Early life

On 5th November 1965, Mr. Emmanuel Kwawu (deceased) from Gbadzeme and Mrs. Esther Violet Kwawu of Peki-Dzake were blessed with the safe delivery of a bouncing baby boy who was named Franklin Dzigbordi Kwawu. Baby Franklin had two very distinct characteristics," a pair of dimples to die for and an infectious smile thus it only stood to reason that he came to be known as "Dimples".

Education

Franklin began his education at Ridge Church Nursery School in Accra and then switched to Association International School. In Nursery School "Dimples" earned a reputation for bravery in spite of his relatively very young age when he successfully mounted a horse! In addition to this he was highly intelligent, a trait which became more discernible as the years went by.

Franklin went on to Lewis Adams Elementary School in Tuskegee, Alabama, USA in 1974. In the USA, he again stunned family and friends alike when he fearlessly sat on a huge shark when he participated in a show dubbed "The Seven Flags Over Georgina".

Franklin however returned to Association International School in 1977 where he took the Common Entrance Examination and came out with flying colours! He gained admission to Achimota School (Motown) in 1978 and was placed in Gyamfi House.

Franklin took to secondary school life with gusto and his easy going and ebullient nature won him many lifelong friends. He was one of the few members in his year group who found friends in every single house across the "grey city".

In spite of his asthmatic condition, Franklin was an avid sportsman, playing soccer, cricket, basketball and swimming at the highest levels, representing both House and School with utmost distinction.

Having successfully completed his O'Levels he moved to the National Science College better known then as the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC - Legon) where he took the GCE Advanced Level examination in 1986. At Presec again Franklin's personality won him many friends. After a sterling performance in his A' Levels, Franklin first entered the famous Tuskegee University in the USA.

From there he went on and completed his studies at the University of New York graduating with a Bsc. in Computer Science in 1990. Energized and buoyed by his towering vision, Franklin collected numerous professional certificates in hardware and software engineering as well as project management in the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom thus preparing him for the brilliant career to come.

Professional and Career life

Franklin's career spanned a period of over 25 years of work in Europe, North America, South and West Africa. In 1990 he worked as a Network Manager Consultant to the British Red Cross in London. This opened the door to successive engagements as a Senior Systems Engineer with the U.K. Environmental Agency and the Arts Council of England as a Technical Manager.

His excellent aptitude and performance on the job made him attractive to the burgeoning global telecommunications sector. From 2000 onwards Franklin's employment record reads like a veritable who's who of the telecom sector. As a Senior Engineer and Team Leader for Motorola, Franklin contributed to the deployment of the first General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network in the world and then went on providing his technical know-how in Belgium, Germany, UK, Turkey, Lithuania, Israel, Jordan and Spain.

In 2004 Franklin became a Project Systems Consultant for Incode Telecom in San Diego, California, he then moved to Telecom Carrier Bell Canada, working with teams to provide customer enterprise hotspot Wi-Fi. From 2011 Franklin worked as a Senior Project Engineer for Vodafone Portugal, Vodacom South Africa, T-Mobile Austria, 02 UK & Ireland and Etisalat Nigeria.

Franklin never forgot about Ghana, his beloved motherland. He extended his expertise in telecom operations to Ghana and played an indispensable role in the Vodafone Ghana 2G and 3G rollout. He performed similar operations for MTN Ghana.

His final job was at Twinning Enterprise, in July 2022 where he worked as a Mentor for the Future Development project.

Family Life

Despite Franklin's busy schedule he was a very committed and loving husband and father. Father to Lauren Ohenewaa and Jordan Selase Kwawu with his first wife Linda, Franklin married the love of his life, Patience Yaayaa Kwakye Kwawu in 2010.

They were blessed with Kekeli Serwa Kwawu. "Dimples" is also a father to Adom and Lester. He had deep and personal relationship with his Maker and was a member of the Ghana Police Church where he worshipped regularly when he was in Accra.

Franklin formed a close unit with his siblings Charles Komla Kwawu, Linda Kwawu (deceased), Elaine, Hillary and Jacqueline Kwawu. The love, care and determination he portrayed in his zeal to connect with his family was a decidedly out of the ordinary feat.

His presence at family gatherings gave us great joy and his conviviality will be sorely missed.

Social Life

It is amazing how Franklin was so adept at fusing and filtering his experience of the world through his family and friendships. A busy work schedule, good (and preferably loud) music, fine wines, exquisite cigars and aromatic coffee made for a wonderful atmosphere of pleasant banter, "bonhomie" and "joie de vivre"!

He had an eclectic taste in music, nurtured by his extensive travels around the globe. He connected effortlessly with many regardless of their cultural, social or linguistic background.

His spirit, energy and social cohesion were infectious, drawing people to him. Franklin lived life to the fullest and was always in communion with family and friends.

Epilogue

Franklin Kofi Dzigbordi Kwawu was a Champ! As a family man, a friend, a professional, a Ghanaian he was unique. He ploughed the fields and kept the paths cleared. Our elders, after they have mastered the grief and pain that comes with losing a dear one, are often heard saying in consolation "a megbetɔ va wɔ dɔ".

Franklin has done his bit in humanity's unending business and has earned his place in eternity.

May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace!