People & Lifestyle
Ninety and Grateful: Mrs. Gloria Phyllis Ghartey
The famous American writer Tia Walker said “To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors.” Tia is the author of best selling book The Inspired Caregiver – Finding Joy While Caring for Those You Love.
This was exactly what Mrs. Ekua Zara Ghartey Tsagli bestowed on her nonagenarian mother Mrs. Gloria Phyllis Ghartey.
Mrs. Tsagli from my observation over the years as a friend on facebook knows how to throw fabulous parties. She’s got all the minute details figured out.
I wasn’t so surprised when videos of her mother’s 90th birthday was making rounds on social media. I said to myself Kukua is at it again.
As the crème of Ghanaian and particularly Accra’s society converged to celebrate her mother in their colouful outfits. It was indeed a high fashion event.
The high brow birthday party was held at the plush Labadi Beach Hotel. Preceding with a church service and later guests being treated to the choicest of the hotel’s dishes.
I was telling a friend, folks who belong to “Old money” have a way of splurging their money it evokes class. To borrow from current parlance. It’s “mindful and very demure”.
A colleague who knows I like glamorous stuff walked to my desk to show me the videos and I told her I’ve seen it already. She was particularly in love with Aunty Kukua’s magenta gown and fascinator.
Forgive me I don’t know colours too well. For me the colour of Aunty Kukua’s outfit is magenta. I stand to be corrected.
Watching a playback of the event on YouTube. I was particularly impressed with the work that went into making the birthday “girl’s” day special. The decor, guests, clergy, music and selection of women with class, style and character who spoke about the positive impact Aunty Gloria has had on their lives.
Auntie Gloria traces her roots from Sempe in Accra. Her father Mr. John F. Acquaye a Ga man who settled in Winneba.
She is a trained teacher, she married her late husband a career diplomat who worked with the ILO Mr Kweku Atta Ghartey. Who later became the Paramount Chief of the Effutu Traditional Area with the stool name Nana Ghartey VI.
As a wife of a diplomat she had the opportunity of meeting royalty and world leaders where she wine and dined with.
Known for her impeccable sense of fashion and style. Even at 90 she knows how to put it together. She is regarded as a quintessential woman of class.
One of Auntie Gloria’s key attributes is her love for people no matter one’s social standing. One of the reason for her long life is; she doesn’t bear grudges. She easily forgives and moves on.
She is a lover of life and all the good things it has to offer. A proud and staunch Methodist. A founding member of Immanuel Methodist Society, East Airport.
I pray for long life with good health for her and waiting for her centenary birthday which I know the good lord will grant her.
I patiently wait to see what her dear daughter Auntie Kukua will pull off for her centenary birthday celebrations.
The master photographer and king of lens as I describe him. Mr. Yaw Pare was the official photographer for the party.
Indulge me as I share some of the photos from the event.
My prayer is, God bless us all to honor our parents in such a way.
Thanks for enjoying the read.
Photo credit: Yaw Pare
