Tribute to Alhaji Abubakar Saddick from Anas Aremeyaw Anas
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Alhaji Abubakar Saddick
a quiet minaret in turbulent times,
a pen sharpened by faith, a conscience that would not bend.
In the dark seasons of military rule,
he stood unshaken beside Kofi Coomson, Eben Quarcoo, Kwesi Pratt Jr., Abdul-Malik Kweku Baako, Kabral Blay-Amihere, Haruna Attah, and Charles Wereko Brobby, men who refused silence,
who fought to restore constitutional rule and broke the chains of criminal and seditious libel. Because they stood, truth and freedom stand today.
When he was a student at the University of the Witwatersrand,
and illness slowed his body,
his spirit still raced ahead of us all.
I visited him and, even in weakness, he spoke strength: “Push the frontiers of democracy. Let integrity be your shield.” Those words remain my armour.
At Radio Univers, he was father to many voices—nurturing seedlings into towering trees: Bernard Avle, Nii Arday Clegg, Kafui Dey, Bola Ray, Shamima Muslim, Namau, Dr Amanda Kwofie, Odartey Wellington, DJ Black, Isaac Keledzi, and many more.
I count myself among those he shaped: a relay runner carrying the baton he placed in my hands.
Your days in the Coffee Shop Mafia
live on in memory;
ideas brewed like strong coffee,
strategy stirred with laughter.
We shared bread at our base,
moments with Sister Baby that reminded us that even warriors must remain gentle.
Alhaji lived as a servant of Allah —
humble in walk, measured in speech, firm in conviction.
He knew that the highest court is not of men, but of the Almighty.
May Allah forgive him, widen his grave, fill it with light, and grant him Jannatul Firdaus.
We belong to Allah,
and to Him we return.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas
