TRIBUTE FROM STEVE OCLOO
I met Marlon at the University of Ghana in 1982 and immediately we became close friends. That was the beginning of a friendship which would go on for close to forty years. I remember during those revolutionary days when we held parties at Mensah-Sarbah Hall’s Aboagyewa Disco and Marlon would volunteer to be the bouncer at the gate with Tracy by his side keeping him company. If you were not invited there was no way you would get in even with our intervention. He was so dedicated to whatever he decided and believed in. In 1984 Marlon expressed the desire to travel to the UK and asked me how I could help. I promised to get him an invitation letter from a holiday farm camp I attended yearly to pick strawberries in the fields, I returned with the invitation letter as promised and Marlon left for the UK in the summer of 1985. After the farm camp Marlon moved to London where he enrolled to do nursing at Friern Barnet Hospital.
Our partying days continued in London where he and Tracy attended all my birthday parties. Our friendship grew so deep that when Kelvin his first son was born he made me his Godfather, this I considered to be a great honour and I will forever be grateful. Anytime Marlon wanted to take important decisions he would bounce it off me and I will give him my candid opinion to help him decide what was best for him. Our friendship was one that most people couldn’t understand as we were there for each other. When he decided to begin his journey back home, he had a permanent room with his spare keys waiting for him in my home by his bedside.
When Marlon was appointed DCE, we discussed some big plans he had for the Guan District including helping him put up a food processing plant in his district during his first year in office to employ over one hundred people but sadly it wasn’t to be.
He was a big part of my family, my daughters Esther and Stephanie still cannot believe his sudden exit.
My heart is heavy but I thank God for making me part of his journey here on earth.
Fare thee well Marlon till we meet again
TRIBUTE FROM NELSON KPODO-TAY (A SOUL BROTHER)
Praises has been a sound track to my existence until the moment of his passing. Our next agenda was intended for Hohoe after his induction to office. Here I am doing the unimaginable, reading a tribute to Marlon. Hmmm. Marlon, closer than a brother. Marlon, you never failed me. Marlon, fare thee well. The Lord be with you.
In all our life’s walk Marlon has proven a dedicated friend, he was selfless and an honest friend. There is never a dull moment in the company of Marlon. He is creative, a non-conformist, fearless and has a nonsensical sense of humor and then again, was very streetwise.
I met Praises at the great AWUSCO, Tsito in September 1972 as a GREENHORN, ‘Homo’. Unfortunately, he was the first continuing student I met. In his fluent English laced with Jargons to both impress and intimidate me, baptized me with the bullying of my life. Then he asks, what is your favorite sports? Then when I answered, I am a boxer from Tarso. He immediately put his hands around me. “We will then be good friends”, he said “because there are some seniors here who should be beaten”. This friendship was further cemented by his connection with Mr. Asare aka, SKODA, the then Headmaster, Mr. Akrasi, the sports master and then to his siblings especially, Sister Annie, our lifeline at Legon (1980), who also happened to be the wife of my lecturer and mentor, late Dr. Franklin Klu. This friendship got stuck throughout his living life, irrespective of our locations
Praises really liked me. He was quick to introduce me (and vice versa) to any new friends that came his way throughout our walk in life. I believed Marlon had more confidence in me than I had in myself. He believed I will turn out huge in this country, and I am getting there anyway. Few things that I have realized stresses Marlon most includes; tortuous protocols, class system or divide, complexes. He believed in egalitarianism. Marlon has a classy taste for goods and services, except he does not apply these things optimally. That was patent to him, his brand but not lately because ‘levels don change’. He identified with things that are populist in nature. He was a member of our make shift school band –Shouting Bones, at the vocalist end and travelled with the school sport team as Supporter-in-Chief. He was a vibrant debater, with excellent memory recall, he has a way of easily invading people’s conversations particularly, if in his opinion you are rendering hoax and inconsistencies – such an extrovert and so gregarious he was.
The tribute will be too long if I should narrate all the escapades we shared in our exuberant days including 1. Our days as civil servants at the ministries in Accra, 2. The KNUST admission blues and return fare back to Accra encounter and 3. The over indulgent and super-excitement and the maddening welcome that leaves you on urge if you met Marlon in London the first time.
Marlon’s enigmatic attitudes often hit me hard. During our time in Legon, Marlon represented one of the staunchest followers of AFRC and a lover of Jerry Rawlings & the Tsikatas. Indeed, he sacrificed an extra year of university education to canvass for the popularity of the government. Marlon left many of his admirers in the lurch when he jettisoned from the AFRC and eloped with the Busia/Danquah tradition a little while after. He confided in me that “I know NANA ADDO DANKWA personally”. He is experience, trustworthy and will make Ghana good. Why are you splitting with your earlier heartthrob? “He answered ‘It’s a long story, our friendship is more important”. Marlon’s mind was made up. He never looked back.
I believe the NPP has fittingly rewarded Marlon for his stewardship, energy and material contributions to the party. A top-up of his reward was the appointment as District Chief Executive, the pioneer DCE of the latest Region, OTI. Praises gave up the ghost on his first day at his political office. If Marlon had sustained this office, I am certain that it will have inure to the benefit of the many who are here seated. With his huge social capital, plans & planning and readiness to positively impact the spatial, social and economic jurisdiction of office, the district will have without doubt seen evidential improvement.
Here lies Marlon, stiff and silent, nothing to benefit from him anymore. What does one do with a dead friend? This loss is a great pain. I will miss you very sorely. Your surprise show ups at number 10 (my residence), cannot be anticipated again. The thoughts of you will forever remain in our hearts, more so when I encounter places we ever have been, issues we have discussed or debated and conversations that thrilled us.
My condolences to your spouse, children, your illustrious family and to the people of Akpafu. Also, to the NPP, may the party do something to immortalize Marlon and to remain strong.
TRIBUTE TO PRAISES FROM GRACE AMENYOGBELI
“Life is fragile and very unpredictable. Tragedy always happens when we least expect it, and it’s the more shocking when it happens to the greatest and nicest of people”- Steven Evans
On November 16, I received a WhatsApp message form a common friend of Praises and I in the form of a news item that the ‘Newly appointed DCE for Guan District…’. Without paying attention to the conclusion of the message, I jumped in with a response that “yesooo, he informed me about it. Thank God for him. I pray he excels in his mandate”. This friend then realised that I didn’t get the message right. So, she called me and just dropped the devastating bomb, “Marlon is dead! Your response to my message was clear that, you didn’t get it”.
Whaaaaat! How! When! Where! That was my immediate, but desperate reaction. I dashed to our year-group platform for confirmation. Lo and behold, the news was trending! Oh! Praises, you kept me in the loop with all updates from nomination to election and approval stage. So, what happened? Neither answers nor explanations from any quarters changed the situation. Oh, that is what it was! Nothing could be done about it. Oh, indeed, man is so fragile, and his end is very unpredictable as indicated in the wisdom of Steven Evans above.
Praises was my good friend! I knew him as Praises from Secondary School. I never was able to accept his name Marlon, he had been Praises all along even though he preferred Marlon to Praises. The happy-go-lucky person, yet serious when the occasion demanded so; the one who was bluntly honest about everything, no colours, no flavours, he said it as it was. Our relationship grew from friendship to mother and son one whereby he responded to me as “yes mom” be it an admonishing, counsel, or suggestion because he always bounced issues with me. A kind of confidante I became to him.
I keep learning everyday about life’s issues. The passing of Praises has echoed one more time the authenticity of the Word of God in Psalm 90:4-6 and 12 (New International Version) – A thousand years in Your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. Yet You sweep people away in the sleep of death – they are like the new grass of the morning: in the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered. Verse 12: Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
May God help the living to learn to do just that. Besides, I have no choice, but to abide by His Word in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. Therefore, all I can say is Thank you Jesus for the life of Praises. May he ride on the mercies of God and journey safely to His bosom where there is eternal peace.
Praises, I pray that His mercies shall be your portion. Rest well!
Grace.
A TRIBUTE TO MY DEAR FRIEND AND MENTOR
By Dr. Moses Deyegbe Kuvoame – Lecturer Norway
I feel honoured to pay tribute to my dear friend and mentor, the late Hon. Marlon Praises Anipa. We became very close friends when Marlon entered Sixth Form at Kpandu Secondary School (Kpasec). I was in form four. Marlon impacted my life in many positive ways with his brotherly love, advice, guidance and kindness. He was a great influence on my intellectual development by giving me abundant access to his wisdom and intellectual prowess.
I lack words to describe the kind of intellectual osmosis I experienced in his presence. As his “small boy” at Kpasec, Marlon would lie in his bed and I would read his Sixth Form (A level) notes and textbooks to him. As a young student given to intellectual curiosity, I would ask him questions pertaining to the notes and books, and he would take his time and explain things I did not understand to me. He entranced me with the depth and breadth of his knowledge. So, while in forms four and five, I had Advanced Level stuff at my fingertips because of him. Marlon was not only my intellectual mentor at Kpandu Secondary School. He also protected me and other students from vicious seniors who bullied juniors who had a keen sense of justice and asserted their human rights. He defended the defenseless.
He was also there for me when I gained admission into the University of Ghana, Legon. He was with me the first day I arrived at Legon as a young undergraduate from the countryside. He helped me with all the necessary registration and showed me around campus. The intellectual mentoring continued at Legon and during our holidays at Hohoe, where we lived on the same street. Marlon extended his intellectual mentoring to all, especially young people whom he met. More so, he put his enormous natural intellect at the disposal of many people.
After Marlon resettled in Ghana, people came to him on several occasions just to harvest his social entrepreneurial skills and political ideas, which they later on peddled as their own. He was a magnet that attracted many young people wherever he went. He had a great ability to engage young people in intellectual and political discussions. He inspired them, so they flocked to him.
I will never forget the day I followed Marlon to the Volta Regional NPP Delegates Conference in Ho in 2014. Upon arrival at the Conference grounds, a huge crowd of young people mobbed him and repeatedly shouted his name. He was their star. Not the least surprising because Marlon was a Man of the People. He had Charisma! He always seemed to care for young people. When I informed him that I was travelling from Oslo to Milan with street-involved young Black men in a project I managed, he flew from London to Milan and spent three days with us. On another occasion, he put all the logistics in place when I travelled with another group of disadvantaged and troubled young Black men to London. On both occasions, he participated in all the activities for the young people and engaged them in deep reflections and motivational counselling, despite his health condition. Upon his advice, we registered an NGO in Ghana to work with street-involved young people and mental health issues. He was in the process of securing funding for our first project in Ghana before his untimely demise. That was how much he loved young people.
Marlon engaged with humanity through his close identification with the disadvantaged and the downtrodden, and his determination to reduce human suffering. This was his political calling throughout his life. One could see it in his actions and political ideas. He shared the little he had with the common people he mingled with, articulated a politics of upliftment and never led a pompous and alienating life. So, his charisma and appeal rested on his strong sense of justice, sociability, self-sacrifice, generosity, and genuine love for mankind.
His humour was infectious and had a soothing effect on the social atmosphere. He always had a joke up his sleeves that would cause laughter and lighten you up. Marlon graced many a party or social gathering with his presence, especially when he got on the dance floor. He earned the nickname “Sexy Marlon” because of his dancing skills.
Marlon, I am grateful to you for the boundless brotherly love and blessing you showered on me while on earth. I met my beautiful wife through you at a time when I felt so lonely after the death of my beloved mother. You went with me to meet her parents. You could not attend our wedding because you had to travel to London for medical checkup. However, we spoke several times on the phone that day. You accompanied me to my eldest son’s wedding in Obuasi. You visited and prayed at my late mother’s grave in her village. You did all that and many other things for me because you were a good friend, big brother and mentor who loved me. And I love you too, Marlon. I will always love and remember you.
Rest in peace, because you served your purpose in life. You filled your life with meaning because you affected many lives in a positive way. Death has denied you the opportunity to bring about the great changes you had in mind for the Guan District as its first DCE. Nevertheless, you made history and did your best for humanity, a feat that is worthy of emulation. Your memory will live forever. Thank you for everything and rest in perfect and everlasting peace.
TRIBUTE BY ANDY OWUSU
Fare Thee Well, Marlon – Your job is done!
I call him Sir M, and his response is Andy Gibbs…!
Marlon loved music, good music; music that tells stories about life! He knew his time on earth was short therefore had not time to hold a grudge.
I phoned him on Sunday, 15th November, 2021 – Remembrance Sunday; we discussed his first day at office which was the next day, 16th. Marlon seemed tired and when I proded he said, he was exhausted from the numerous funerals, wedding, naming ceremonies, and what not, since his confirmation, yet remained upbeat and excited about the job.
And, as if Marlon knew his fate, Marlon started a long speech acknowledging the years of our relationship thanking me endlessly about my role in his journey through to nomination and subsequent confirmation. He was optimistic that his work as DCE for the Guan District will accelerate development in the Oti Region.
Monday, 16th November was his first day in Office, not knowing it was going to be your last day….Sir M.
My friendship with Marlon goes beyond politics. It is an extension of a unique friendship between his beloved uncle Dr. David Adom and my father, Prof. J. K Osei in the 80s.
Marlon literally dragged me to my first ever meeting with the NPP in the UK in 2005, when I had just enrolled at Brunel Law School. On that ‘sorry’ Sunday, I sat quietly at the back like a Church mouse, broke free, and did not return until 2010.
For me, then, I had a lot of academic stuff on my plate, lots to read and endless exams lurking so politics, and for that matter, NPP could wait..!
Marlon knew about my unsuccessful attempt to win National Union of Ghana Students (NUGs) presidency in 2003, having lost to Chris Abotsi, after the death of the President, my bosom friend, Prince Andani in a bitter car crash, barely a month into Office.
I was disillusioned, I wanted to drop politics and focus on my studies and career but Marlon wouldn’t have it; he stimulated my interest and in 2007, I was back on Radio – Voice of Africa Radio- making a case why Nana Akufo-Addo was the right man to lead the NPP amongst the 16 other contestants. And, with Anderson, the Godfather, as host, I will debate the likes of Mr. Afum Dankwa on why Nana Akufo-Addo would be a better President than Nana Yaw Osafo Marfo, Alan Kyerematen, and others.
Fast forward 2008, I, having successfully completed the Law qualification, went back into the business of politics – in Ghana, 2008, campaigning but, sadly, we lost by 40,000 and I returned to the UK.
Marlon saw me in February 2010 at NPP-UK meeting and couldn’t hide his excitement. Per the custom, new members were always introduced at meetings. I stood up to introduce myself as new, but Marlon wouldn’t have it; he told members I wasn’t new rather a returnee. Furthermore he dragged me to the Executive Table to take minutes of the meeting.
Many were shocked and wondered, what a sacrilegious blunder – that a new member – has been dragged to the ‘high table’ to take minutes of an NPPUK meeting.
Well, in Marlon’s assessment, tasking me with minutes will prevent me from doing a runner again. Truly, that was a master stroke because I had no intention of returning. I had an established political network in Ghana and, in my mind, I didn’t need new membership to prove my loyalty to NPP. But Marlon’s ‘trick’ worked and I stayed faithful to NPP UK till date!
We struck great partnership and helped consolidate the strength of NPPUK. Together, we engineered the Akufo-Addo ladies in UK. Together Marlon, Richard Dombo and then National Youth Organiser, and currently Director General of National Lotteries Authority, Sammi Awuku, we revived Milton Keynes Chapter. There were many notable activities and family engagements that wouldn’t pass without the presence of the two, Andy and Anipa.
Marlon has survived many deaths.
In 2011, he ‘died and resurrected’ in UK after a complex heart surgery.
In 2012 he ‘died and resurrected’ in Hohoe after a marathon campaign.
In 2017 he died at the 37 Military hospital but walked back into full life after a stroke.
Maybe it was his faith to be appointed as DCE of Guan District, in fulfilment of his Oti Region Project, and then he will go to eternal rest finally.
On that account, I thank the President of the Republic, Nana Akufo-Addo, for not creating the District early and not appointing him sooner. At least, I have enjoyed a little more time with my friend, Marlon.
Today, my friend is no more; the man who helped me establish a successful business has departed. My confidant has bitten the dust; indeed, life is transient!
Marlon, if money could wake you up, I and many others herein gathered would pay that price without flinching.
Marlon’s family and mine are inextricably linked and inseparable. His children are my nephews, mine calls him uncle Marlon. We spent endless time together and celebrated festive season as one big family.
Marlon felt a great sense of loss when my mother passed away in 2019. He would call my dad regularly to check on him and we visited together whenever I was in Ghana.
Marlon’s house was my home whenever I was in Ghana. If you see Marlon you will definitely find Andy and vice versa. We buried a mutual friend, Hon. Adamu Daramani Sakande in October 2020. Today, 26th February 2022, we are sending home too.
Your death, Marlon, is a gain for the heavens and a great loss to us, mortals. You were, by all standards, a good man, a friend, a formidable anchor and a beautiful soul.
Thank you for friendship; thank you brotherhood and thanks for the many times you assisted me to shape my life and business.
Marlon, damifia due!
Fare thee well, my big brother!
Andy Owusu
TRIBUTE TO MARLON BY MICHAEL ANSAH
Today we gather to mourn Marlon, a dear friend, a husband, father and brother, and to say farewell to a son of Akpafu, one who dared to dream of a day when his people, would gain acclaim in their own inalienable right, as a proud Region of Ghana! We all will remember his passion, his unbreakable perseverance, and his unbridled zeal, to the realisation of this his long-held dream. He was a true champion of social justice, and a champion of the liberal democratic tradition that he came to embrace, and which defined his adult life!
I woke up on the morning of 16 November, 2021, to the shocking news of the passing of Marlon! Like many, I am still coming to terms with this reality. The aching pain has been unbearable, debilitating! Marlon was unique in his own way! Literally, larger than life! A man who demonstrated his dedication and commitment to everything he put his hands to, including public service!
Those of us who were privileged to know him, and who mourn his premature passing, will always cherish Marlon for the person he was – his naked loyalty and commitment to friendship, the truth he represented, the values we shared! He honed his politics in the heady days of the Students’ Movements of the 1980s. Ardent in his activism, visible at numerous political events, debating issues that defined the times. He courted leftist political ideology, as was synonymous, even trendy, in those times, before fully embracing liberal democratic ideals!
I met Marlon in the UK, in the early 1990s, around the period of the formation of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He straddled the period in NPP UK, from 1992 till 2016, and left his imprint on the affairs of the UK Branch Party. He was “schooled” under the tutelage of the JH Mensahs, Boye Ananomas, and other NPP stalwarts of that era. He held leadership positions on the Branch Executive, including Assistant Secretary, and later, Organiser. He was in many respects the
“conscience of the people”, often holding leadership to account, especially on matters of principle. He contributed massively in many ways, travelling the length and breadth of the UK, from his base in Tottenham, the Branch established Chapters, across the UK, even serving for a period as a Patron of the Milton Keynes Chapter!
When I campaigned to be Chairman of NPP UK in 2014, Marlon was at the heart of my campaign – traversing London, Milton Keynes, and even a few days on the hustings in Manchester! His vigour, enthusiasm, and sheer bravado, was a source of inspiration!
His work, catalogue of endeavours, and engagement over those years, defined his essence. Marlon was not overly attracted by the trappings of high office! He was selfless in that regard. He moved from the UK permanently, to settle back home in 2016, contesting the Hohoe parliamentary seat that year on the ticket of the NPP. He underlined his life ambition – to see the creation of the Oti Region, and the creation of the Guan District as his indelible contribution to “his people”.
On a personal note, Marlon was one who demonstrated loyalty and devotion without compromise. One whose sense of conviction, framed his thought on the many social and political issues of our day! He was passionate about his beliefs, and this resonated in his every endeavour!
To say we shall miss him, as a friend, and in the arena of politics in Ghana, is an understatement! He simply illuminated our lives. There are the many fond memories. The highs and lows of political combat! The endless, but purposeful debates! The strategies, refined, and recast. The excitement, the exuberance of execution!
Marlon, in many ways, fulfilled his one political ambition! He made sure he came to personally share the good news of his appointment as Guan District Chief Executive (DCE) by His Excellency President Nana Akufo Addo, was confirmed! His excitement – which I shared in equal measure – was palpable, but so too, was the desire to make a real difference among the people he cherished. That he was appointed the first DCE of Guan District, is a lasting tribute to the memory of a man who sacrificed much. He lived to see that day! In this, Marlon, in his own words, “made history“! This is his epitaph. Akpafu, Guan, and Oti, have lost a true son!
My deepest condolences to his dear wife Tracy, and their two sons, Kelvin and Robin. Marlon did all he was able to do, because of your love and many sacrifices. Marlon, Rest in Peace! Fare thee well!!
TRIBUTE BY JENNIFER BOADI-AMPONIM
FORMER WOMEN ORGANISER, NPPUK
You always had a smile to share you always had an advice you give. You were passionate about 3 things in your life. Family politics and friends.
You were one of the campaigners and very instrumental in the formation of the Oti region and I am glad you got to see it come to fruition and subsequently made the first CEO.
I was meant to visit but unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be.
God knows why he took at this time when all that you’ve worked for was beginning to yield results
The people of Akpafu have lost a brave citizen.
Tracy and the kids have lost a loving father and a dutiful husband.
The npp UK fraternity has lost a dedicated and a committed patriot.
Fare thee well my friend Marlon Praises Anipa. I will miss you dearly.
TRIBUTE BY DOREEN KYEREMEH
This world is not our home. We are just passing through. You passed through and left an indelible mark in our hearts.
None can compare to your commitment and selfless dedication to our NPP fraternity.
You were a loyal and true friend. You always advised and encouraged me. You directed me on my career path and I owe my success to you.
Thanks for all your kindness and support.
Gone but not forgotten.
Till we meet again.
Damirifa due, due ne amanehunu.Your dear friend,
Doreen Afrakoma Kyeremeh
Assistant Sec. NPPUK
TRIBUTE BY EFFIE GRANT (NPP-UK, SECRETARY, READING CHAPTER)
Efo Marlon, You were such a delight to meet and begin to know. I only wish I had continued to engage and gotten better at speaking Ewe, that which you kindly offered to teach me after I told you my grandma of blessed memory was my teacher.
I rooted for you and was ecstatic upon hearing of your reward after all your hard work and selfless commitment to our party and country. Efo, your passing angers and deeply saddens me. You may not have embarked on this new journey but you begun a great work, that which will leave a legacy deeply rooted in the annals of our history.
Rest well.
Efo Marlon, Akpe!
Hede nyuie!
Mia dogo!
TRIBUTE BY NAA AYELEY DOE
The righteous perishes, and no man takes it to heart; merciful men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous is taken away from evil. He shall enter into peace. They shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. Isa 57vrs 1&2
I met Anipa Kwabena as I affectionately called him in Hohoe during his campaign days and also, he spotted me in a t shirt with his face on it and asked if I knew who was in the shirt. I replied and said no but for the love of the party I’ll campaign for the candidate anyways!
We then exchanged contacts and became good friends since then. He usually encouraged me that my dreams are so achievable and can be anything I put my mind to. We lost contacts after I completed and surprisingly got back during my national service days.
Marlon would share his good and bad news with me, including the days he was admitted at both Sakumono community hospital and 37 military hospital. I visited him at both places and prayed for him to get well soon. I also visited him on other occasions at his sister’s place at Lashibi (Regimmanuel’s).
I later became his nutritionist and planned diets to help control any condition he was living with. He was a bit stubborn with complying with some of the rules but saw results with those that he complied. I also made shirts for him on some few occasions because of my tailoring background.
He would place a call whenever he needed me to run errands for him, and I gladly did anything for him. He would let me know of his plans, intentions and whereabouts or whatsoever. Marlon had a great and influential personality. He was lovely, positive, strong and a great teacher.
On the Thursday before his demise he called that he needed me to make him two shirts to wear to work so I should meet him at the mall for the fabrics and his new measurements because he’s put on weight. I was overwhelmed with work so I couldn’t meet him up. I called on that Saturday to check if he’d got something to wear but he neither answered nor returned my calls. It was so heartbreaking to receive a call on Tuesday morning that my Anipa Kwabena had passed on.
My honorable, my Englishman, my father in-law and friend, my client, Marlie Marlie, P Kwabena….. sorry okay!
May you find eternal rest in the bosom of the Lord Rest well Marlon, till we meet again.
