Celebraing Mr R. Kwamena Von Ballmooss
"Death is certain but its timing is uncertain"
I quite remember, when my Mum was alive, his name being mentioned on several occasions at home. I did not quite pay attention what the connection was between my Mum and Mr Ballmoos, however two years ago our paths crossed through my cousin Jonathan Lartey. My first meeting with Mr Ballmoos was in his office when his wife Jocelyn took me up to his office on the fifth floor of Provident Towers at Circle. Our first meeting was just an introduction and small chit chat here and there, so I did not spend much time with him as my reason for being at Provident Towers was to chat with his wife. My second visit to him was more detailed. I had been asked to give him a parcel from the UK. The parcel was a special one. It was a diamond encrust watch which was going to be presented to his wife as a present. Obviously he did not want his wife to know about this so I called him when I arrived in Ghana and arranged a convenient day for me to "sneak" into his office without his wife knowing. My second encounter with Mr Ballmoos was more eventful. This time we had a good chat. Such a pleasant man. During the our chat, he mentioned that he attended Achimota School, and that was when the penny dropped. My late Mum also attended Achimota School. This would have been around the same year Mr Ballmoos attended this school. I would have loved to spend more time talking to him, but I was travelling to Tamale the next day and needed to go home and get my stuff ready for my trip. I informed Mr Ballmoos that I wanted to leave and he kindly gave me GHC100.00. I initially refused to accept the money, however he insisted saying that I was travelling and needed the money.
Mr Ballmoos passed away on the 25th of August this year. His funeral service was held today at the Roman Ridge Church in Accra. The funeral service started at 8.30AM. I got to the Ridge Church in Accra at 7.30AM. I wanted to make sure that I got a good seat, considering the fact that he was a very popular man, this meant that being late would mean settling for a seat outside the church under a canopy.
The funeral service was excellent. I enjoyed it. Apparently Mr Ballmoos loved singing hymns, I therefore guess the one selected for the service were his favourite ones. Just a guess. The order of service booklet was beautifully done. I appreciate that a lot of effort was put into this. The service was coordinated by Rev. Cannon John Nelson. The sermon for the service was given by Rt. Rev Col. John Otoo, he got everyone laughing with his witty jokes and stories.