“A golden heart has stopped beating,

                            Hard working hands put to rest,

                            God’s garden must be beautiful,

                            He takes the best”

Efo Kodjo Mawugbe the literary genius has taken a bow just when the applause was loudest.

Efo Kodjo joined the then Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 1984.  This period saw a rebirth of Culture as the country was fashioning out the role of Culture in the early days of the Revolution.  Men of ideas were sought for as the Cultural Revolution was one of the mind.  Kodjo was posted to the Koforidua office of the then Arts Council, after he joined the Culture Sector from UST Cultural Studies Department.  Kodjo in his characteristic style stormed Koforidua by unleashing his creative prowess on the theatre loving people of Koforidua.  He immediately formed a Drama Company that would give vent to his creative potentials.  The Koforidua Municipality experienced an explosion of drama and purposeful entertainment. 

Kodjo’s versatility was not in doubt as his services were required at various Departments either at Headquarters or in the Regions and he acquitted himself splendidly.

Between 1984 – 2004, Efo headed important Directorates of the Cultural Sector in Koforidua, Cape Coast, DuBois Memorial Centre for Pan African Culture, International Relations Department, Programmes Department, Public Education and Information Dept. of the Commission, Western Region and finally at the National Theatre of Ghana where he became the Chief Executive until his untimely home call.

Kodjo was a master wordsmith.  The ease with which he could use language and dramatic action to stir ones imagination and passions, assert our Ghanaian and Africannes, interrogate stereotypes, advocate gender assertiveness and push for the liberation of the girl child and womanhood is phenomenal.  The youth were not left in his classic exposition in “Aluta Continua”.  Kodjo was a nationalist and a Cultural revolutionary who did not use the sword nor might, he used IDEAS to bring the transformation envisaged in line with the Cultural Policy of Ghana.

Kodjo also managed several theatre companies and authored several plays and presented papers at local and international fora.  “In the chest of a woman” constable no rank”, “The Events, the graveyard people”, “The Royal” are some of his numerous plays which have been staged and featured on radio.

Kodjo was a member of the Commission Board.  The last offer he made to the Board when the Board was discussing the establishment of a dedicated unit for researching and implementing Traditional and international festivals was that “I Kodjo Mawugbe will offer my services to the establishment and strengthening of the Secretariat”.  This is captured in our Board Minutes of January 2011.

Kodjo could not attend subsequent meetings because of his failing health.  On Wednesday, September 14, 2011 we heard the news of his demise.  Kodjo you have fought the fight at the Cultural front gallantly.

                                    “Fare thee well, for Heaven is the prize

                                    And death opens the door through

                                    Which the sprit flies to live

                                    With the redeemer forever:

                                    Live on therefore

                                    For your redeemer lives”

                                    Kodjo Dzidzor le nutifafa me

                                    Kodjo da yie

                                    Kodjo ya wor dzogban

                                    Kodjo rest in Perfect Peace

                                    Till we meet again