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Godwin Avenorgbo, ‘The Grandmaster’, shares his 50-year-old marriage life
Mr and Mrs Avenorgbo posing for the camera after 50 years of marriage
For many married youth, one of their major challenges has always been who does what in a union.
While some men are of the view that housekeeping chores are strictly a wife’s duty and wouldn’t even lift a finger to help, some wives, on the other hand, have taken an entrenched position when it comes to paying bills of any form, namely utility bills, school fees and rent, among others.
However, Mr. Godwin Avenorgbo, a renowned media personality also known as “The Grandmaster”, has a contrary view, which he shared with The Spectator on his 50th marriage anniversary with his wife Aimee on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.
“You will be surprised to know the things I have done on a daily basis at home for 50 years without a break. Apart from carrying a baby in the womb, I do everything a woman does at home, including daily house cleaning and cooking,” he said.
The retired broadcaster said that for every marriage to be successful there was the need for couples to support each other and fill in gaps that the other spouse was not readily available to fill.
“There should be nothing like this is a woman’s role, and that is a man’s role…from the outdoor to the kitchen through the living room to the bedroom and all,” he said.
He said marriages that had travelled so many years had not been an easy journey.
Mr. Avenorgbo said the success of a marriage was a direct result of shared responsibility in every activity that added to the value of the family.
He admitted that his marriage had gone through all weathers, all seasons, downhill and uphill, but in all, it had been God, and he was very thankful to Him.
“I have a reason to count my blessings and name them one by one so we can give all the glory to Jehovah,” he said.
The marriage between Mr. and Mrs. Avenorgbo, which has produced three children made up of two sons, Chester and Jerry, and a daughter, Cleopatra, has not been an easy journey and a long story, but “my family is beautiful and blessed.”
He observed that it was uncommon to have people share their experiences in marriage, which he described as a journey with many hills and valleys, because of the fear of discouraging others from embarking on the journey. “But it can be done, and done well,” he encouraged.
Mr. Avenorgbo advised people who have the intention of getting married not to focus on physical appearances.
He explained that this was because “those things shift to the background or die as quickly as the first child is born and the focus of the husband and wife becomes more concentrated on the well-being of the child, then later education and all.”
He advised that attitude, commitment, and a hands-on approach to dealing with the basic needs of the family, should be a priority because “those are the areas in which men neglect their roles thus making women feel overburdened”.
Reminiscing the day of marriage, he said, “I was credited with eloquence of thoughtfulness and presence of mind, but the day I said “I do”, I felt so nervous that the officiating Minister had to ask me in a teasing manner, “can we hear the radio voice louder, please?” and everyone laughed, so I had to do so a second time as if I had then rehearsed a radio script properly under the supervision of the Great John Hammond.”
The couple’s children, Chester Mawuli, is a journalist, banker, and businessman; Jerry Kwashie, a lawyer; and Cleopatra Enyo, an international travel expert and French and English specialist.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has pledged to work closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to address challenges affecting the delivery of justice in Ghana.
He made this known after receiving the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who paid a courtesy call on him earlier today.
The Chief Justice was accompanied by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Gabriel Pwamang, the Acting Director of the Ghana School of Law, Professor Raymond Atuguba, and the Judicial Secretary.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, was also present at the meeting.
Dr. Forson said the Chief Justice explained that the visit was to express appreciation for the continuous support the Ministry of Finance has given to the Judiciary.
According to him, the Chief Justice raised concerns about congestion in the courts, describing it as a major challenge that affects the speedy delivery of justice.
He said several solutions are currently being considered to help reduce the pressure on the courts.
“The Chief Justice also highlighted issues regarding the working conditions of staff within the Judiciary,” Dr. Forson stated.
He assured them of his commitment to helping resolve these problems through collaboration with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.
“I am committed to working closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to tackle these challenges,” he said.
As part of the measures being considered, Dr. Forson revealed that his ministry is examining the possibility of allowing the Judiciary to use 100 percent of its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to meet urgent operational needs.
He said this move, if approved, would help improve the efficiency of the courts and enhance justice delivery across the country.
The meeting forms part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Executive and the Judiciary in addressing systemic challenges within Ghana’s justice system.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has begun talks with the family of Guinea’s first President, Sékou Touré, to take possession of the house where Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah lived and worked during his final years in exile.
The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the move follows instructions from President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the Mahama administration plans to renovate and preserve the residence in Guinea as a mark of respect for Nkrumah and to protect his legacy.
He explained that the site is expected to become part of a broader historical and tourism experience that traces Nkrumah’s life from Ghana to Guinea.
The decision was formally communicated to the Sékou Touré family on Saturday during a visit led by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
The visit took place after the investiture of Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya.
Mr Ablakwa noted that the Ghanaian delegation toured Nkrumah’s abandoned home and was warmly received by three generations of the Sékou Touré family, led by the former president’s eldest son.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently negotiating the terms and conditions of the arrangement and engaging preservation experts to handle the restoration works.
The minister assured the public that the process will be handled openly, stressing that Ghanaians will be kept informed at every stage in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was Ghana’s first President and a leading figure in Africa’s independence and Pan African movements.
His years in Guinea symbolised the strong political and ideological ties between the two countries.
By: Jacob Aggrey
