Biography

Opanin Isaac Kyeremateng (a.k.a. Old Soldier) was born in 1938 in Ejisu-Onwe (Ejisu) to Madam Abenaa Twere (Adwubi) and Opanin Kofi Nyɛɛse Kyeremateng – all of blessed memory. He was the 20th of 25 children of his father and the 5th child of his mother. He lived with his parents until the age of nine, when his elder brother Kwadwo Owusu, a Police officer, upon informing their parents, came to take his younger brother Isaac to live with him at his post at Asaman Kese, and particularly, to help with his education.

Isaac was intelligent. Entering elementary school at 10 years, he earned about three double promotions that helped him finish Standard 7 (Middle School Leaving Certificate) in 7 years instead of 10! He then returned to Onwe, his home village, and from there moved to Kumasi to learn a trade. But shortly after, he returned from Kumasi to Onwe – surprisingly, in military attire – saying that he had been recruited into the Ghana Army.

Family, Military & Civil Life

Opanin Kyeremateng (soldier man) married at the age of twenty-four to Madam Cecilia Atuahene (of blessed memory) and had two children with her. He then had eight others, giving him ten children from his loins.

His military career took him on tours of duty in and from Accra to Sunyani, and lastly to Takoradi, from where he retired from military service to work with his brother in his Franco Timber Industry for a few years. He then took to professional public transport driving. In his driving career Isaac was counted among the drivers of excellence and rich experience, with minimal road accidents – not only in Ghana but as far as Nigeria. He was a man full of experience in these fields of life and would hold you stunned when you chanced to have him share some with you. He eventually retired from driving with age.

Opanin Isaac Kyeremateng was warm, friendly, welcoming and generous, but outspoken on his views, especially in righting wrongs in behaviour and comportment. He was non-discriminatory towards his family members, friends and all, and he loved children. It was this calibre that, being the last of his mother's children, made him unite the children of his late siblings and do what he could to care for them.

Christian Faith Held to His Death

Baptised and christened Isaac, he remained committed to his Catholic Christian faith, resorting to confession and priestly absolution to remain a communicant even in his time of sickness.

Ageing and ill-health got him in and out of hospital on admissions and discharges. On this occasion, two weeks after his discharge from hospital to receive family and nursing care at home, with his Catholic Church priestly visits and Holy Communion ministered to him, on that fateful Friday, 10th April 2026, Opanin Isaac gave his final breath to join his Maker. We pray that the Good Lord will grant him eternal rest.