Keta, in the serene Volta Region, recently hosted a poignant burial service to honor the memory of James Lutterodt, the young luminary who captured hearts as a standout member of the 2021 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) team.
James, a promising talent at just 19 years old, played an instrumental role in Keta Senior High School’s historic victory at the 2021 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ). However, his untimely passing occurred on July 1 after a brief illness, marking a tragic loss for his community.
In a candid interview with reporters, Stephen Mawunyo Gadzo, the father of Senyo Gadzo, a fellow contestant alongside the late James Edem Lutterodt, shared his profound grief over James’s passing. He described James as not only a fellow competitor but also a cherished friend and confidant. The news of James’s demise has left an indelible void in their lives.
“I am not myself since I heard the news of Lutterodt,” said Gadzo. “James is a son, a friend, and everything. I always used to chat with this young man on WhatsApp, and whenever I encountered him, we shared ideas. Hearing that he is no longer with us has deeply disturbed me and my son. I don’t have many words to express how I feel right now. It could have been my son or anyone else, and I can’t comprehend what has happened. But, in all of this, I give thanks to God because, at this final hour, there is nothing more we can do.”
A pre-burial service took place at the Tema Community Centre in Accra, where Francis Jackson Ahiable, a close family friend, delivered a heartfelt tribute on behalf of James’s mother. She expressed her profound grief and recounted cherished memories of her beloved son.
“You meant everything to me, and you were everything a son could be. You were precious and so wonderful, truly one in a million. Your future held immense promise and potential. It could have been so beautiful, and losing you in your prime is a pain that is nearly unbearable,” read the tribute.
“Why did death have to take you away? Your whole life lay ahead of you, but we trust that God knows best. James, I miss you every day and think of you constantly. How I wish you were still here with us. Though death may have separated us physically, you remain forever in my heart. I shed tears every time I say your name. There is no one who misses you more than I do, and I will cherish my memories of you always because you will forever reside in my heart. Rest in peace, my dear son.”
