High-profile politicians, church leaders, media, footballers, drivers, motor riders, and professionals yesterday paid glowing tributes to the late sightless Serial caller of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Mr. Joseph Kofi Ahiadeke AKA Avulakpadza, as his remains were laid to rest.
Avulakpadza, who died on June 12, 2023, aged 40, shortly after he was given a two-bedroom self-contained home by a team led by Shine FM, his fellow serial callers, and residents of Akatsi South, was mourned by a huge crowd of people from diverse groups that gathered at Bata in the Akatsi South Constituency.
The funeral service, which was conducted by a church, roused the sleepy community, which had not witnessed such a huge crowd of mourners from across the nation.
Leading the outpouring of tributes, the popular purblind serial caller, Mr. Cosmos Amen Posh of Shine FM, noted that the deceased was not in the mold of a typical caller as he was decent, straightforward, and had a high sense of integrity and loyalty.
He said that the death of the brave caller was a huge loss to the media, saying, “We share a huge sense of loss with the family.”
Some members of the Mr. Julius Quashie-led serial callers group and well-wishers that attended the burial described him as a kind and humble person.
According to Mr. Jordan Dzikunu, former director of the Akatsi South NCCE, Avulakpadza has a burning desire for the development of his electoral area and the Akatsi South Constituency as a whole and is fully committed to the struggle.
He vowed that he would charge Shine FM and all other media houses in the locality to intensify the struggle that the late Caller believed in, assuring that “the development that has been eluding Bata would surely come to pass.”
The chairman of the Akatsi All Stars football club, Hon. Anthony-Solo Adoteivi, said that ”the late founder of his football club was a good man that always wanted good for others”.
He said that he had remained a great fan of his football club and that the Akatsi All Stars football club would be forever missed. Mr. Peter Gatsi, Manager of the team, therefore prayed to God to give the deceased eternal rest.
A delegation from the Akatsi All Stars Football Club and from the supporters union presented GHC500.00 in cash to support the funeral.
Speaking at the funeral, Mr. Japhet Festus Gbede, vice chairman of the Akatsi All Stars supporters union, noted that, although the deceased was not a registered member of their association, they appreciated and considered his contributions to the course, hence their financial and moral support during the funeral.
At the burial were Hon. Anthony-Solo Adoteivi, Vice Chairman of the Akatsi South Constituency, NDC, and Chairman of the Akatsi Stars football club, Hon. Sulleymana Seidu, Akatsi South NDC organizer, Mr. Isaac Kofi Ativor, Akatsi South Constituency Communication Officer, Mr. Tagbor Moses, Former Deputy Communication Officer, Mr. Japhet Festus Gbede, Former Deputy Communication Officer aspirant, and NDC youths and women leaders, as well-wishers from all walks of life.
