Atlanta Journal Constitution
Tuesday, August 21, 2001 2:08 PM
Letter to the Editor

Sad News about George Kuntu-Blankson

Dear Friends,

It is with the deepest regret that I must inform you of the death of our good friend Mr. George Kuntu-Blankson in Ghana on Sunday, August 12th. The very sad details were confirmed to this office last week. Funeral arrangements are still being made due to the ceremonial culture of Ghana.

We are told at this time that the celebration of George's life will take place sometime after September 18th. How did this happen to a man in the prime of his life and in the midst of a mission to help his people? We have asked this question over and over as we have tried to understand and make some sense out of this news.

As you recall, George left Atlanta on May 18th to coordinate the 223,000 pounds of books that arrived near that time at the port in Ghana. Following over a year of collecting the books and working through the myriad of details required for humanitarian support from the U.S. Navy, it was time for George to finalize the first step in his mission. I last saw George at the Capitol on May 15th. He was overjoyed that the books were finally on their way. George and the books arrived in Ghana according to plan. George then set to work to distribute the books in remote parts of Northern Ghana. We spoke with George several times by phone and marveled at his task. George was as enthusiastic as ever as he reported his progress to us. Two weeks ago we spoke with George, and he mentioned that he was ill with malaria, but he would begin taking the medication. We naturally were alarmed, but George seemed to take it in stride. On Monday July 13th I received a call from George's wife telling me that George had died in the hospital in Ghana. George's brother had taken him in on Saturday. We have since learned that George also had diabetes, and we are told that the medical resources available to him could not save his life. As we grieved this shocking loss, we talked about how very blessed we are to have access to a medical community that could have prevented this tragedy.

George was strongly encouraged to return to Georgia when he first became ill, but we are told that he felt he could not leave the books unprotected. George's wife told us that he believed he would recover. The family in Ghana and in Atlanta pleaded with him to return for treatment but he felt his mission would suffer for it. Those of you that knew George well would understand his decision. George was the most positive person I have ever known. He spoke often of God's plan for perfection and how it would be carried out only if his messengers were obedient and willing to make the sacrifices necessary. George always began a conversation with a blessing for peace and ended it with another blessing for joy. Conversations with George took getting used to for all of us that met with him often over this last year and a half. George was always full of peace and joy, and it was contagious but a bit strange to the ear of the more logical among us. The first time I saw George was at a meeting at the State Capitol. It was following a phone conversation about his mission on behalf of his people. He explained that he was here representing the Minister of Education in Ghana and he was told by the Department of Education that Achievers International-Georgia might be interested in working with him. During that conversation George was very sincere and also very honest about the lack of technology in Ghana, which would make it very difficult for students in Northern Ghana to participate in the typical economics program that we manage. I arranged to meet George at the Capitol to learn more about his ideas and the rest is history--as we say. Representative Terry Coleman and Representative Jeannette Jamieson met George that day and agreed to help him. George was very proud of their respect for his mission. He looked forward to meeting with them as the book collection grew across our state. George really enjoyed meeting with teachers and students and many of you can recall special moments spent with this soft-spoken man from Ghana. The Hats for Ghana Day at Kedron Elementary School gave him the opportunity to see the faces of so many caring children who wanted to help their counterparts in Ghana. He spoke often of that day. George kept all of us updated with handwritten reports of his progress with the book project over this last year. He always began these letters with a special greeting about joy and harmony and ended them with uplifting sayings to encourage us. I have a file filled with these letters written in his big block printing style. George overcame every stumbling block put before him to realize his dream of the first shipment of books to his homeland from Georgia. He really was an amazing man. As you receive this news and realize the absence of this dear friend in our daily lives, I know you will join me in being grateful that he came our way.

George will be missed, but he finished the race, and I am certain that he has no regrets. Many of you have asked about collecting books this year and receiving more baskets and hats from Ghana. I have spoken with several of George's friends and at this point there is discussion about carrying on the Legacy of George Kuntu-Blankson. I will keep all of you informed about this and welcome your thoughts. You may recall how often George reminded us that as the children of Ghana receive education the world would become a better place. I can see his animated face as he spoke of that better world. George's work on earth is done but he has left many other messengers to carry on--- and I know he is will continue sending each of us a message of peace and joy to encourage us along the way. The last written communication I received from George ended like this---"Thank you for your diligent work of substance. Please continue to enjoy your wonderful free spirit that comes from God."

Thank you, George, for caring so much---