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Meet Mrs. Victoria Nyamapho Zormelo Paintsil – woman of substance, retired educationist and chorister at age 90

● Mrs Paintsil in her prime

Senior citizens say “old people are just young people who have been alive for a very long time and that the longer you live, the more beautiful life becomes.”

These expressions, to a great extent, suit Mrs. Victoria Nyamapho Zormelo Paintsil, a retired educationist and an accomplished woman who is grateful to God for sustaining granting her strength for nine decades and still counting.

Mrs. Victoria Nyamapho Zormelo Paintsil

Unusual of nonagenarians like her, she has never been on any medication for diabetes or hypertension. She has all her senses intact, able to walk, talk and read without spectacles.

Her “only physical challenge” is a chronic osteoarthritis which she says “cannot even stop” her from “climbing the staircase to robe in the choir or to dance.”

Prior to celebrating her 90th anniversary on August 4, 2022, she had written an autobiography she describes as “a true reflection of her character and personality.”

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Background

Mrs Paintsil, in an interview with The Spectator last Friday, touched on aspects of her life and career, her personal values and some nuggets of wisdom she believes should guide young people in the journey of life.

Born on Thursday, August 4, 1932, to Madam Emelia Akoeley Zormelo and Togbi Godfred Nyavor Zormelo of Tegbi in the Volta Region, she had 18 paternal siblings made up of 11 males and seven females.

According to her, her mother was returning from Togo to Saltpond in the Central Region when she went into labour whilst on transit at Nsawam in the Eastern Region.

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“Being a traditional birth attendant, my mother delivered by herself and brought the baby to Saltpond the next day on board a wooden truck by name “Accra Bode.” My father, therefore, nick-named me “Bode” after the truck which conveyed me to Saltpond.

“As the last born of my parents, I was pampered and equally disciplined. I suffered and endured a lot of knocks on my head because I was very naughty,” she recounted in her biography.

Education

Mrs Paintsil and her late husband Mr. Ebenezer Ayew Atta Paintsil

The mother of five attended T.I Ahmadiyya School at Saltpond and completed Standard Seven with distinction in 1949 as the only girl in a class of 30 pupils.

In 1956, she enrolled at the Emergency Training College at Saltpond for six weeks as a Pupil Teacher Trainee and was subsequently appointed a Pupil Teacher at Kormantse Methodist Primary School.

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After obtaining Teachers Certificate ‘A’ at Wesley College, Kumasi in 1960, she was posted to Saltpond Methodist Middle School at Appiakwaa where she started as a Junior Teacher and rose through the ranks until her retirement in the year 2000 as a Principal Superintendent.

While teaching at Kormantse Methodist Primary School, she got married on September 16, 1962, to Mr. Ebenezer Ayew Atta Paintsil, who encouraged her to choose teaching as a profession but her husband passed away on August 13, 2011, after nearly 50 years of marriage.

Values

Mrs Paintsil with some of her children

Highlighting some of her personal values, the outspoken grandmother now the only surviving child of her parents, said she respected everybody and did not envy or hold grudges against anybody.

“I don’t think I have a grudge with anybody. If you do something I don’t like I tell you instantly.  I tell people that everybody is unique in their own way so nobody should look down or discriminate against the other.

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“I spend time thinking about God instead of being bitter or holding grudges against people. If I hold iniquities in my heart, God will not answer my prayers,” she noted.

This and many other attributes, she believes, account for the many years of blessings she continues to enjoy on earth.

Teaching

Mrs Paintsil, with over 40 years teaching experience, said she was “born to be a teacher because she loves talking and disciplining people.”

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Her career took her to Methodist Middle School Saltpond (1960-1969); Kormantse Methodist Primary School (1969-1992); Kormantse Hasowodze D/C Primary School (1992-1996) and Kormantse Methodist Primary School (1996-2000).

Some of her pupils, she said, included Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng (Asabee), Chief Executive of SIGA; Nana Kwame Ayim, Adontenghene of Mankessim Traditional Area, and Mr Lious Turkson, a banker.

A good instruction she always gave her pupils, according to her, was the need to be cautious of personal conduct in the midst of a crowd.  She said the fact that “you are in a crowd does not mean you can misbehave or do bad things and get away with it.”

“You must not forget you are an individual and when you are caught acting wrongly among the crowd, you will be on your own,” she stressed.

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Christian life

● Mrs Paintsil in her prime

As a staunch member of the Saltpond Wesley Methodist Church, she became a chorister in 1949 and served in various capacities, as a Treasurer, Lay Reader and Representative of the Choir at Leaders Meetings.

The disciplinarian who loves reading and having good conversations said she would want to be remembered as a “fearless, outspoken, forthright, and a happy-go-lucky person.”

“I don’t know who my enemies are and I do not hate anybody,” she stressed. She has, therefore, instructed her family not to prescribe any funeral cloth when she departs for the world of her ancestors.

She said everybody should “come in all-white or any black and white presentable attire, have fun, be glad in the Lord, and release a lot of white balloons.”

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Mrs Paintsil has 14 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Her children are Paapa Paintsil, a Sports Consultant; Madam Jane Paintsil, an Educational Consultant; Mr. Felix Paintsil, Healthcare and Biomedical Practitioner; Mr. Ben Paintsil of Currier and Bulk Haulage Consultancy — all of them based in the United States of America, and Dr. Victor Paintsil, Dental Surgeon at Tarkwa Municipal Hospital in the Western Region.

Her siblings include Mrs. Victoria Zormelo-Gorleku, the first female Director of the Ghana Prisons Service; Rev. Sir George Zormelo, Jane Adakyivor Zormelo (all deceased) and many others.

By Ernest Nutsugah

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From passion to plate: Chichi Yakubu’s culinary journey

Chichi and family
Chichi and family

Driven by her personal weight loss journey and passion for healthy eating, Chichi Yakubu has carved a niche for herself in the culinary industry.

Her dedication and commitment has turned her business, NyoNyo Essentials, to one of Ghana’s most sought-after catering companies in the country.

Born to a Nigerian father and a Ghanaian mother, Chichi grew up in a family of passionate women at Mamprobi Polytechnic.

Her mother, an avid cook, started a small catering business, which Chichi helped manage during vaca­tions.

“From upper primary through to Junior High School, I will close from school to go and help my mother at her small food stand at Sakaman to do the dishes after her customers had eaten.

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Her mother was known for her special dough Banku with Okro soup. Her small food joint ex­panded to become a chop bar where she worked at when on vacations.

She acknowledged that, “this early exposure to entrepreneurship sparked my interest in the culinary industry.”

After her university education, Chichi embarked on a weight loss journey, which led her to explore the culinary side of things.

According to Chichi, her weight loss journey began after she real­ised in her late teens her family struggle with weight.

“I wasn’t going to just allow it but someway, somehow, I started gaining so much weight in my early twenties and I decided to take ac­tion by changing my lifestyle by eat­ing healthy and exercising. That’s what got me interested in meal prepping which eventually became my side hustle,” she narrated.

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Chichi later discovered the business potential of healthy food and decided to pursue it. Also her friends were curious about her weight loss strategies, which inspired her to offer meal-prep services at a fee.

With a bold vision and determina­tion, Chichi started small, offering sandwiches, salads, and smoothies.

Leveraging social media market­ing, she reached a wider audience and grew her business rapidly.

Today, Chichi is the Chief Execu­tive Officer of Nyonyo Essential, a business that has expanded to cater for weddings, parties, and corpo­rate events with her team providing excellent service, and word-of-mouth referrals have helped her expand her client base.

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Again, Chichi has also opened kitchen centres in selected areas, providing healthy food options to Ghanaians.

She mentioned that, her mother has been her number one supporter saying “she had the blue print handed down to me. I started my business in her kitchen, and she also spared me some of her workers when the new people I had hired didn’t show up.

“My then boyfriend and now husband believed in me even when I was not sure to do it full time as I was in cor­porate Ghana and not doing bad.”

Chichi said one of her biggest challenges was staff retention, adding that she was of the opinion that the work itself was not much of a challenge but the people.

The other thing was stereotyping, saying that, “some years back people look down on food business op­erators, we were not regarded as profes­sionals with others assuming we are school dropouts or just people who don’t know what we are about.”

But I was determined to change that narrative by handling work with the outmost professionalism, which I have since the beginning of my weight loss journey in 2014.

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Chichi is motivated by her faith in Christ, her passion for entrepre­neurship, and her commitment to empowering women.

As a wife, mother, and business owner, she strives to create a bal­ance that reflects her vision of an all-rounded woman.

In business, she emphasised, her drive comes from a deep love for the hospitality industry and a desire to help others succeed through the business of catering by NyoNyo, saying that, “My belief that Jesus is Lord guides my decisions, ensur­ing that integrity, excellence, and purpose shape both my life and business.”

She urged young people, espe­cially young women, who are just starting out in their careers or en­trepreneurial journeys to believe in themselves, trust God’s timing, and be willing to put in the work.

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Chichi and family having fun at the beach

Moreover, she said “success does not happen overnight, so stay consistent, be patient, and keep learning. Surround yourself with the right people, mentors, peers, and a support system that challenges and encourages you.”

“Opportunities don’t pause for perfection. While we overthink, others take action. Start where you are, with what you have. The world moves fast—so should we,” – Chichi Yakubu advised

She again added that women should embrace their multifacet­ed roles without guilt saying “you can be an entrepreneur, a wife, a mother, and a sister’s keeper all at once. Most importantly, stay true to your values and never compromise on integrity. Let your journey reflect both purpose and excellence.”

Chichi Yakubu

Chicihi loves to spend quality time away from the noise of life in new places or go on an adventure with her family and friends.

She is a product of Christian home school, Okuapeman secondary, Cen­tral University College and Harvard University.

By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu

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Patriotism, sacrifice and service — the veterans’ perspective

For men and women with battlefield experience, patriotism, sacrifice, and service are not just abstract ideas, they are lived experi­ences deep-rooted in hardship and sustained endurance in the line of duty.

Such lifelong duty goes be­yond the uniform to include the values of duty, honour, and commitment, long after active military service.

Ex Lance-Corporal Wisdom Edmund Kudowor

Such has been the life of Ex Lance-Corporal Wisdom Edmund Kudowor, a 97-year-old World War Two (WWII) Veteran, who volunteered for recruitment in 1943 at the age of 15.

He was to be trained and enrolled as a soldier and tradesman for the Artisan Work Company of the then Gold Coast Regiment.

Though looking frail currently after a few days of head surgery, the ex-ser­viceman’s ability to recall his past experiences was excep­tional.

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Ex-Lance-Cpl Kudowor lived in an era that saw many young Africans recruited and conscripted to fight for their colonial masters in a war that ravaged half of Europe and claimed al­most 85 million lives.

In a brief yet straight to the point interaction with the Ghana News Agency, he expressed no regret in volunteering, despite the immi­nent danger and harrowing stories about WWII back then.

More sur­pris­ing was his nonchalant atti­tude towards the fact that he was not put on pension immediately after service. He expressed no bitterness nor pain.

He returned to the Gold Coast in 1946 after four years of service without any bene­fits, not until two years ago when he began receiving an annually paid British grant, which was recently increased to 1,350 pounds sterling.

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Though the grant did not match the sacrifice, “it is still better than nothing,” he said. Despite his past experiences, the old veter­ans’ patriotism, sacrifice and service did not wane after his return in 1946, at age 18, to the then Gold Coast.

Captain Ben Edmund Duah (Rtd)

He gained scholarship to further his education (both home and abroad) and with the knowledge acquired, he served his country for almost half a century, first as a pupil teacher, and rising to be­come the Headmaster of the Kpando Technical Institute. He headed other educational institutions and retired as a civil servant.

The veteran was not hap­py about the decline in patriotism and sacrifice, especially among young people in contem­porary Ghana.

Listening attentively due to a hearing challenge, the frail-looking veteran pointed to the attitude of the current generation, most of whom were unwilling to go the extra mile to support their country.

He expressed worry over their focus on immediate gains and monetary rewards for little services rendered.

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His observation was cor­roborated by Captain Ben Ed­mund Duah (Rtd), a veteran, who began his service with the Field Engineer Regiment soon after being commis­sioned at age 24 as a young officer in the early 1970s.

The retired Army Captain, who once served with the Delta Company of the Five Battalion of Infantry (5BN) among other positions, said: “Patriotism is non-existent in today’s Ghana, unlike our time when we took pride in openly exercising these values.” He, however, did not entirely blame the youth for not exhibiting such traits.

Capt. Duah (Rtd) attribut­ed the seeming non-patriot­ism by the youth to the strug­gles they see the veterans go through just to survive, after sacrificing for humanity.

The needs and concerns of patriots and forerunners, particularly veterans in Ghana, were largely unmet, compared to other countries, he said.

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“The veterans brought honour to our colonial masters and by extension to Ghana. They were not given what they were promised. Right now, the British Gov­ernment gives them some support and that is what sus­tains a lot of them.” Captain Ben Duah stressed the ur­gency for the country to pay more attention to the con­cerns and needs of veterans.

“We should see them as people who voluntarily decided to sacrifice their lives for us. If anybody does this for you, you should be fair enough to look at his interest…these are people who have devoted their lives to save us, therefore we should be nice to them in the form of caring for them,” he noted.

When asked for their opin­ion on many of the youth try­ing to seek greener pastures abroad due to their lack of confidence in the economy, Capt Duah and L/Cpl Kudow­or both agreed that Ghana was still worth sacrificing for, despite the challenges.

Captain Duah, who served during an era awash with military coups d’etats, urged Ghanaians to respect, recog­nise and be willing to support veterans because govern­ment could not shoulder the responsibility alone.

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“Citizens should realise that these are people who, some time ago, in their youthful years, sacrificed their precious lives to save others…We expect that as veterans, people will respect and admire them for their values and bravery,” he said.

“I will advise the youth to utilise existing opportunities as a means to serve Ghana. Service to the country, I be­lieve, should be the youths’ primary goal”, Ex L/Cpl Kudowor said.

The two justified the con­tinuous celebration of Veter­ans Day on the 28 of February as a step in the right direc­tion.

This serves as a platform for the youth to learn about the three values of patriot­ism, service and sacrifice, the history behind the celebra­tion and the need to respect veterans.

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On February 28, 1948, Veterans of World War II, who had fought with the Gold Coast Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force, organised a peaceful demon­stration, marching to the Christainborg Castle at Osu in Accra, the capital of the Gold Coast, to hand a peti­tion to the colonial governor, demanding their end of war benefits, which they had been promised.

Before reaching the castle, the veterans were ordered to disperse by the colonial police chief. When they refused, he opened fire on them, instantly killing three of the ex-servicemen – Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe, and Private Odartey Lamptey.

The 28 February Cross­roads Shooting is commem­orated every year to honour the veterans for their sacri­fice to the country.

—GNA

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