BIOGRAPHY - MARLON PRAISES ANIPA
BIRTH & PARENTAGE
Marlon Praises Anipa was born 63 years ago at Hohoe in the Volta Region . He missed his 64th birthday by months. His parents were Rev S.E.K Anipa, a Reverend Minister of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana and Mrs. Beatrice Abra Kaa Anipa a baker, both of blessed memory. They hailed from Akpafu Todzi. Marlon was named Praises Mawuse Komla Anipa at birth but true to his adventurous nature, Mawuse metamorphosed into Marlon and Praises became Pee when he got to Secondary School. He was the fifth son among six brothers and eighth among twelve siblings.
EDUCATION
Praises started his primary education at Akpafu Todzi and continued in Jasikan because Papa, a teacher/pastor then, had frequent transfers within the Volta Region. After his primary education, he moved to live with his elder brother Lawrence Anipa, who was then teaching at Worawora. He attended Worawora L.A. Middle School. In 1971, he sat for the Common Entrance Examination and gained admission to Awudome Secondary School, Tsito (AWUSCO).
He spent five years at AWUSCO, where he successfully wrote and obtained his G.C.E ‘O’ Level Certificate in 1975. But this was not without all the drama, disruptions and interventions. This notwithstanding, Marlon was a brilliant student. Now popularly known as Marlon, he proceeded to Kpando Secondary School (KPASEC) the same year to pursue his Sixth Form Course. He obtained his G.C.E. ‘A’ Level Certificate after the two year study.
Marlon gained admission into the University of Ghana, Legon to study Humanities. He lost two years of his time at the University during the heady days of the Rawlings Revolution, pursuing Task Force activities at Hohoe after the one-year mandatory closure of the Universities. Marlon completed his undergraduate studies obtaining a B.A. (HONS) History and Classics in 1985.
He relocated to London the same year and decided to pursue a career in mental health. He enrolled and studied at Friern Barnet Hospital Mental Health and Nursing School, London.
EMPLOYMENT
Marlon worked briefly at Ministry of Finance before his departure to the United Kingdom. In the U.K. he lived and worked very briefly in Bournemouth before moving to London. He worked at Friern Barnet Hospital as a Registered Mental Health Nurse briefly. He got his break when he was employed by Living Space, a private mental health service provider, as a Manager of one of their Homes. He worked there for many years and rose through to become a Director at Living Space. Marlon was passionate about his job and therefore put in his all.
Upon his voluntary retirement, Marlon became a Specialist Consultant in Mental Health, where he helped many people in different roles. He later re-located to Ghana to pursue his political ambition.
Back in Ghana, where he devoted his time more to politics, he continued consulting in mental health. He was a board member of B-Heck Africa, a community mental and social heaith NGO.
He was also a board member of Asanko Gold Company Limited.
On Monday 1st November 2021, he informed us of his nomination by the President of the Republic of Ghana as the first District Chief Executive of the newly created Guan District and on 5th November, a jubilant Marlon informed us of his confirmation. He spent only a day in office. His dreams for the district were not to be; he died with his dreams
MARITAL LIFE
Marlon married Miss Gay Agbenorku also from Akpafu Todzi, who had joined him in the U.K. after he relocated. They lived in Bournemouth Dorset where they got married. He moved to London with his wife now Mrs Tracy Anipa after he gained admission to study in London Marlon and Tracy.
They lived together in London with their sons till his relocation to Ghana for the past six years.
SOCIAL LIFE
Marlon was a lover of sports especially when it comes to football. During his middle school days, he knew all the football clubs and footballers off head. He was a staunch supporter of Accra Great Olympics football club. In London his team was Tottenham Hotspurs
Marlon loved music. He loved to dance. To say he was the life and soul of any party would be an understatement to the extent that he still took part in dancing competitions. The latest was just last year at his nephew Boala’s wedding and did another round at his niece Atese’s wedding some months after. He loved Michael Jackson, he loved Jimmy Cliff and many other old time musicians.
He was very involved in the Arts in his youthful days where he will bring theatre performances like Abibigroma to come and perform at the then Hohoe Theatre.
He attended most of the family and friends’ social functions and played very major roles. He was either an organizer, an MC or just making sure everyone was having fun. He was easy going, he loved people and loved life.
CHURCH LIFE
Marlon was a member of the EPCG and worshipped at the EPCG, North London Congregation. He played the drums during service and was a come along member of the Men’s Fellowship. He attended EPCG UK functions whenever he was able.
The late Hon. Marlon Pee played a vital role in helping find a place of worship to establish the Milton Keynes EPCG.
He was a good communicator and touched the life of many people. He had the gift of being able to reach out to people, in whatever circumstances he found himself. He loved to serve people.
POLITICAL LIFE
In political life, Marlon was a very staunch and very progressive member of the NPP, UK branch. His love for the U.P. tradition started with his open declaration of support for Victor Owusu the PFP Presidential candidate during the 1979 election, which was won by President Hilla Limann. He afterwards switched and pitched camps briefly with Rawlings during the revolution. He went back to his first love, the U.P. tradition when he joined the NPP U.K.
He also led and prosecuted party affairs in the Volta Region. He contested in the parliamentary primaries in Hohoe twice. He lost in 2012, stood again in 2016, won the primaries but lost to NDC.
He contributed immensely to the formation of the Oti Region and Guan District . So we were not surprised he was rewarded with his appointment as first District Chief Executive of the district. Unfortunately, he worked a few days as DCE and spent only a day in his office.
Marlon lived and worked very hard for the NPP in UK and Ghana. He loved the NPP so much that the family felt he put the party above family
HIS LAST DAYS
Marlon was not sick. He was well and attended the funeral of his sister-in-law Ama in Accra the weekend before his untimely death.
On Sunday 14th November 2021 Marlon went for a thorough medical check-up in Accra and the doctor gave him a clean bill of health. He left Accra for his post that Sunday, checked into a hotel in Hohoe and reported for duty on Monday 15th November 2021.
He joined the Regional Minister for Oti Region and they toured the BECE Centres together to encourage the pupils to do their best with the ongoing BECE examination. Later that day, the Regional Minister left for his post at Dambai, and Marlon left for his office at Likpe Mate.
It was at his office when the tragic episode started. Marlon sat in his chair in his office at Likpe Mate. But when he later wanted to stand up, he couldn’t. After several attempts he called his sister Gloria in Accra. Another younger sister Gertrude and their husbands were present when he called. They asked him to turn it to a video call so they could see him. In the full view of his sisters, they observed that Hon. Marlon Pee was struggling to get up from the chair.
Then he said to them that he was seeing stars. But with a lot of encouragement from his sisters, he was able to get up from his chair, picked up his bag and left the office to travel back to Hohoe. They advised him to go to the hospital. But, after leaving the office he said to them that he was feeling better, so he would be fine. He went back to his hotel, and later requested for dinner from his family house which he ate in the presence of his niece.
By 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 16th November 2021, Hon. Marlon Praises Anipa had departed this world. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Hohoe Government hospital. He sat in his office as the District Chief Executive for only one day.
The circumstances surrounding his death made it a coroner’s case, requiring a mandatory post-mortem to be performed. We are awaiting the post mortem report which will help us bring closure to the life of Marlon on this earth. Hmmm
