OUR GRATITUDE

My hectic schedule over the last ten years forced me to postpone finishing this book, until a pandemic across the world shut down everything from businesses and airlines, to international borders. Unable to travel, I was locked halfway around the world, with my manuscript and my editor, and no choice but to complete the book. And by God’s grace, I did. 

I wish to thank above all, my God whose matchless blessing has guided my every step for nearly 80 years. It has been very humbling to share the words sealed in my memory, but every one of them reminds me of a God who knows His children intimately and cares about our every moment.

Writing this book has been exhilarating because, in a way, it has given me a chance to relive an amazing journey that God has seen me through. I have so many people to thank, for their friendship, collaboration, and support, and many more without whose talents my world would have been much different. I was bound to forget the names of many remarkable individuals with whom I worked,  across Ghana, Africa, Europe, America, and other places, some as long as 50 years ago. I hope you know I appreciated every one of you.

Reverend C.B. Sercombe planted a vision in a 16-year-old boy and not a day goes by without my being grateful for kindness that turned out to be the starting point for my future. 

To Asantehene Nana Opoku Ware and Asantehene Nana Osei Tutu II, a very special thank you for their unwavering support to my work with both Darko Farms and Assemblies of God church since the 1960s. I am truly honoured by Otumfuo’s support for GILLBT’s Bible translation work, and for a leadership that inspires and leaves a legacy for a people.

Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International will always be a special part of my life. I met terrific businessmen and Christian leaders who inspired me a great deal. People like Joseph Kwaku Kwao, D.W. Amoah, Modupe Tilapiers, Nana Kwasi Amoakohene, Gracien Desouza, Kofi Essaw, Kwakugan Apaloo, Michael Kayembe Wadikonda, Jose Pascua, Victor Jocktane, Simon Nyandwi, Reverend Alfred Nyamekye, George Prah, Tony Fosu, and Richard Shakarian; my heartfelt thanks to all of them. For Demos and Rose Shakarian, I will always be grateful for a wonderful friendship.

I extend my appreciation to President John Agyekum Kufuor, President Nana Akufo-Addo, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, Dr. Babacar Ndiaye, Senator Jim Inhofe, Pat Robertson, Richard O’Donnell, Chris Crane, David Simms, Professor Stephen Adei, Dr. Werede Vogel, and Charlie Duke. I am deeply indebted to many of the kind teachers of the many lessons that served me so well.
A few years ago, Katie Smith Millway shared my story with the world with the One Hen children’s book, and I am very thankful for her support and for introducing both children and adults to the power of social entrepreneurship.

The world is a much better place because of remarkable leaders like Al Whittaker, Paris Reidhead, Jack Delaney, Jim Bergman, Mike Brazel, Peter King, Dr. Peter Boelens, David Bussau, David Freeman, Larry Reed, Lee Coleman, Reinhard Bonkke, Morris Cerullo, Reverend Long Fox, and Reverend Gyan Fosu. All of them helped me paint fresh perspectives about life and faith, and I am especially grateful for their generously pouring their wisdom into my life.

I had the pleasure of knowing Reverend Nicholas Opuni, Reverend Arthur and Doris Hokett, Mark Powers, Warren Weinstein, Cary Summers, Professor Emmanuel Larbi, Ebo Hewton, Kwame Boateng, Lawyer Kwame Kodua, Isaac Antwi, Kojo Amponsah Effah, Dr. Oduro Boateng, Martin Asamoah–Manu, Reverend Baffuor Adu Gyamfi, Paul Opoku-Mensah, Obe Kumb Mbadinga, Ahmed Adjei, and Kevin Callwood. They all had incredible personal stories that served as a reminder of the places and people who shaped my journey along the way. I am always very thankful to Madam Josephine Jenkins, Ambassador Dr. Barwuah Edusei, and Yaw Poku Mensah all of whom have been truly wonderful through the years.

In Darko Farms, honourable people like Gustav Acquaye, Dr. Michael Boadu, E.O. Quartey, Mr. Adade, Akwasi Kumah, Augustine Boateng, Francis Aidoo, Koo Ntim, and Joseph Cobinnah stayed with me through decades, all contributing immensely to make my enterprise successful, and I will forever be indebted to all the excellent men and women who poured their hearts into the work we did.

Reverend and Mrs. Professor Hans Adu Dapaah, Reverend and Mrs. Joseph Kwarteng, Reverend and Mrs. Collin Agyei, Reverend Dr. Ahinkora, Reverend Selwyn Buckman, and Reverend Mrs. Maxine Buckman, together with a team of leaders, pastors, and teachers stood side by side with me in this incredible walk of faith; I thank you all.

E. Obeng-Amoako Edmonds is a brilliant editor and researcher who took on this project with a mastery of eliciting stories from every conversation. I thank him very much for all the work to make this book possible.

A few people come into our lives and leave behind such incomparable generosity, thoughtfulness, and humility. George and Angelina Owusu became our family halfway around the world with such friendship, genuine kindness, and untiring support. My family truly owes them a great deal of gratitude.

On a personal note, I have profound gratitude to my children Sammy, Vernon, Joe, Maxine, Mercy, and Bernice. I am extremely fortunate to be their father. They each brought into my life an amazing inspiration, and for all that they continue to do for the next generation, I am eternally grateful. I have been blessed with wonderful men and women as part of our family, - in-loves, and I sincerely thank all of them for their immeasurable kindness and prayers. I pray for God’s grace on all of their lives too.

My wife Christiana is everything to me - she has been my greatest teacher, and a remarkable confidante. It was her devotion and tireless prayers through the years that made it possible for me to juggle my leadership at Darko Farms with the tremendous demands on my time from the Assemblies of God church, the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship, Opportunity International, Edify, GILLBT, Regent University, and a host of other organizations through which I had the chance to serve. For a million different reasons, I owe her much more than words can say.

Nothing I have earned or done in my lifetime deserves any credit, except unto my God, whose unfailing grace closed and opened doors, healed the broken places of my life, and turned them into a testimony. It is His will for my life that will be done.

The grace that guided my life was born from a faithfulness that comes only from Almighty God. I pray the same grace for anyone whose life has hopefully been touched by my own.