We met Seth Sengretsi as new entrants at the Ghana Medical School in 1974. Seth had attended St Augustine’s College, so for many of us it was our first time meeting him, and that started a journey from Legon and through Korle-Bu, that took us in very many directions and that has morphed into a brotherhood and sisterhood extending over 40 years now.
We have had a rather extended period of sadness as Seth had been unwell for several years now but we have tried to keep up with him and his family and there have been several visits by various classmates over time. We have remained attached to him because that was the way he was attached to us when we were in Medical School and when after qualification we all started to develop careers and trained and worked in different locations.
He was one to seek out each and everyone of us and always be ready with a nickname and a joke, no matter what situation you are in. Seth went around with an eternally cheerful demeanor, demonstrating that deep heart that protests against all kinds of injustice while always pursuing fairness and justice.
He was a sports enthusiast and played Tennis for his well-being. He was a sharp, very gifted and deeply logical student and professional colleague whose intellect did not lead to arrogance but who remained humble and always friendly.
We shall always remember the sessions together when a lecturer is late and Seth conjures up some joke or even a song to keep our energy up. You did have to watch out when he might start teaching an Ewe song to a non-speaker, always a practical joker, you had to check words carefully before repeating them elsewhere…
He further trained as an Obstetrician-Gynecologist in Glasgow, and was subsequently appointed a lecturer at KNUST with a clinical practice at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi for many years before his unfortunate long-term illnesses set in and he had to stop working. He helped train many cohorts of medical students as doctors who are currently serving across Ghana and some parts of the world.
For many of us who had visited him during his period of illness, we are touched by the devotion and love that his dear wife Gloria (who has been with him since our medical school days) had for our dear brother Seth.
She has been a great example of what a caring companion should be and taught many of us some lessons in living life together and we are all immensely appreciative of the care she gave Seth.
THANK YOU GLORIA!
It is said that:
“A true friend is never truly gone. Their spirit lives on in the memories of those who loved them.”
and this statement reflects our feelings about Seth.
Dr. Seth Sengretsi – friend, brother, classmate – Rest in Perfect Peace, Adieu