Friends of the late Dr. Yaw Ackah, 63, of Dover, may call on the family for a viewing from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 12, at the Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, Dover.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 209 S. State St., Dover. A reception and traditional Ghanaian funeral will immediately follow at 4 p.m. in the MLK Student Center at Delaware State University, 1200 N. Dupont Highway, Dover.
Dr. Ackah died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010, at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore.
Born Nov. 18, 1948, in Sefwi Bekwai, in the western region of Ghana, he was the son of the late Opanyin Kwadwo Ackah and Madam Odilia Amma Ataa.
Dr. Ackah was born into humble surroundings but hard work, dedication, perseverance and an undying love of family and a will to succeed propelled him to go beyond his meager means to accomplish a lot and leave behind a legacy beyond the expectations of so many people.
He attended Adobewora Primary School and Sefwi Bekwai Methodist Middle School in Ghana. He then went to the Wiawso Training College. After teaching primary school for two years, he attended Winneba Advanced Teachers Training College, and then taught for two years in secondary school. He then enrolled at the University of Cape Coast, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Sociology. He then taught for one year in Ghana and then went to Nigeria, where he taught for six years in secondary school in English language and literature.
In 1985, Dr. Ackah immigrated to the United States and was joined 18 months later by his wife Georgina. He attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., earning his Master of Arts and PhD degrees in sociology and criminal justice. An outstanding student, he earned straight As and graduated at the top of his class.
He joined the faculty of Delaware State University as an assistant professor in 1993, attaining full professorship status in 2003.
Happily married for 38 years, Dr. Ackah was a caring and devoted family man who took pride in the achievements of his children and his wife, a woman he loved, cherished, adored, and respected.
He was also a beloved and dedicated teacher to his students, many of whom considered him their father beyond home. His reputation among his colleagues as an honest man, a trusted friend and advisor was such that it led him to holding several leadership positions.
