Obed Kwesi Brew

Sunrise: January 31st, 1943 Sunset: January 6th, 2026

‘Tis Jesus the first and the last

Whose spirit shall guide us safe home We’ll praise Him for all that is past And trust Him for all that’s to come.

- Joseph Hart, MHB 69

Mr. Obed Brew, affectionately called Paa Kwesi was born in Sunyani, Gold Coast (modern day Ghana) on Sunday, January 31st,1943. He was the third son and fifth child of his parents Mr.Joshua Harrison Brew of Saltpond and Apam, a civil servant with the then Ghana Post and Telecommunications Department (P&T) and Madam Rebecca Esi Pobuah Greene, a petty trader from Saltpond and Abandze. Unfortunately, in 1947, his mom Madam Rebecca Greene, passed on due to postpartum complications and the young Paa Kwesi and his siblings were sent to live with their maternal grandma Madam Alberta Ekua Sekyiwa Taylor in Saltpond.

Paa Kwesi began his education at the Government School in Saltpond. He was a brilliant boy and in 1958 after obtaining his Middle School Leaving Certificate, he passed the Common Entrance Exam and gained admission to Ebenezer Secondary School in Accra where he completed his GCE O’ Level in 1963. While in Accra, he stayed with his uncle, Mr. Herbert Kobina Eduako Greene affectionately called Uncle Brother. During his first term exams at Ebenezer Secondary School, he took the fifth position and was granted full scholarship during his entire time. After his O’ Level he obtained his A’ Levels at Accra Academy. While still a student at Accra Academy, he secured a teaching position at Ebenezer Secondary and hoped to make teaching his profession however, his A’ Level results were outstanding, so upon the insistence of Uncle Brother, he furthered his education at the University of Ghana, Legon, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Linguistics. He still taught at Ebenezer Secondary during his University days.

While still a student at Legon, he met the beautiful Comfort Ekua Quansah through his big sister Mrs. Elizabeth Djabatey nee Brew. They later got married traditionally and in 1981, they had their white wedding in London, UK where he had gone for further studies in Hotel Management. Their union was blessed with four children, a girl and three boys.

Obed worked with the State Hotels Corporation in Ghana and was Manager of great hotels like Ambassador Hotel in Accra, Volta Hotel in Akosombo, Kumasi City Hotel, Kumasi Catering Rest House, Sunyani Catering Rest House, Atlantic Hotel in Takoradi, and Continental Hotel in Accra. He also took an instructor and administrative position with Hotels and Catering Services Organization. In the early 1990s when State Hotels were privatized, he accepted the Hotel Manager position at Sanaa Lodge in Accra until 1996 when he moved to the United States.

In the United States, he was resident in Virginia and worked with Dunbar until his retirement and then moved to California in 2019 to be closer to his adult children and grandchildren.

Paa Kwesi was born into a Christian home and was baptized and confirmed into Methodism. Everywhere he was stationed, he joined the local Methodist Church and contributed to the advancement of the gospel. At St. Mark’s Methodist Church, Darkuman in Accra where he last worshiped before moving to the United States, he was President of the Men’s Fellowship, Choir Patron and Chairman of the Harvest Committee. In Virginia, he was a member of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church.

Paa Kwesi was a loving husband and father and a disciplinarian even though he was soft spoken. He was very generous and opened his arms and home to his extended family. Anona Ebusua of House No C22, Eguabado Street, Saltpond and Abandze have indeed lost a gem. We console ourselves that he is resting with his maker where there is no pain or sorrow.

Rest well Mr. Obed Paa Kwesi Brew. God be with you till we meet