Autobiography
The Life of
Beliefs and Farewell
Throughout my life, I held certain beliefs close to my heart. I believed that I was not here by mistake; my existence in this space called life affirmed my worth.
To live, to love and to be loved were, to me, the greatest of all miracles. Fortunately I have experienced them all. As I bid you farewell today, I reflect solemnly on the journey I have taken.
I want to leave you with one lasting thought: I was here; I lived; I loved; and I was loved. In these simple truths, I found the essence of my existence.
Early Life and
Family Background
My name is LETITIA Amoa-Abban, also known as Auntie Kaaba or Garibee. I was born LETITIA Saltson on 14th December 1946 to Mr. Jonathan Richard Saltson, a produce buying agent for the Ghana Cocoa Board, and Madam Mary Saltson, a trader.
My parents originally hailed from Ajumako Esaman, but by the time I was born, they had settled in Agona Mensakrom due to my father's work. I was therefore born and raised in Agona Mensakrom as the seventh of eight children and the third daughter in our family.
From a young age, I learned the values of hard work, perseverance and love for family values that would guide me throughout my life.
Education and Early Career
I received my primary education in Agona Mensakrom. Since there was no middle school in Mensakrom at that time, I walked three miles daily to attend the nearest middle school in Agona Duakwa. During my school days, I was a celebrated athlete in the district, particularly excelling in the 100m and 200m races. The long walks and the competitive spirit instilled in me a sense of determination and resilience. After completing middle school, I moved to Agona Swedru to further my education, enrolling in Speed Writing Secretarial School, where I obtained a Typing Grade 1 Certificate. Upon successfully completing the secretarial course, I relocated to Accra to seek better opportunities.
Professional Life
In 1962, I secured a job at the Ministry of Works and Housing with the help of a former teacher.
I worked there for four years before being assigned to the Black Star Line Commission of Enquiry as a secretary following the overthrow of the CPP government in 1966. When the Commission concluded its work in 1967, I was hired by the Volta River Authority (VRA) as a secretary in the Fishing Department at Tema Harbour, a position I held for the next fifteen years.
These years were marked by dedication and service, contributing to the development of the nation's infrastructure.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
While I was working at VRA, my colleagues in the office used to patronize some vendors who brought their wares to us. Being the daughter of a trader, I saw an opportunity to make extra money while still working as a secretary. One day, I went to my mother, who was then dealing in wax prints, to take about ten pieces of assorted wax prints to sell to my co-workers. My colleagues thus became my first clients in my private business. After I sold the clothes, I realized that the profit margin was very good. That was how my private business life started.
I later began travelling to Monrovia to buy dresses for sale in Ghana. As my appetite for business grew, I ventured into the distribution of pharmaceutical products. I used to go around enquiring from pharmacy owners about drugs that were in short supply at the time. While doing all these, I also started a poultry farm, which inadvertently led me into the bakery business. At one time, I had one of the largest bakeries in Tema Township.
Sometime after the 1979 coup d’état in Ghana, I realized that my trips to Monrovia were not yielding the desired profit. I stopped travelling to Monrovia for goods and instead opened a pharmacy shop. After combining all these businesses with my profession as a secretary for over a decade, I decided to resign from VRA to concentrate on my business.
Marriage and Family Life
Around 1967, I met an old male friend who later became my most dependable partner in life. This man was Mr. Kofi Amoa-Abban, my late husband, who stood by me through thick and thin. Although we had been friends for a long time, it was in 1973 that we decided to become husband and wife. In 1985, we had our white wedding according to the Methodist tradition. Though our marriage was blessed with six children, we had a rather large family, with our household numbering about fourteen members at one point.
As a wife, I never delegated my responsibilities towards my husband to anyone, even though I once had two house-helps to assist me. By the grace of God and sheer hard work, we were able to provide for our family in the best way we could. Today, I am very glad to say that I played my part as a wife and mother. I raised six children, two of whom have been called by the Lord, while the remaining four are doing very well by the awesome grace of God. Besides these six children, I have raised numerous other children who are not my biological offspring but whom I consider my children nonetheless. I am currently blessed with eight grandchildren and counting.
Due to my benevolence, three other young women have been named after me by their parents as a sign of honor. These three wonderful young ladies are a blessing to their individual families today by the grace of God.
Community Service and Legacy
Giving back to society and helping others in life was more than just a social responsibility for me; it was a calling. I viewed everything I gained in life as a mandate to help others, and I never hesitated to offer assistance whenever necessary.
My passion for helping others led me to join a social group known as Nyame Yɛ Ɔdɔ, where I served as president for nearly twenty-four years. After resigning from this group, I formed my own organization, Adom Ara Kwa, an all-female group dedicated to supporting women in times of distress. Each year, we organized charity events to assist the less privileged in our community.
Additionally, I became a member of another group known as Yehowa Ne Me Hwɛfo. I also served as Vice President of Christ Little Band and as a patron for numerous youth groups both inside and outside the Methodist Church.
Final Reflections
As I reflect on my journey, I find solace in knowing that I did my best, made my mark and lived my life with purpose and passion. The footprints I leave behind are not just of achievements, but of the love and care I shared with those around me. My life, though marked by challenges and triumphs, was a testament to the resilience and grace bestowed upon me by God.
In this moment of parting, I urge you to cherish the simple miracles of life: to live fully, to love deeply, and to let yourself be loved. Remember me not with sorrow, but with the joy and warmth that I hope I brought into your lives. Though my physical presence is no longer here, my spirit and the memories we created together will endure.
Thank you for being part of my journey. May God bless you all and give you strength in these moments of grief. Hold on to each other, find comfort in your shared memories, and continue to live with the same love and kindness that I aspired to embody.
God bless you all. Thank you.