Madam Mary (Maame Efua Koduoduwa Afful was born on 2 March 1951 and died on 1 November 2021.

Madam Mary Afful (Maame Efua Koduoduwa) affectionately called Auntie Mary, Sister or Grandma Mary, in her later life, was born on 2 March 1951 at Asebu Ekroful in the Central region to Opanyin Kobina Afful and Monica Maame Aba Esoun both of blessed Memory. Born the second of six siblings, Madam Mary Afful started her elementary education at Asebu Ekroful Catholic Primary and Middle School in 1957. Upon completion of Middle School, she had a teaching appointment in Cape Coast where she mostly taught at
the Kindergarten level for two years. Shortly after her teaching experience, she met her late husband, Mr. Augustine Afful-Dadzie who asked for her hand in marriage. Auntie Mary joined her husband who was then a staff of the Ghana Railway Corporation (popularly known as Location or Loco) at Kojokrom-Sekondi. Industrious as she was even hours to her death, Madam Afful resisted being a housewife, and started engaging herself in various business ventures. A serial winner in trading, she started selling shea butter for a period, and then ventured into wholesale trading of maize mainly to kenkey sellers at Kojokrom and its environs. After some years, and on studying the maize market trends, Auntie Mary decided to venture into the Fante Kenkey (Fante dokon) business. Her husband Mr. Augustine Afful-Dadzie passed on suddenly in 1991, leaving her with six young children to raise alone. Realising the enormous task of nurturing her children after the demise of her husband, she became even more steadfast towards her business. She will go on to use proceeds from her kenkey business to raise and educate six children namely Christopher, Augustina, Vida,
Anthony, Eric and Magdalene. She was a disciplined and shrewd trader, and had a strong penchant for savings, a skill that served her well in supporting her six children to climb the educational ladder not encumbered, at
least of school fees. Peers, friends and fellow traders would often confer with her to show them the magic wand in trading. One popular remark from her colleagues in the Kenkey business was “Eeei Mary, edwuma ah3n y3 y3 b) kaw nna )wo 3dze tua University fees yi a?” To wit, a business for which we are saddled with too much debts, you are able to make profit and even pay University fees from? She became well known for her Kenkey business, especially in Sekondi, Kojokrom, Esikado and beyond. She would later sell in bulk especially
to organizers of GES conferences through the support of her friend, Mrs. Arkhurst, and at some point, supplied Fanti kenkey on a daily basis to the office of the Bishop of Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese during the time of Most Rev. Bishop Martin Darko. Auntie Mary believed in Ben Franklin's maxim that “If a man empties his purse into his head, no one can take it from him. To wit, an investment in knowledge always pays the highest return. She will then make sure that she does not only sweat to pay fees, but every child of hers must be first or among the best three in their respective classes and schools. And so it was to the glory of God! With her protective care and the abundant grace of God, her children would go on to attain higher education in an environment where few excelled beyond basic school. She looked after her children with the help of the kenkey business, and on achieving her most prized goal of ensuring that all her children attained higher education, she retired from the kenkey business. The demanding nature of the kenkey business had a significant toll on her body, especially on her already bowed legs. In spite of this, she could not stay without working, and so soon after retiring from the kenkey business, Auntie Mary, the assiduous woman, with the help of her daughter Vida, started a new business of retailing in cement and other hardware. Auntie Mary, the
multiplier, will once again also make success in this business despite strong competition in the market. Auntie Mary had that special gift of common sense which was a marvel to even her highly educated children. In fact, many men and women would regularly seek her advice and were never disappointed at the advice she offered them. In her later life, she became well-known for counselling people from all walks of life, especially those who visited her at the store. In fact, many people benefited immensely from the dearth of her wisdom. Auntie Mary was a staunch Catholic who rarely missed church activities. She would attend morning mass before setting off to the market to sell. She was an active member of the St. Cecilia Singing Band of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Kojokrom, where she served as their secretary and Treasurer on several occasions. She was a great disciplinarian, and ensured that all her children were brought up in a God fearing manner. Woe unto you if you were to miss morning mass in the house of Auntie Mary. She was a true 'asor ba' as she will affectionately say, and instilled in her children the enduring teachings of the Catholic church. Auntie Mary was not sick nor was suffering from any disease. However, on Monday, the 1st of November, 2021, she
complained of mild sickness and was taken to the hospital. On Tuesday morning, she was joyfully singing, rather surprisingly to the nurses and the christian group that visited her at the Effia-nkwanta hospital. Her
jubilant mood was an indication that she was better and all ready to go back home. However, in the evening of Tuesday, 2nd November 2021 which coincidentally happened to be 'All Souls Day', she gave up her soul. The manner of her death is still a shock to us, but we believe that she is resting well in the bosom of her maker. Auntie Mary, Eno Mary, Efua, everyone, most especially your beloved children are proud of you and your achievements. Your maker is proud of you. You have exhausted the days your maker allotted you in this
life. You will be fondly remembered by your children, grandchildren, friends, and customers.
Deminfa Due!. Fare thee Well, Esah, Till We Meet Again