Date Published: 04/07/10

Frank Ayim Damptey buries wife on Saturday    

Come this Saturday, the 10 th of March, 2010, Mrs. Diana Ayim, wife of Frank Ayim Damptey, MD/CEO of Tata Beverages would be committed to mother earth at the Osu Cemetery.

It would be recalled that the late Diana Ayim died due to lack of attention exhibited by the staff on duty at the Maternity Department of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital on the night of Thursday, 11 th March, 2010. She was 37 years old.

It has been a long time since I saw a man cry, but the sight of Frankie (that’s what I call him) weeping uncontrollably was enough to make even the hardened criminal lose some of his/her ‘hardness’ and bring tears to his/her eyes.

“I couldn’t deliver the parcel you asked me to give to my wife”, he said in an answer to a telephone call. The children, even though are not that old, they have been supportive of their father. The oldest, Rosemary Ntiamoah Ayim (12 years old) has been playing the role of a mother to her younger siblings. She spoke lovingly of her mother.

“She was everything to all of us. She never forgot any of our birthdays”.  With tears in her eyes, she addressed her question to no one in particular: “So, I won’t see mummy again?”

The Church, especially the New Achimota Estates Presbyterian Church where the couple worship and the Israel South Presby Church where the late Diana Ayim worshipped before joining her husband at New Achimota  have been at the vanguard of the prayer warriors who take turns to pray to God to grant Mr. Ayim the fortitude to bear his loss and also for the repose of the soul of his departed wife.

At first it was difficult for him to accept the fact that his wife is no more. He was bitter. Then it turned to resignation before coming to acceptance. He has taken solace in a verse in the scriptures which says, “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Blessed be the name of the Lord”.

About his departed wife, he has this to say: “O Amma, why? We started this journey together. Why have you left me at the crossroads? You have been my compass. Now, how do I get my bearings right? Because of the children, I will live on. I assure you of one thing, Amma. I shall for ever cherish the sunshine you brought into my life. You were like a candle light. You‘ve gone too soon! Gone too soon! Oh Amma, why? Rest in the bosom of our Lord, till we meet to part no more”.

Meanwhile, friends, kinsmen and business associates of Mr. Franklin Ayim Damptey have promised to render the necessary help to enable the later give his wife a befitting burial. Some marketers and distributors of alcoholic beverages in Kumasi have decided to relocate to Accra during the entire duration of the burial and funeral rites. The group led by Obolo, Odasani, Abenaa Antwiwaa, Alice Kwakyewaa, John Brown and Nyame ne me Boafo described the late Diana Ayim as a great woman. They also have some very nice words for the surviving spouse, Frank Ayim Damptey. “He is a kind of person you would like to listen to for hours without getting bored. He doesn’t get angry no matter how much you attempt to provoke him”.  He has been honest in his business dealings with us. So, if he has lost his wife, friend and confidante, the best we can do is to show solidarity with him. We won’t leave him to suffer alone in his moment of sadness. We shall storm the venue of the burial and funeral rites in our numbers, Insha Allah”, said Obolo, the spokesperson for the Kumasi Group. 

The Abomoso Youth Association, of which Mr. Ayim Damptey is the Chief Patron, would also not be outdone by others. It has chattered one Kufuor bus to convey its members from Abomoso and Sankubenase to Accra for the burial and funeral rites. It has also appealed to the numerous sons and daughters of Abomoso, Sankubenase and Asamama resident in Accra and Tema to participate fully in the burial and funeral activities.

Old Abuscodians, an association of past students of Abuakwa State College, Kibi has also expressed its readiness to assist in various ways to give the departed wife of their staunch member a befitting burial. Mr. Frank Ayim Damptey is the Vice President of the Association. Mr. Apeanyoh, President of the Association recounted the many contributions of his Deputy to the association. He said the least the Association could do is to show solidarity with Mr. Ayim by being there in their numbers. He also stated that the funeral will offer an opportunity to fraternize with all Yaanom and he vowed to take full advantage of occasion.

Others who have called to express their condolences and readiness to be part of the burial and funeral programme include Sunil Wadhani of Kanem Industries, Ebow Botwe of Poly Products, George Prah - President of Full Gospel Business Association, Yaw Nkrumah - Adwumawura of Hot FM,  D.S.P. Agyenim Boateng, Divisional Commander of Akuapim Mampong Police Command, Mr. Agyemang (Old Burger), Major Twum Ampofo of 37 Military Hospital and Mrs. Matilda Offei of the Ghana Medical School, Korle-Bu.     

Meanwhile feverish preparations are being put in place to ensure a fitting and decent burial for the late Diana Ayim. A programme released by the family of the deceased and the husband is as follows:

The body will be laid in state for Pre-Burial Service and public viewing between the hours of 7.00 am and 8.30 on Saturday, 10 th April, 2010 at House Number 12, Israel Junction near Florensa Hotel. It will then be conveyed to the New Achimota Estates Presbyterian Church for the Funeral Service and then to The Osu Cemetery for interment.

The Funeral rites will hold at the Cosmos School Park, New Market near Lapaz from 12.00 noon to 6.00pm on Saturday, 10 th April, 2010. Thanksgiving Service takes place on Sunday, 11 th April, 2010 at New Achimota Estates Presbyterian Church at 9.00am. The funeral rites will continue after Church Service on Sunday at House Number 12, Israel Junction, near Florensa Hotel.

According to Messrs William Gyasi Damptey and Tony Ayim (Uncle Tony) Joint chairpersons of the burial and funeral planning committee, a Book of Condolence will be opened at the funeral grounds (Cosmos Park) and the residence of the bereaved husband (House Number 12, Israel Junction) on Saturday, 10 th April,2010 and Sunday, 11 th April, 2010 respectively.

The late Diana Ayim was a native of Gyakiti in the Akwamu Traditional Area and Larteh-Akwapim. The husband, Frank Ayim Damptey is a junior brother of Daniel Danquah Damptey, a regular columnist of most private newspapers in the country and some web sites.

Daniel Danquah Damptey (danieldanquah_damptey@yahoo. com)