Tribute by Mawuli Tse

Tribute to Patrick Nutor
from Mawuli Tse

There are some friendships that stand beyond space and time, and my friendship with Patrick was one of those. No matter how long it was since we saw each other, we would reconnect like it was yesterday. I have that feeling now, but sadly this time there will be no reconnection.

Patrick and I first met in Boston as students during the late ‘80s. It was an exciting time, with a lot of Ghanaian and other African students interacting all across the northeastern US, from New York through Massachusetts to Maine. We had heard about this Motown guys at Dartmouth who played American football. What? Something must be wrong with him, we thought.

Our paths crossed in and out from then on, with a small number of us deciding to return home to Ghana in the mid-90s. They included Vincent Adzovie, Nana Fredua Ofori-Atta, Nii Moi Thompson, and later John Ofori-Tenkorang by way of South Africa. We the “home crowd” kept in close contact with the rest of the group that settled in the US, and we would always seek each other out on both sides of the Atlantic.

Patrick was the center of many of these interactions, hosting countless gatherings at New Year’s and other holidays, but many a time for no reason at all. His hospitality was legendary, and he seemed happiest with many friends and relatives around him. Many business ideas and relationships were built in those afternoons and late nights thanks to our host Patrick.

On a more personal level, Patrick and I shared a common entrepreneurial spirit, both working to build businesses in the tough environment we have in Ghana. We traded stories of how hard it was to survive when you want to do things the right way, and we would show each other some new contact we found to get things to work well in various aspects of our business. In time our families also drew close as we started off with our children at similar ages.

He was not necessarily the one to come asking for your problems, but he would always listen when approached. Patrick would happily offer suggestions, and often went beyond that to make a few calls that would free up a sticky problem. One of his strengths was in his relationships and the amount of goodwill he had to get some needed favors done.

We could look back and wish we had made more time for each other, or look back and be grateful that we had such good times to spend together. For me, the memories will be cherished for a lifetime, and I’m glad to have benefited from having you as a friend and brother.

On behalf of thy family and the Boston crew, I wish you good rest. To Lynda, Sefakor, Klenam, and Auntie Georgina, take heart. We are thankful you made his life whole.

Komla, Hede Nyuie.

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The Unexpected

Let’s not follow rumors and conspiracies
Let’s not just rely on vitamins, herbs and steam
Let’s not run after magic foods with funny pH numbers

What they are trying to do is shake your confidence in science
For science is always questioning itself, trying to replace doubts with evidence
Conspiracies only question things but do not offer any new answers
Except that you should not trust what your eyes are seeing

That is the purpose of what we are seeing today
Bill Gates, Vaccines, 5G, mainstream media, QAnon, and more
What answers do they give except to breed mistrust and hate?
The information age has become an age of confusion

Let’s stick with what we know
Stay home. Keep your distance
Wear your mask. Wash your hands

Turn off the AC. Open the windows
And yes, when there is a vaccine, take it
Because when it hits home, that means it’s too late.

RIP Patrick, my dear friend and brother. Gone forever is that belly laugh, those squinty eyes, and that sharp intellect. You were the giant who embraced the world and made it a happier place for everyone you touched. I don’t even know how to miss you.

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