Emmanuel Dei-Tumi Junior, Esq.

I first met Afia in Arts 5 at Achimota School around September or October of 2013. What immediately caught my attention, and indeed everyone's, was her exceptionally long and beautiful name: Afia Bema Osei Asibe Banahene (this was the original Achimota sequence). Beyond her intriguing name, it quickly became clear that she was younger than most of us yet remarkably intelligent, carrying herself with a maturity and brilliance that were undeniable. And, of course, she was, and still is, incredibly beautiful.

This delightful combination of attributes piqued my interest, compelling me to intentionally pursue a friendship with her, or as we would humorously say, I "ahushed" her. Our bond had an inherently symbiotic foundation from the very beginning. Afia had a natural proficiency in science and mathematics, areas in which I admittedly needed significant assistance. Our friendship blossomed as she generously helped me navigate these challenging subjects, and in return, I offered my company and, perhaps, a bit of comic relief and the extra piece of meat, fish, or egg that came as an obvious perk of being the significant other of the dining hall prefect. Though, in honesty, at that time I was undoubtedly the greater beneficiary.

From early on, I knew deep within that Afia was someone extraordinarily special, someone I envisioned myself spending forever with. When I eventually expressed my intentions beyond mere friendship, Afia initially hesitated. It would later come to light that her delay stemmed from a promise made to her beloved mother (my dear Mummy Sardia) to avoid romantic relationships during her academic years, believing it might interfere with her studies. But after a year and a half of our unofficial yet inseparable bond (a period I fondly count as part of our time together), Afia realized our connection had positively impacted both our lives, enhancing rather than distracting from our academic performance.

As I look back, I remember how Afia often expressed doubts about whether our relationship would survive the typical post-secondary school transition. Yet, despite those uncertainties, I always maintained my unwavering belief and assertion that our relationship was destined to transcend the fleeting nature of most high school romances. True to my conviction, we went on to attend and graduate law school together and eventually got called to the bar together. Throughout this period, Afia and I became inseparable not only as a couple but also as best friends, study partners, and moral compasses.

Truthfully, Afia has long been my guide, lovingly serving as what I affectionately call my "deputy Holy Spirit."

As we look ahead, I am filled with excitement about our future together. I eagerly anticipate a lifetime filled with shared dreams, purposeful adventures, and the unfolding of God's plans for us. Most importantly, I look forward to spending every moment alongside Afia, my partner in purpose, my love, and my best friend.