COLTEK OPENS BOOK OF CONDOLENCES IN HONOUR OF PROF. (ING) REYNOLDS OKAI AS STAFF WEEP OVER DEATH
Crestfallen hearts, unrestrained sobs and intermittent shaking of heads in utter shock and in apparent show of disbelief were the dispositions of many a staff who attended an emergency general meeting at the College of Technology Education, Kumasi (COLTEK) on February 21, 2018 to officially break news of the passing of the Principal of the College, Prof. (Ing.) Reynolds Okai and also apprise staff of subsequent developments.
Perhaps, the posturing of the Acting College Registrar, Mr. Michael Kofi Twum-Ampomah - looking so morose in his all-black attire with a red calico tied to the left wrist and sounding so broken in his announcement - did not help matters as a number of the staff moved into tears even before he could finish the brief speech. In fact, the mood on the campus had been very sombre since February 18, 2018 when rumours of the sudden death started circulating and was so rife, particularly, on social media. From last Monday, the atmosphere at COLTEK has been one of quiet with staff generally dressing in black and red colours, perhaps to give weight to their state of mourning.
Conversations on the campus have often revolved around the shock of the death while officialdom has also been engrossed in preparations leading to the eventual burial and final funeral rites of the illustrious Professor. Narrating the circumstances that led to the demise, Mr. Twum-Ampomah said the Late Prof. Okai had traveled to China, January 13, 2018 on official duty and was suddenly taken ill on January 17, 2018. Therefore, he said the management of UEW immediately took steps to ensure that he had the best of medical attention in that country as well as flown his wife to China to take care of him.
According to him, information from China had pointed to the fact that Prof. Okai was responding favourably to treatment and that gave confidence to the leadership of the University that he would be returning to duty as quickly as practicable. “However, that was not to be when on the morning of Sunday, the shocking news of his sudden demise got to Management”, he said. He then encouraged all staff to be strong in the face of the situation and assured them that Management was in close contact with the Late Professor’s family and that anytime a concrete decision was taken concerning the One-week observance, burial and final funeral rites, they would be informed with alacrity.
Members of the College Chaplaincy Board led the staff to observe a minute’s silence in honour of the Late Professor. Meanwhile, a book of condolences has been opened to the public for signing at COLTEK in honour of the Late Prof. (Ing.) Reynolds Okai.
