We met Dr. Sengretsi at Bawku Hospital in 1981, where we were posted for our district clerkships in our final year in medical school. Dr. Sengretsi and Dr. George Oduro who were at Bawku as medical officers ensured that we had a very enjoyable and memorable time.
I believe their hospitality and mentoring served in no small part for us deciding to work in Bawku after our housemanship. In early 1984, during the harmattan season, we arrived in Bawku as young medical officers and this time met Dr. Sengretsi, as Dr. Oduro had moved on for further studies.
Seth, as we all called him, left no stone unturned to make our stay even more enjoyable than our student days, seeing that this time round we were in for a longer sojourn. We arrived in the middle of a raging Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) epidemic that used to affect the northern part of the country every now and then.
Seth made sure we learnt all that we needed to learn and would always make it a point to take us along with him on his calls to teach us one procedure or the other. It was not only at work that he impacted our lives. When we arrived, he took us into his home as part of his young family and insisted on Gloria feeding us, saying that he did not want us to become malnourished.
Indeed, Gloria provided for us on a daily basis until one day we just did not appear for lunch after work. This did not go down well with Seth and family and we had to offer profound apologies to Gloria, especially as she had already prepared a meal for her 3 doctors as always.
We fondly remember the trips to Cinkase, Bitou, Mognori and Misiga on our off duty days, when he will toot the horn of his car inviting us for a trip and also the occasional trips to Ouagadougou to see off a fraternal worker. Similarly, he was the soul of our parties and will always guarantee that all that was needed was available for us to have a good time.
After he left for further studies, we lost touch a bit, but the endearment was never lost. Kwadwo had an opportunity to visit him in Sterling in 1993 and he again laid it on for him and his young family, showing them around that region of Scotland.
After his studies, he initially came to work in Agogo Presbyterian Hospital but finally settled in Kumasi where he practiced as an Obstetrician Gynaecologist for a long time.
Unfortunately, he suffered from a neurological illness that severely limited him. He recovered and was able to work for a few years before he finally retired and settled in Accra. By this time the neurological problem had recurred, and he became completely home bound.
During these difficult years, Gloria stayed by his side and together with the children and her mum, cared for him to their utmost best. Our visits to him continued as difficult as it was but we did promise Gloria to continue as long as it was possible. Unfortunately, COVID arrived and it pained us even more as the occasional visits had to be curtailed.
In all, we remember Seth as a caring senior brother who held our hands in the formative years of our careers and stayed with us all the way.
We at this time would like to put on record our gratitude to Gloria for the sumptuous meals she provided us to stay off malnourishment in two young bachelors and for taking care of our brother till the end.
The loss of a dear one in whatever circumstances is difficult for all concerned and it will be no less so for Gloria, Kevin and Kwame. We pray the Lord strengthens and comforts you through this time and always.
Seth, our dear senior brother, may the angels receive you into their eternal rest.
May his soul rest in peace.