There are moments in life for which no amount of preparation is ever enough. Today is one of those moments. We stand before family, friends, colleagues, and the Church with hearts filled with both sorrow and gratitude. Our hearts are heavy because we have lost a father whose presence brought strength, wisdom, and security into our lives. We are deeply grateful because God blessed us with the extraordinary privilege of calling Dr. Stephen Bismark Amponsah our father. To many, he was an accomplished educator, a transformational leader, an Executive Director, an Area Deacon, a mentor, and a nation builder. But to us, he was simply Daddy. He was a man whose greatest sermons were not preached from a pulpit but were quietly demonstrated through the way he lived every single day.

Daddy believed that leadership begins at home. He often showed us that before one can influence a nation, one must first influence one's family. Looking back today, we realize that our home was his first classroom, and we were his first students. He never merely told us to love God—he showed us how. From an early age, he encouraged us to serve in the Lord's vineyard. He introduced us to church activities, including choir, church drama, and Bible quizzes, helping us understand that faith was not just something we professed but something we actively lived. He never merely spoke about integrity—he lived it. He never merely encouraged discipline—he practised it. Daddy was a firm disciplinarian, but today we understand that every correction was rooted in love, every expectation was born from hope, and every sacrifice was made because he wanted us to become better people. Every Sunday, attending church was never a question. Whether we were at home or travelling, worshipping God was a way of life. Today, many of us continue the same tradition in our own homes, not because we were forced to, but because Daddy planted those seeds of faith in us.

Music filled our home, but it was music that lifted our hearts toward God. The songs that echoed through our house were worship songs, hymns of hope, and melodies that pointed us to Christ. His rich tenor voice often joined those songs and little did we know that he was planting seeds that would continue to grow in his children.

Today, our love and support for music in the Church are part of the inheritance he left us. One of the greatest gifts Daddy gave us was a life-guiding Scripture. From the first day we left home for senior high school until this very day, he constantly reminded us of the words in Ephesians 5:15–16:"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."Daddy did not only ask us to memorize this Scripture; he lived by it. Those words became deeply rooted in our hearts and have guided our decisions, shaped our values, and influenced the way we approach life.

Whenever we face difficult choices, those words remind us to choose wisdom over foolishness, purpose over distraction, and faith over fear. Today, as we honour his memory, we are comforted that his lessons did not end with his passing. They continue through us. Every time we choose integrity, wisdom, service, and faithfulness, we continue the legacy he intentionally built. Thank you, Daddy, for giving us not only your love but also God's Word to guide our steps. We will cherish it, live by it, and pass it on to generations after us.

Education was another language through which Daddy expressed his love. He believed that knowledge opened doors that no one could shut. Whether you were his wife, his child, or someone privileged to live under his care, he encouraged excellence and continuous learning.Even during his illness, while confined to his bed, Daddy encouraged us to pursue further education and develop ourselves to become more competitive in our various fields. He celebrated achievement, encouraged curiosity, and reminded us that learning should never end.Looking at the educational journeys each of us has taken, we see his fingerprints everywhere.Yet, despite his remarkable accomplishments, Daddy remained one of the humblest people we have ever known.

Daddy served his country faithfully throughout his career as a public servant and eventually rose to the position of an institutional head. However, beyond his achievements, what truly defined him was his integrity. He often reminded us that he had opportunities to enrich himself through dishonest means, but he deliberately chose a different path. He believed that ill-gotten wealth would bring shame and consequences, not only to him but also to future generations. Instead, he lived by the principle that “a good name is better than great riches.”

Daddy was content with the honest income he earned through years of dedicated service. He was never driven by greed or the desire for possessions beyond what he could rightfully obtain. He taught us that success means very little if it is not built on character. He taught us:
- To work hardNever to give up
- To honour our word
- To serve others
- To value people above possessions
- Above all, to love Jesus Christ wholeheartedly

Even during his final years, he reflected on these choices with peace. He would say that had he compromised his integrity, he would have spent his later years living in fear and regret. Instead, he enjoyed the priceless gift of a clear conscience. One lesson he repeated often remains with us: “If you have nothing to eat, drink water and go to sleep—you will not die.”To Daddy, temporary hardship was always better than gaining comfort through dishonesty.

Although Daddy led national institutions and held positions of great responsibility, he never allowed success to change the humble person he was. He believed that no honest work was beneath anyone.

Even today, his carpenter's tools remain carefully preserved, reminding us that true greatness is not measured by titles or positions but by character, humility, and the willingness to serve. Daddy was also a man of strong convictions. Alcohol never became part of our family culture. Throughout his distinguished career, he received many hampers containing bottles of wine and spirits, yet they remained unopened.

Those bottles were never a symbol of wealth or status; rather, they became a quiet testimony of his discipline and his commitment to the principles he chose to live by. His shelves were filled with professional books, Christian literature, and numerous study Bibles, reflecting the two passions that defined much of his life: the pursuit of knowledge and the pursuit of God. He remained both a lifelong learner and a faithful disciple until the very end. Even during his illness, his hunger for God's Word never faded. While confined to his bed, one of the things he requested was a new Life Application Study Bible. He wanted to use every moment he had to deepen his understanding of Scripture.

Even in his weakest moments, his focus was not only on himself. He desired to continue growing spiritually so that he could encourage and bless others who visited him. That was Daddy. He believed that every season of life was an opportunity to draw closer to God and to be a blessing to others.

Although his work took him across Ghana and beyond, Daddy never returned home empty-handed. Every journey ended with thoughtful gifts, foodstuffs, and fresh farm produce for the family. Those simple acts reminded us that love is often expressed not through grand gestures, but through consistent acts of care and provision. He had a way of making us feel remembered, even when he was far away. From sending us cards on our special days and singing for us on the phone when he almost missed those special moments.

Daddy's love was seen in the little things. We will miss our family outings to the beach, the laughter we shared, and the precious moments we spent together. We will miss the times he brought us hot meals during visiting hours at our schools, making sure that even while we were away from home, we still felt his love and presence. We will remember the season when Mummy was pursuing further studies, and we stayed with Daddy in Accra. During that time, he patiently taught us practical life skills, even something as simple as preparing soup. Those moments were more than lessons—they were expressions of love, responsibility, and family.

We will always remember that Daddy never missed our graduations. No matter the distance or demands of life, he was present to celebrate our achievements because our success brought him joy.Whenever any of us faced an accident or emergency, Daddy was always our first call. We knew he would come without hesitation. Whenever the rains caught us unexpectedly, we had the assurance that Daddy would come to pick us up, no matter where we were. These moments may seem ordinary, but together they tell the story of a father who loved deeply, gave selflessly, and was always present.

We will miss the weekend calls asking us to come home just to trim your nails. We will miss the moments you called and asked us to bring you something specific, even though you could have easily done it yourself. Today, we understand that many times it was not really about the item you requested. It was about wanting to see us, spend time with us, and enjoy our presence.

We will treasure those final days when you asked us to come home and stay with you. We will miss the songs you sang from your bed, the conversations we shared, the laughter, the prayers, and the simple joy of being close to you. We will miss the little acts of service you requested from us—moments that we now realize were precious gifts. At the time, we did not know those would become our final memories together.

If we had known, perhaps we would have stayed a little longer, listened a little more carefully, and treasured every second even more. But we are grateful to God that He allowed us those moments. Today, those memories are priceless treasures. They remind us not only of how much we loved you, but also of how deeply you loved us. Thank you, Daddy, for making ordinary moments extraordinary.

In these last few years, we came to know you in an even deeper way. We treasured every conversation, every visit, and every word of wisdom you shared with us. You guided us on how to nurture our marriages, build meaningful lives, and raise the children God has entrusted to us. Those conversations have become some of our most precious memories, and we will carry them with us always. Daddy, we will forever cherish the prayers you prayed over us, our spouses, our children, and even generations yet unborn. Your blessings, encouragement, and unwavering faith continue to strengthen us. We will miss your wisdom. We will miss your prayers. We will miss your songs. We will miss your laughter. We will miss your quiet strength and the reassurance that everything would somehow be alright because Daddy was there.

Today, as we reflect on your remarkable life, we recognize that your greatest legacy is not found only in the positions you held, the awards you received, or the institutions you helped transform. Your greatest legacy is found in the lives you shaped. It is found in the values you planted. It is found in the faith you passed on. It is found in the family you loved. It is found in the generations that will continue to benefit from the lessons you taught us.

Thank you, Daddy, for showing us how to live.
Thank you for showing us how to serve.
Thank you for showing us how to lead.
Thank you for showing us how to trust God.
Above all, thank you for showing us what it truly means to be a Christian father.

Though our hearts ache because you are no longer physically with us, we do not grieve without hope. We are comforted by the assurance that the Christ you loved, served, and proclaimed throughout your life has welcomed you home. Your race has been completed. Your labour has ended. Your faithful service has been rewarded. Daddy, you fought the good fight. You finished your race. You kept the faith. Your life has left an indelible mark on ours, and by God's grace, we will honour you by living according to the values you faithfully taught us. We will carry your name with pride. We will carry your lessons with gratitude. We will carry your faith with commitment.Rest peacefully, Daddy. Until we meet again in the presence of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, know that you are forever loved, forever honoured, and forever remembered.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
— 2 Timothy 4:7

Forever loved, forever Honoured, forever remembered