Tributes

In moments like this, Lord, it is You I look up to. You gave me an amazing mother and now You’ve called her home. Blessed be Your holy name.

Mama… where do I begin, and how do I end?

Thank you for everything. You sacrificed so much so I could have life and a chance. I am, and will
always be, forever grateful. That gratitude forms the very core of who I am.

Standing here today brings back a flood of warm memories. The last time I stood here to read, you sat behind the choir, quietly noting how I could improve. And during those countless Christmas plays, you were my director, my biggest fan — always cheering me on.

You showed me that happiness isn’t found in having much, but in uplifting others.

You were happiest in the presence of the Lord — singing, dancing, praising. You would often say, “Pierre, I’m just practicing now, because in Heaven, it will be a blast!”

But today feels different. My heart is heavy, and I find myself searching for answers. None come easily, except the truth in Scripture: “There is a time for everything under the sun… and this is a time to mourn.”

We spent so much time in this parish — morning Mass, evening Mass, vigils, charismatic prayer meetings, Legion of Mary — you name it, we were there. I often just tagged along, not realizing you were planting seeds of faith in me that would last a lifetime.

As a child, I was full of questions, and you always had the answers. You were my encyclopedia — or, as I might say today, my personal “AI.” You were well-read, yet humble enough to explain things in ways my young mind could understand.

You told stories of your childhood — how you grew up as the daughter of a chief, and how life changed when your father passed away. Your world dimmed for a while, but your joy returned when I was born. From then on, our journey of faith, hope, and love began — just you, me, and a very big God.

You lived by one guiding principle: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto you.” You didn’t just quote it — you lived it.

When the Lord called you to study evangelization, many asked “why?” You simply said, “Whoever gives up everything and follows the Lord, their reward is great in Heaven.” And you lived that calling — traveling to remote areas, sharing God’s word with joy and conviction.

I am who I am because you poured your whole heart into me, never leaving a stone unturned. You did it all, and you did it with grace, faith, and love.

I love you, Mama — I am forever grateful.
Rest well, Mama — my superhero extraordinaire.

You were my rock — steady and strong through my hardest moments. You left your prints all over me. Even in my handwriting, I see you. How I wish I could speak French like you, sing as beautifully, or light up a room the way you did. You always reminded me, “To whom much is given, much is expected.”

You taught me strength with gentle hands — to see with love, to speak with truth, and to live with grace. Your faith was the torch that lit my way, and your legacy lives in the light you placed within me — a light that will never fade.

Though you are no longer here, you left me something far greater — divine wisdom. Your words echo louder in my heart than ever before.

Spirit walks beside me, guiding, comforting, and inspiring me still.
Mama — your son, your Pierre, your Piero.

For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.
Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” — Romans 14:8

One of my fondest memories of her was during her sister’s 70th birthday celebration. That day, she set aside her quiet composure and danced joyfully — her face glowing with life and laughter. Her love for music and dance reflected a heart that found worship in every expression of joy.

It is with a heart full of gratitude and deep emotion that I pay tribute to my dear mother-in-law, Madam Petra Maria Amegashie — a truly remarkable woman whose life, love, and faith left an unforgettable mark on our family.

Our first meeting was one of warmth and open arms. Dressed in radiant white and singing songs of praise, she welcomed us into her home with such grace and joy. She offered refreshments as a gesture of love and acceptance — a simple act that became her signature. Every visit thereafter carried that same touch of care and thoughtfulness.

Mama Petra was a woman of virtue and strength — prayerful, compassionate, and generous. She gave freely of what she had: cloth, jewelry, toys, and most importantly, words of encouragement. She loved children deeply and was intentional about guiding them toward the things of God.

What I admired most about her was her deep spirituality and unwavering faith in God. Every encounter with her ended in prayer — heartfelt words filled with conviction, hope, and love. She prayed for our home, our relatives, and our loved ones with a sincerity that reflected her true fellowship with the Lord.

I will never forget the day she gifted a Bible to her granddaughter, encouraging us to nurture her in the Word. It was a simple yet powerful reflection of the faith she carried so passionately and desired to pass on.

Above all, I am thankful for her prayers over us — prayers that covered our home with love, peace, and divine blessing. Her intercession remains a spiritual foundation we will always cherish.

Thank you, Mama Petra, for your kindness, your wisdom, your laughter, and your prayers. Your legacy of faith and love continues to live in us and through us.

Rest well, Mama Petra.
You are deeply loved and dearly missed.
The Lord be with you until we meet again.

Aunty Petra, you were unapologetically true to yourself, to your calling, and to your Maker. Misunderstood by many, you defied the odds and stood steadfast to the very end.

You could turn even tense moments into laughter. Through counsel, prayer, and those unforgettable bursts of humor, you left an indelible mark on each of our lives.

Your identity in Christ was etched deep within, guiding everything you did. To some, you may have seemed different, but as Scripture says, “The foolishness of God is wiser than men.” What others called unusual was truly the wisdom and wonder of God at work in you.

Your favorite reminder still echoes in our hearts:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” — Romans 8:28

And when our hearts feel heavy, we cling to the comfort of Psalm 61:2:
“When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.”

Little wonder you rose to become Ghana’s first-ever female vice-presidential candidate with the PNC Party in 2008. What the Lord spoke to you more than a decade ago has become a reality with the historic election of a woman Vice President in 2025.

Aunty Pet, you were a rare treasure — selfless, funny, bold, and deeply loving. Your courage, joy, and unwavering faith inspire us to stand firm in who God made us to be. You drew children from far and near to dance unashamedly for the Lord, and you reached out to young adults in churches, sharing your story so they would be sold out to Him too.

You were a force to reckon with — full of the joy of the Lord and a woman of great faith. As long as God said, you moved. Never one to mince words, you carried a boldness that cut through pretense, yet you were gentle enough to uplift others with grace and laughter.

We are grateful for the laughter you shared, the prayers you prayed, and the example of fearless obedience you lived before us. Your intercession for the family remains a legacy of faith and kindness that will continue to guide us for years to come.

You are a great light — one that cannot be dimmed, even by death. Beautiful soul, you shine so brightly that darkness cannot comprehend. Though we feel you have left too soon, we believe it was so that many would be reconciled back to Abba.

You were love — called to love and empowered to love. Evangelist extraordinaire, we will let love lead, for against love there is no law.

May God’s eternal light shine upon you, and may your loving spirit remain forever in our hearts.

Our Dearest Grandma Petra,

Grandma, we miss your hugs, your voice, your songs, and your laughter. But we know you are resting in the arms of the One you loved so much — your Savior, Jesus Christ.

You were more than just a grandmother to us — you were our friend, our teacher, and our prayer partner. You loved each of us so dearly and made us feel special in your own unique way.

We promise to keep your fire burning — to live in love, and to uphold the legacy of faith you embraced and passed on to us. Rest well, Grandma Petra.

Grandma, your laughter was full of life and joy. You had a way of making every moment bright — whether through your songs, your dances, or your stories about Jesus. We will always remember how your eyes lit up when you spoke about the Lord, and how you never missed a chance to remind us that “Jesus loves you.”

You will always live in our hearts.

You prayed for us every day — sometimes even when we didn’t understand what those prayers meant, but now we do. You covered us with love, with faith, and with hope. You taught us to be strong, to be kind, and to love God with all our hearts.

We love you, Grandma. Until we meet again.

Aunty Petra,

Your dedication to sharing the Gospel of Christ has inspired countless people, and your legacy will live on in the lives you impacted. Thank you for your tireless efforts, your passion, and your unwavering commitment to the message of love and redemption. Because of you, some of us have joined in the work of the Master.

You were a faithful servant of the Lord — spreading the Good News far and wide, touching hearts and transforming lives through the gifts God placed in you. Your gift was uncommon — an evangelist with a unique way of winning souls through music and dance.

May God continue to bless the work of your hands and guide those you inspired to carry on the mission of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

At first, I was puzzled, but as I grew in the Lord, I understood how wonderfully God can use each of us to preach salvation. You fought many battles, some beyond explanation, yet through it all, the Lord remained your strength.

Rest in His everlasting peace, Aunty Petra.
Your light and ministry live on.

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will never die. Even though he dies, yet shall he live.” — John 11:25

Our beloved sister, Petra, was the fourth child of our parents — a beautiful baby born at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Dzodze, in the Volta Region. From her earliest days, her strength of character was evident. She possessed an uncommon determination and refused to accept defeat in any endeavor. Excellence was her standard, and she pursued it with grace and resolve.

Petra loved deeply and gave freely of herself. She was protective of her siblings — sometimes even possessively so — because her love was pure, intense, and sincere. She often set aside her own comfort to ensure our happiness and safety. She was our prayer warrior, intercessor, and encourager. When times were difficult, she stood in the gap — praying, uplifting, and reminding us never to give up. Though disciplined and principled, she carried a gentle humor that could turn any tense moment into laughter.

During our childhood, Petra’s zeal and creativity shone brightly. She was always eager to take part in our Christmas plays, and even when no role was assigned to her, she would master others’ lines so she could fill in whenever needed. Her confidence, enthusiasm, and melodious singing voice made every performance unforgettable.

Her love for the Lord Jesus Christ was the foundation of her life. Her passion for the Gospel led her to leave her job at Novotel to attend the School of Know and Tell in Takoradi — a decision that deepened her walk with God and marked a new chapter in her faith. There, she grew in understanding and power, becoming a vessel through whom God touched many lives.

We, her siblings, were among her first mission field. She invited us constantly to join her in evangelism outreaches; even when we hesitated, she went alone — always returning with testimonies of souls won and lives transformed through her songs, dances, and words of encouragement.

One truth Petra always preached and lived by was that unforgiveness is a prison. She reminded us often that the Lord withholds mercy from those who refuse to extend mercy to others. For this reason, she harbored no resentment and made peace with her Maker. Her life was a living sermon on forgiveness, humility, and reconciliation.

Should anyone, at any point, have taken offence with her in the discharge of her duties, we humbly ask that you temper justice with mercy — for that is what the Lord requires of us: “To do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God.”

Petra’s heart overflowed with love for children, especially ours. She bonded uniquely with each one, giving them affectionate names filled with meaning and care. Every child loved her deeply, for her warmth and joy made her everyone’s favorite auntie. Her legacy of love will live on through them — and through the countless lives she touched.

In her later years, Petra received a profound revelation of her name — Petra, meaning “rock.” Though she was born Petrina, she embraced her God-given identity as Petra the Rock, standing firm in faith and unwavering in conviction. She drew strength from the Word and looked unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of her faith. Truly, her faith was her anchor, and her life a testimony of steadfast devotion.

She would often quote the Scripture, “Owe no man anything but love.” May her words stir our hearts to examine ourselves, make amends where needed, and walk in love and obedience before our Maker.

As we celebrate Petra’s life, let us not only remember her, but also heed the message she lived. Life is fleeting, and eternity is sure. The greatest tribute we can give her is to live as she did — ready, obedient, and full of love.

If there is someone you need to forgive, forgive them.
If there is someone you need to love, love them today.
If your walk with God has grown distant, return to Him while there is still time.

For the Lord calls each of us to live ready — in obedience, in purity, and in love. Petra did, and now she rests in the arms of the One she loved most.

May her life remind us all that true victory is not in how long we live, but in how well we serve the Lord.

Rest well, beloved sister.
XEDE NYIUE.