Biography
I have fought a good fight, l have kept the faith, now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge will award to me on that day and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:7- 8
Parentage and Birth
The late Madam Juliana Mercy Marfo was born on the 15th June 1936. Her Father, (of blessed memory), was Opanyin Kwame Asare Marfo of the Aboade clan of Mampong – Akwapim. Her Mother, of blessed memory, was madame Rebecca Ayaw Okraku of the Adompore clan of Mampong Akwapim.
Education Training and Occupation
She received her Primary and middle school education at the Mampong Akwapim Methodist Primary and middle school from 1945 to 1954. On completing her middle school education, she obtained the middle school-leaving certificate.
Julie was employed and trained as a telephonist by the Ghana General Post Office in Accra in August 1957. She underwent further Training at the Government Secretariat school at the Ministries for capacity building. Owing to her competence she displayed in her work as a telephonist, she was posted to work at the Odorkor Residence of the Late Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, Ghana’s Prime Minister of the second Republic. She was later transferred to work at the Osu Castle and then recalled to the General Post Office during the late General Kutu Acheampong’s regime. After having worked with the General Post Office of Accra, for sixteen years. Julie had to resign to avert a transfer that might disrupt the education of the children. This she did in 1973 as a concerned mother.
She obtained employment again in Accra, this time, with Leyland Motors as a receptionist in 1974. Julie worked with Leyland Motors for 14 good years and retired in 1988, after having worked for 30 years in total.
Adult Life
As an adult, Julie gave birth to her firstborn daughter, Hilda. She later got married to Mr. James Anaman, of blessed memory, who hailed from the Agona Kwanyaku. The marriage was blessed with four children, two boys and two girls, but one of the girls passed on. Therefore, in all Julie has two daughters Hilda Darko Barimah, Doris Anaman Gehrig and two sons: Albert A. Anaman, and Christian T. Anaman. Julie shared a bond with Joyce Darko and Mrs. Augustina Nyantakyi, whom she took as her daughters. She had nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Religion and Faith
Juliana Mercy Marfo is a Methodist through and through. She was born and baptized into the Ascension Methodist Church at Mampong -Akwapim. In December 1954 she was confirmed and accepted as a full member of the same church.
Julie lived in different parts of the Accra Municipality, for example; Tudu, Kokomelemele, Osu, La and later Madina and finally Adenta. She worshiped at the local Methodist Churches in her areas of residence. She belongs to a vibrant and determined group of founding members of the Adenta Resurrection Methodist Society (Church) and one of the pioneers of the church. In fact, they started the Adenta Resurrection Methodist Church humbly as a small worshiping group in a classroom at a Catholic Church school at Adenta.
Led later by various able ministers, their determination, fortitude, hard work and vision eventually gave birth to the vibrant Adenta Resurrection Methodist Church. Auntie Julie was one of the founding members of the Women’s Fellowship and Christ little band. This is not all, she was also one of the patrons of the following organizations: the church choir, the singing band, the boys and girls Brigade and the Resurrection Power Voices. She was a staunch member of Saturday Akan Bible Class (Formerly Brother Fred Otoo Class) and regular attendant of Friday prayer meetings.
Conclusion
Aunty Julie was a loving mother, a much adored and appreciated grandmother, a staunch Methodist, a generous mother to all, a helpful, friendly and popular person. These could be but few of the attributes of Madame Juliana Mercy Marfo.
Aunty Julie born in 1936 was still in good health as at June 2023 when she turned 87 years. But the tide began to turn after the celebration. She intermittently attended her favorite clinic – THE BASEL CLINIC, located near Ritz Junction.
On 21st October 2024, Aunty Julie woke up vigorously in the morning, but she was attacked by a bout of asthma. She was rushed to the Basel Clinic, where she was referred to the University of Ghana Medical Center. Unfortunately, Aunty Julie could not reach the medical Center. She passed on at Medina Community Hospital.
Aunty Julie has run the race successfully, she has passed on the baton to posterity.
Aunty Julie da yie.
Nyame nfa wokra nsie.