AASR Bulletin 35 - The African Association for the Study of Religions

AASR BULLETIN 35 (NOVEMBER 2011)
www.a-asr.org
OBITUARY
13
Brigid M. Sackey
REV.DR. ABRAHAM AKO AKRONG
*December 29, 1948 † November 9, 2011
A TRIBUTE FROM AASR-GHANA
Whenever, and in whatever form it comes, death brings along a traumatic, distressing
and unfathomable pain; more so, at a time when the University of Ghana, Legon, was
planning to celebrate its first ever grand Home Coming event. Even though the AASR
members at the University of Ghana knew Reverend Dr. Abraham A. Akrong had not
been well for some time, we were optimistic that he would be able to join us during the
Home Coming and confident he would play his part efficiently. But God knew his plan
for him.
Abraham A. Akrong was educated at the University of Ghana from 1972 to 1975.
After his first degree he continued there and obtained an MA in Religion and Philosophy
in 1978. He later proceeded to Lutheran School of Theology at the University of
Chicago, where he was awarded a PhD in theology in 1991. He was employed by the
Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, in 1996. He was promoted to Senior
Research Fellow in 2001.
For about 15 years, Dr. Akrong and I were the only faculty members doing research
and teaching MA/MPhil/PhD at the African Religions and Philosophy Unit of the Institute
of African Studies (IAS), University of Ghana, Legon. Dr. Akrong attained his
Senior Research Fellowship through hard work,. As a Presbyterian pastor, with a PhD
in theology from the University of Chicago, he did not allow his theological viewpoint
to influence his teaching. Rather, he was a very objective and versatile personality and
would do any assignment even at short notice. Dr Akrong and I taught courses in Afri-