TRIBUTE FROM ROOMMATES (KNUST 1996 TO 1999)

We met Rene in September 1996 when we all became roommates at KNUST. We immediately became friends. We had a lot in common: thick long black hair, reserved and “height challenged”.

We shared several fun moments - ranging from going to functions together to cooking sumptuous meals that we enjoyed. Rene was interested in hair and makeup artistry. She was our room hair stylist, always ensuring we showed up with unique appearances for various functions organised on campus. For one of Wilma’s birthdays, she wanted her hair held up in a Japanese bun, with all the accessories attached. It was quite a unique and complicated style, but Rene pulled it off alright!

Ewurafua was a lady with a sweet soul. She was a selfless being, always ready to make us smile with her charming gestures. She never quarreled with any of the roommates and we all loved to eat the food she prepared because she was a great cook. She served as a mediator in settling differences among the roommates. She was very prayerful and she loved to sing. No wonder she was a chorister at PMSU! She was a great dancer as well.

After we completed our undergraduate program, we kept in touch through phone calls, text messages, Facebook and in later years WhatsApp. Rene worked with Standard Chartered Bank, CleanEarth Scientific and finally set up her own business, a natural hair salon and beauty supply shop at Sakumono.

We patronized her shop a couple of times and then Wilma partnered with her to sell her products in Rene’s shop. Things were going well until suddenly we weren’t hearing from her. After many unsuccessful attempts to communicate, we went home to visit only to find out she had been ill. The good news was the worst had passed and she was beginning to “live again”.

COVID made it hard for us to see her this past year as she took a turn for the worse; however, Josephine and Wilma decided to defy the odds and pay her a visit. We don’t regret it at all because she passed away only four days after our visit.

We believe our living together as roommates was orchestrated by God. Ewurafua, you left us with something that we have carried to this day. You taught us to have patience, endurance and long suffering in all forms of relationships. This trait you instilled in us, by the grace of God, has contributed to who we are today.

Dear sister, girlfriend and roommate, Heaven needs you more than we do. God truly gained an angel. Even though we are apart, we will always remember and cherish the times we shared together.

Rene, Ewurafua you fought a good fight, you ran the race, fare thee well friend, sleep tight!!!!!! Adieus.

Wilma Titus-Glover, Nee Afful, KNUST 99 (Roommate, Queens Hall annex 93)
Josephine Amponsah-Frimpong, KNUST 99 (Roommate, Queens Hall annex 93)
Jennifer Dadzie (Roommate, Queens Hall annex 93)