Rosemary Mroba Gaisie and family pay tribute to the memory of Rev. Msgr. Joseph Marfo Gyimah

Rosemary Mroba Gaisie, a member of the Christ the King Ladies’ Auxiliary #602, Cantonments–Accra, and Deputy Director of Communications at the Judicial Service of Ghana, has, together with her family, penned a heartfelt tribute to the memory of the late Rev. Monsignor Joseph Marfo Gyimah. The tribute reflects on his life of service, discipline, mentorship, and lasting impact on the Church and the lives he touched.

A heartfelt tribute to the memory of the late Rev. Monsignor Joseph Marfo Gyimah

We pay glowing tribute to a true Godfather and a disciplinarian, whose fatherly discipline and counsel straightened crooked paths and unearthed many young talents in the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani and beyond.
Our path crossed some 40+ years ago, when as a Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church at Chiraa, in the then Brong Ahafo Region, Rev. Fr. Joseph Marfo Gyimah (as he then was), intentionally, took interest in the spiritual upbringing of the church’s youth, where I belonged. Having completed Ordinary Level at a tender age of 14 years, Fr. Gyimah nominated me to represent the Parish at the Ghana National Catholic Youth Council Congress, (GHANCYC) held in Kumasi.

Under his strict guidance, a Junior Choir was formed, with me as the leader, to teach the very young ones, Catholic Hymns, even without a trained voice, at that early teen age. Fr. Gyimah travelled with the Jnr. Choir to then neighbouring villages / communities to sing at the very early Sunday morning mass (at least two outstations) before returning to say mass in the main church at Chiraa.

Being a minute late for a travel or any activity led by Fr. Gyimah, meant counting yourself out of the ‘equation’. He certainly, could not be beaten with punctuality, planning and meeting deadlines. His 5:30 weekday morning mass was a yardstick.

Fr. Gyimah opened his doors (the mission house) to children to learn and have fun at the same time, with memories of end-of-year children’s party, Sunday afternoon school, visits to small Christian communities, church outreach programmes with foreign visitors, and Junior Choir rehearsals.

As a National Service person posted to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and as a casual resident of Sunyani, Fr. Gyimah will pick me up in the evening after work, to Chiraa, to rehearse with the Junior Choir ahead of Saturday morning mass and early Sunday morning mass. And upon completion of my national service, Fr. Gyimah will travel with the choir in the morning from Chiraa to my place of abode for rehearsals, and he would pick them back home in the evening, when he has retired from his chancellery duties at the Catholic Diocesan office in Sunyani.

My brother; Rev. Prosper Osei Agyemang Gaisie’s experience with Fr. Gyimah, then as a mass server, brought him closer to a number of visiting Priests; including Rev. Fathers Gyansa Tabiri, Kwadwo (Koo) Nimo, and the first Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani, Most Rev. James Kwadwo Wusu, all of blessed memory. These encounters, nurtured him into priesthood, a call he has gladly and gracefully responded to, to the Glory of God.

Thereon, Fr. Gyimah, as we affectionately called him, came across to my immediate family as a strong pillar of hope, a provider, a fair and firm man of justice, a counsellor, a teacher, a motivator and to me, a cheer leader and a mentor, who guided my faith and academic steps, giving me, my mum, and many of my folks, a ladder to climb on to academic success. Fr. Gyimah exposed me to the religious life, and intentionally got me to visit a number of novitiates and convents, and wished me to become a Rev. Sr./a nun.

In the late 80’s, foreseeing a girl-child, burning with great desire for a holistic education, Fr. Gyimah pursued and succeeded in convincing the founding Headmistress of then Sacred Heart Secondary School (SAHESS) at Nsoatre, Rev. Sr. Mary Pepertua Osei-Wusu (of blessed memory) to admit me into 2nd term form one, Ordinary Level (to join my peers and seniors from Chiraa Parish) even before my 10th birthday.

Msgr. Gyimah’s role in my immediate family, especially, my formative years, has been pivotal and phenomenal. As a Canon Lawyer, Fr. Gyimah stood tall for my parents when it mattered most, settling marital and related issues. A God father who would sacrifice his intellect, time and other resources to ensure a ward had access to quality education at every level, without bending the rules.

A written recommendation for my sixth form admission at then St. Roses Secondary School, was a commendable act, though I was not admitted. The story took another turn at the tertiary level, when Fr. Gyimah, then stationed at the St. Peter’s Major Seminary, Pedu in Cape Coast, virtually shepherded me to people and places, including institutions I could hardly or struggle to access on my own.

Fr. never wavered in offering any support where he could, in spite of the common disagreements in school choices and related decisions. Fr. Gyimah, was more than a spiritual father; a beacon of hope, who saw a potential in me, even when I doubted myself. ‘Daughter’ and spiritual father parted in person, when my family moved to settle home (in Kumasi).

A great re-union it was, when I, together with my mum; Kontire Baapanyin of Ejisu-Besease, Nana Yaa Aninwaa Bodom, and siblings; Rev. Prosper Gaisie and Gloria Gaisie, re-united with Msgr. Gyimah, during that intentional visit on Saturday June 8, 2024, after more than two decades.

It was nostalgic, yet heartwarming when we last met on the Saturday afternoon of July 27, 2025, on SAHESS campus, where you honoured me, and my family with your gracious presence, and kind words, as our special guest, during MagMina Foundation’s donation to the school. We never thought that would be our last time together, Father, though you sent me daily inspirational notes via WhatsApp, even, on the very day you transitioned. And on that day; 13th January 2026, at 4:40 am, your message read: “Good Morning! God bless your day with love, peace, and joy.”

Rev. Msgr. Joseph Marfo Gyimah, was a serious-minded personality, yet with a great sense of humour, who imbibed in me and many others, a service-oriented mentality, great devoutness and time consciousness for spiritual, personal and institutional growth.

There is no denying the fact, that it was never smooth sailing, learning under the feet of a studious, principled, yet affable Catholic Priest, who was always seen, and identified in cassock everywhere, even, at the hour of death. But looking back, I feel honoured to have been nurtured by this gentle giant, in the Lord’s vineyard—(from Sunday 2pm school, evening teachings, catechism, through Jnr. Choir, early morning mass, outstation mass, youth council, to secondary school and beyond).

At every opportunity, right from my formative years, you made me know that you were proud of me. And I find it humbling, and fulfilling now, living up to your core values of service, hard work, and dedication to duty.

We; Rosemary M. Gaisie, Rev. Prosper Gaisie, Gloria Gaisie and Wilhemina Anin-Bodom (all formerly of Chiraa), specially, salute your forthrightness, thoroughness and ‘Can Do Spirit’, which you have imparted.

Your legacy lives on – the numerous churches you helped build, the masses you celebrated, and the lives you touched and transformed, the life you lived, and the love you shared. You were one of a kind!

This family is eternally grateful to you; Rev. Msgr. Joseph Marfo Gyimah, of the Justice and Peace Commission, Catholic Diocese of Sunyani.

I know that one day we shall surely meet again, Msgr. Marfo Gyimah, Da Yie.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine on him.
May the soul of Rev. Msgr. Joseph Marfo Gyimah and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

By: Rosemary Mroba Gaisie and Family. rmgaisie@gmail.com