta Region without pay while pregnant with Venunye my younger brother. The unlawful intimidation and punishment by the military authority never deterred her from “soldiering on.” She served 32 years, 62 days in the Ghana Armed Forces.
Three of us, Agbeko, Edem and Enya, once lived with our grandmother Mama Afavi Adjeiza of blessed memory and Aunty Judith Akpene Ziwu at Woe in the Anlo District of the Volta Region. Venunye later joined us. Our time at Woe was very eventful.It was an opportunity to help us study the Ewe language and other cultural practices.
As a soldier, Mother also served in various peacekeeping missions in Rwanda, Liberia, Lebanon and many other operational theatres as ordered by the Military.
As we observe Mother’s Day today May 10th, we your children, your in-laws and grandchildren are very proud of you and wish to express our sincerest gratitude to you for helping us through school and imbibing in us Christian values. Your love and kindness is unparalleled.
Maame Soldier, you’ll remain loved forever. You are indeed my anchor.
About the author: Agbeko Ben Coffie is a Journalist, a member of GJA and a member of the African Union (AU) network of journalists for Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) and has undergone training in leadership and governance in London and China. His interest is in issues affecting rural communities particularly in the Volta Region of Ghana.
Latest Stories
-
Herman Suede is set to release ‘How Dare You’ on April 24
2 hours -
Heal KATH: Kuapa Kokoo, Association of Garages donate 120k to support project
2 hours -
KNUST signs MOU with Valco Trust Fund, Bekwai Municipal Hospital to build student hostel
2 hours -
The influence Ronaldo has on people, Cadman Yamoah will have same on the next generation – Coach Goodwin
3 hours -
Gender Advocate Emelia Naa Ayeley Aryee Wins prestigious Merck Foundation Awards
4 hours -
South Africa bursary scandal suspects granted bail
4 hours -
Ecobank successfully repays $500m Eurobond due April 18
5 hours -
Re: Doe Adjaho, Torgbui Samlafo IV, call for Unity among Paramountcies in Anlo
5 hours -
Extortion and kidnap – a deadly journey across Mexico into the US
5 hours -
Rihanna says fashion has helped her personal ‘rediscovery’ after having children
5 hours -
Development Bank Ghana targets GH¢1bn funding for commercial banks in 2024
5 hours -
Shatta Movement apologises to Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled after backlash
6 hours -
Sammy Gyamfi writes: Tema-Mpakadan Railway Project; A railway line to nowhere
6 hours -
Bright Simons: Is the World Bank saving or harming Ghana?
7 hours -
CAF Cup: RS Berkane banned from entering Algeria because of a map of Morocco with its Sahara
7 hours