In Loving Memory Of
James Samuel Itu Wood
Dates: 28th February 1948 - 27th March 2021
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100: 4-5
Obituary
Biography of James Samuel Itu Wood
We thank God for the privilege this morning to say farewell to our nephew, brother, cousin, father, uncle, grandfather, husband and friend, James Samuel Itu Wood, whom God in His wisdom, has called home to eternal rest. His departure was too sudden for us; but to God, we give glory, honour and praise.
James Samuel Itu Wood, popularly known as Itu, was born at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, on 28th February, 1948, at the exact time the shooting incident occurred at the Christiansborg crossroads, Osu, when the ex-servicemen were marching to the Christiansborg Castle to present a petition for their service benefits to the Governor of the Gold Coast. Itu’s father was the lone Sergeant Major at the rear of the march.
His father, Henry Bede Bandele Boisie Wood, hailed from the family of Rev. John Plange of blessed memory, one of the founding members of the Methodist Church in Accra. His mother, Eva Felicia Lanchoe Lawson, was the daughter of Henry Joseph Odartey-Kwashie Lawson, a transport owner, of the Lante-Djan We family of the Asere Division of the Ga People and Mary Shamochoe Ampah, a trader of Kinka.
Mr. Wood started his elementary school education in 1954 at the Korle-Gonno Catholic Boys School (K G Roman), where he passed the Common Entrance Examination and entered Accra Academy, then at James Town, in 1962 for his secondary school education. He obtained the GCE O-Level Certificate in 1967.
After a year’s spell of temporary employment with the Accra Ice Company, he returned to Accra Academy in 1968 to complete the A-levels in 1970. He was a member of the school hockey team that represented the school at the Finals of the Accra Regional Hockey Knockout Championship in 1967. This team was the first team ever to beat Achimota School in the Championship and won the shield by a lone goal.
James Samuel Itu Wood, popularly known as Itu, was born at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, on 28th February, 1948, at the exact time the shooting incident occurred at the Christiansborg crossroads, Osu, when the ex-servicemen were marching to the Christiansborg Castle to present a petition for their service benefits to the Governor of the Gold Coast. Itu’s father was the lone Sergeant Major at the rear of the march.
His father, Henry Bede Bandele Boisie Wood, hailed from the family of Rev. John Plange of blessed memory, one of the founding members of the Methodist Church in Accra. His mother, Eva Felicia Lanchoe Lawson, was the daughter of Henry Joseph Odartey-Kwashie Lawson, a transport owner, of the Lante-Djan We family of the Asere Division of the Ga People and Mary Shamochoe Ampah, a trader of Kinka.
Mr. Wood started his elementary school education in 1954 at the Korle-Gonno Catholic Boys School (K G Roman), where he passed the Common Entrance Examination and entered Accra Academy, then at James Town, in 1962 for his secondary school education. He obtained the GCE O-Level Certificate in 1967.
After a year’s spell of temporary employment with the Accra Ice Company, he returned to Accra Academy in 1968 to complete the A-levels in 1970. He was a member of the school hockey team that represented the school at the Finals of the Accra Regional Hockey Knockout Championship in 1967. This team was the first team ever to beat Achimota School in the Championship and won the shield by a lone goal.
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Rather than continue academic studies at the University, Itu chose to pursue a career in industry, joining the State Insurance Corporation (SIC) in 1970. After initial training in the rudiments of Insurance, he was posted to the Marine Claims Department to work as a Marine Hull and Aviation Adjuster.
In 1973, Mr. Wood won an award from the Chartered Insurance Institute, London (Overseas Students Training Scheme) for insurance training in the United Kingdom for 2 years. He studied at the then City of London Polytechnic, now City of London University. As part of the training, he went on attachment to Friends’ Provident and Century Insurance Group of the UK, training in all classes of Business. On successful completion, he was offered a unique opportunity to work as an Underwriting Assistant at the Company’s Desk at Lloyds of London.
In 1975, he returned to SIC and was posted, as Superintendent, to the Marine and Aviation Claims Department, where he was responsible for the adjustment and settlement of Marine Hull, Cargo and Aviation Claims.
In 1977, Mr. Wood was one of the SIC staff, specially selected as Assistant Insurance Underwriters, that set up the Headquarters of the Africa Re-Insurance Corporation (Africa Re) in the Lagos Office, Nigeria. He was one of the pioneering officers in the initial operations of Africa Re and was actively involved in studying the practices and legislation in the Insurance and Reinsurance markets in the various African countries that formed Africa Re. He therefore travelled widely to many of these African countries.
From 1979 to 1988, Mr. Wood was posted as Regional Underwriter to the Africa Re, North Africa office at Casablanca, Morocco, and made supervisor for the underwriting and marketing operations of the Africa Re in the following member countries – Morocco, Libya, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Sudan and Mauritania.
He left Africa Re. in 1988, returned to Ghana and joined Mr. Edward Mensah, who was the founding General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Africa Re. Mr. Mensah had then established a Consultancy firm, Edward Mensah and Associates (EMA), that was doing business in International Insurance & Reinsurance Broking and Consultancy in all classes of business. Itu joined EMA as Executive Director and partner. In 1995, the name of the company was changed to Edward Mensah, Wood and Associates Ltd. (EMWA). Mr. Wood became the Managing Director until his demise.
Mr. Wood’s working experience in the Insurance Industry spanned a period of forty (40) years, during which he earned the following qualifications: Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute, London (A.C.I.I.) – 1977; Chartered Insurance Practitioner – 1995; and Fellow of the Insurance Institute of Ghana (F.G.I.I.) – 1999. He rendered other services to the Insurance Industry in the capacity of Secretary General, the Ghana Insurance Institute; Vice President, Ghana Insurance Brokers Association (GIBA) now Insurance Brokers Association of Ghana (IBAG); and Board member of TV3. He also participated as a member of the Price Waterhouse team that conducted a Diagnostic Study of the Insurance Industry in Ghana - a World Bank Project - in August 1992. For over ten years, he was the chief invigilator for the Chartered Insurance Institute (UK) supervising exams and acted in this capacity up until 2011.
Apart from being an insurance guru, Mr. Wood had good entrepreneurial skills and took advantage of various business opportunities that came his way. For many years, he teamed up with his close friend, Bobby, and made alternate trips to London to purchase electronic equipment and other fast moving consumer goods for sale. He also established a small-scale poultry farm, which motivated other family members to follow his innovative example. When Itu returned from Morocco, he and his family established, “Classy 2000,” a well-patronized curtain and upholstery shop at Kokomlemle, near the overhead bridge.
As the saying goes, “All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy,” and Mr. Wood played as hard as he worked! He joined the Rotary Club of Accra North, Ghana Club and the Celebrity Golf Club. He was very passionate about hockey and played for a number of clubs, including the Ghana National Hockey Team; the Underwriters, (SIC Hockey Team) as Captain; Veterans; Barclays Bank; Bank of Ghana; a local hockey team in Casablanca while he was working in Morocco and even Old Achimotans’ Association Team (though an Accra Academy Old student). He was well known for his excellent skills in stick control, passing, dribbling and shooting on the hockey pitch. No wonder he was nicknamed the “Wizard of Odds.”
Itu was baptized in infancy into the Methodist Church on 21st August, 1948, by Rev. J. E. Allottey-Pappoe and given the Christian names, James Samuel, after his paternal grandfather. He was confirmed into full membership of the Methodist Church by Rev. L. H. S. Osae Addo on Sunday, 11th December, 1966. In Morocco, the family worshipped at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, where two of their children were baptized. On return to Accra, he continued to worship at the Accra Ridge Church, where he had worshipped before his stay abroad. He was a member of the Accra Ridge Church Men’s Fellowship and hosted the Neighborhood Fellowship of the Teshie-Nungua area. He was also a member of the Tuesday and Friday Mass Family of Accra Ridge Church.
James met a young, pretty lady, Merley Akita in 1969. Their friendship later blossomed and culminated in their wedding at the Aggrey Memorial Chapel, Achimota School on 24th December 1977. The marriage was blessed with five children: James Samuel Eduje, Audrey Kwensua (deceased), Reginald Mark Edja Emil, William Francis Ekowsam and Francine Eva Nana Bosua.
Mr. Wood was an iconic family man. He was devoted to his wife in all aspects of their lives. He poured affection and attention on each of their children, and indeed extended this special attention to the broader family as well. Itu, enjoyed the goodwill of family members. As the only child of his mother and the first grandson of his maternal family, he was dearly loved by family members. His mother enjoyed baking and organizing parties.
Not surprisingly, Itu grew up with that same spirit, organizing parties for every successful event that came his way – success party for passing an examination; promotion party for upgrade in employment; business party for a successful business operation; birthday parties; wedding anniversaries – you name it. Itu would always find an excuse to make a party, just to bring family and friends together and, of course, show off his culinary skills!
He had a soft spot for the needy and distressed in society. With this charitable disposition, he contributed both in kind and cash to a number of church bodies and charitable organizations, mostly incognito.
James lived a full life, using every God-given gift not only for himself and his family, but also for the broader community. However, as MHB 651 v. 4 says:
In 1973, Mr. Wood won an award from the Chartered Insurance Institute, London (Overseas Students Training Scheme) for insurance training in the United Kingdom for 2 years. He studied at the then City of London Polytechnic, now City of London University. As part of the training, he went on attachment to Friends’ Provident and Century Insurance Group of the UK, training in all classes of Business. On successful completion, he was offered a unique opportunity to work as an Underwriting Assistant at the Company’s Desk at Lloyds of London.
In 1975, he returned to SIC and was posted, as Superintendent, to the Marine and Aviation Claims Department, where he was responsible for the adjustment and settlement of Marine Hull, Cargo and Aviation Claims.
In 1977, Mr. Wood was one of the SIC staff, specially selected as Assistant Insurance Underwriters, that set up the Headquarters of the Africa Re-Insurance Corporation (Africa Re) in the Lagos Office, Nigeria. He was one of the pioneering officers in the initial operations of Africa Re and was actively involved in studying the practices and legislation in the Insurance and Reinsurance markets in the various African countries that formed Africa Re. He therefore travelled widely to many of these African countries.
From 1979 to 1988, Mr. Wood was posted as Regional Underwriter to the Africa Re, North Africa office at Casablanca, Morocco, and made supervisor for the underwriting and marketing operations of the Africa Re in the following member countries – Morocco, Libya, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Sudan and Mauritania.
He left Africa Re. in 1988, returned to Ghana and joined Mr. Edward Mensah, who was the founding General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Africa Re. Mr. Mensah had then established a Consultancy firm, Edward Mensah and Associates (EMA), that was doing business in International Insurance & Reinsurance Broking and Consultancy in all classes of business. Itu joined EMA as Executive Director and partner. In 1995, the name of the company was changed to Edward Mensah, Wood and Associates Ltd. (EMWA). Mr. Wood became the Managing Director until his demise.
Mr. Wood’s working experience in the Insurance Industry spanned a period of forty (40) years, during which he earned the following qualifications: Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute, London (A.C.I.I.) – 1977; Chartered Insurance Practitioner – 1995; and Fellow of the Insurance Institute of Ghana (F.G.I.I.) – 1999. He rendered other services to the Insurance Industry in the capacity of Secretary General, the Ghana Insurance Institute; Vice President, Ghana Insurance Brokers Association (GIBA) now Insurance Brokers Association of Ghana (IBAG); and Board member of TV3. He also participated as a member of the Price Waterhouse team that conducted a Diagnostic Study of the Insurance Industry in Ghana - a World Bank Project - in August 1992. For over ten years, he was the chief invigilator for the Chartered Insurance Institute (UK) supervising exams and acted in this capacity up until 2011.
Apart from being an insurance guru, Mr. Wood had good entrepreneurial skills and took advantage of various business opportunities that came his way. For many years, he teamed up with his close friend, Bobby, and made alternate trips to London to purchase electronic equipment and other fast moving consumer goods for sale. He also established a small-scale poultry farm, which motivated other family members to follow his innovative example. When Itu returned from Morocco, he and his family established, “Classy 2000,” a well-patronized curtain and upholstery shop at Kokomlemle, near the overhead bridge.
As the saying goes, “All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy,” and Mr. Wood played as hard as he worked! He joined the Rotary Club of Accra North, Ghana Club and the Celebrity Golf Club. He was very passionate about hockey and played for a number of clubs, including the Ghana National Hockey Team; the Underwriters, (SIC Hockey Team) as Captain; Veterans; Barclays Bank; Bank of Ghana; a local hockey team in Casablanca while he was working in Morocco and even Old Achimotans’ Association Team (though an Accra Academy Old student). He was well known for his excellent skills in stick control, passing, dribbling and shooting on the hockey pitch. No wonder he was nicknamed the “Wizard of Odds.”
Itu was baptized in infancy into the Methodist Church on 21st August, 1948, by Rev. J. E. Allottey-Pappoe and given the Christian names, James Samuel, after his paternal grandfather. He was confirmed into full membership of the Methodist Church by Rev. L. H. S. Osae Addo on Sunday, 11th December, 1966. In Morocco, the family worshipped at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, where two of their children were baptized. On return to Accra, he continued to worship at the Accra Ridge Church, where he had worshipped before his stay abroad. He was a member of the Accra Ridge Church Men’s Fellowship and hosted the Neighborhood Fellowship of the Teshie-Nungua area. He was also a member of the Tuesday and Friday Mass Family of Accra Ridge Church.
James met a young, pretty lady, Merley Akita in 1969. Their friendship later blossomed and culminated in their wedding at the Aggrey Memorial Chapel, Achimota School on 24th December 1977. The marriage was blessed with five children: James Samuel Eduje, Audrey Kwensua (deceased), Reginald Mark Edja Emil, William Francis Ekowsam and Francine Eva Nana Bosua.
Mr. Wood was an iconic family man. He was devoted to his wife in all aspects of their lives. He poured affection and attention on each of their children, and indeed extended this special attention to the broader family as well. Itu, enjoyed the goodwill of family members. As the only child of his mother and the first grandson of his maternal family, he was dearly loved by family members. His mother enjoyed baking and organizing parties.
Not surprisingly, Itu grew up with that same spirit, organizing parties for every successful event that came his way – success party for passing an examination; promotion party for upgrade in employment; business party for a successful business operation; birthday parties; wedding anniversaries – you name it. Itu would always find an excuse to make a party, just to bring family and friends together and, of course, show off his culinary skills!
He had a soft spot for the needy and distressed in society. With this charitable disposition, he contributed both in kind and cash to a number of church bodies and charitable organizations, mostly incognito.
James lived a full life, using every God-given gift not only for himself and his family, but also for the broader community. However, as MHB 651 v. 4 says:
Rest comes at length: though life be long and dreary.
The day must dawn and darksome night be past;
Faith’s journey ends in welcome to the weary;
And heaven, the heart’s true home, will come at last.
Angels of Jesus, angels of light,
singing to welcome the pilgrims of the night!
James Samuel Itu Wood! The peace of God be with you till we meet again. Itu, Yaawo djogbann ye Nuntso le mli. Amen.
Father in Thy gracious keeping, Leave we now Thy servant sleeping
(MHB 976 Refrain)
(MHB 976 Refrain)
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