Tribute to late Ghanaian fashion mogul

It has taken me dark and painful days to get over the shock of Kofi Ansah's sudden death and this incredibly sad feeling that we would never, ever see Kofi's boyish face again, experience the joy of his engaging conversations or his incredibly infectious smile.
 
Last week, I innocently posted some photographs taken with him and intended to call him - maybe to catch up or simply hear his voice. But little did I know that soon his phone may ring but never would that unhurried, friendly, mischievous voice ever pick up.
 
Kofi's engaging personality spoke to his deep love for Africa. He also believed in the creative potential of its people and the urgency of getting things done. In that sense time was always of the essence for Kofi. It informed his creative mission.
 
Significantly, his passion for excellence, obvious in everything he did, especially his design collections and shows he staged, spoke to the need for Africa to deploy its rich tradition of creative design to unleash the African genius and renaissance. Kofi's work reflected this beautifully and gained both Ghanaian and international recognition as a result.
 
Kofi was immensely witty with a sharp intellect and simply fun to be with. He was at the same time also focused on his creative mission and was always determined to take African fashion to new levels. 

Kofi's impressive creative record speaks for itself. Like Ricky Osei, Kofi Ansah did for Ghanaian fashion what Kofi Antobam did for sculpture, Ephraim Amoo for traditional Ghanaian music, Kwaw Mensah for Highlife, Kwaw Ansah, his older brother for film and I know he would definitely love this, what Teacher Ansah did for Sekondi Eleven Wise. 

Farewell my big brother and walk home in triumph.
 
By Dr. Kwesi Owusu