When news of her demise late Saturday 15th March 1997 at the Holy Cross Hospital in Haslemere, Guildford, United Kingdom, was published in Ghana by state and allied media in the morning of 17th March 1997, the whole nation, and especially the Christian and Moslem community who never relented in their prayers in the hope that the healing hands of our maker would again work a miracle to have Dr Mary Ann Okine back to us in good health and spirit, were thrown into a state of shock and mourning.
However, we all consoled ourselves saying, God knows best, and further with the adage in latin “Quem dit diligunt adolescence moritur” to wit “whom the gods love dies young”.
We had lost, at the tender age of 31, a medical scholar extraordinaire, so dedicated to her work as a doctor, that it came as no surprise that out of her pure dedication to work she had inadvertently contracted a debilitating viral disease which management required being timely and diligent.
It all started as a bad headache on a fateful Saturday in December 1995 with intermittent bouts of memory loss.
A sudden deterioration within hours of complaint into bouts of convulsions found her at the SSNIT Hospital, from where she was later moved to the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital, where she worked.
Her seniors in the medical profession, colleagues, husband, family and friends did everything they could to help Mary Ann.
Incommunicado, and in a coma, her case took on a national dimension, and the Ministry of Health facilitated her evacuation to the UK for treatment. Here she was received by the Ghana High Commission and was placed in the intensive care unit. We all had so much hope because she had good days when she came partially out of coma, even recognising some of the people who visited her.
Mary Ann fought for her life, defying the odds and even breathing on her own to survive up until March 15, 1997, when she was called peacefully by the Lord into eternity. 25 years on, we still remember Dr. Mary Ann Okine with love and affection.
Dr Mary Ann Okine (nee Sappong-Kumankumah) continue to rest in peace and may your good works continue to affect many more even in death.
Affectionately remembered by your husband, siblings, family, colleagues and friends.