Gambia mourns death of Archbishop Tilewa Johnson

Family and other sources confirmed to the Daily Observer Wednesday morning that the archbishop was playing tennis at the Fajara Tennis Club when he fell down while trying to hit a ball. 

The Daily Observer visited his family residence where sympathizers and mourners flocked in their numbers to console the bereaved family as well as pay their last respects to the deceased.

Speaking to the Daily Observer, an elder brother to the late archbishop, Rev Victor A. Clayton Johnson, said he could not believe the shocking news about the passing of his brother. He however, opined that the unexpected is what makes life interesting, saying “accepting certain happenings goes down to give experience”.

Asked how he will remember the late archbishop, he said: “I will remember him as my young brother, one mother and father. I was sitting with him two weeks ago in his house but little did I know that after sometime I will not see him again. It is sad but I have accepted it.”

He described his brother`s death as a big loss for not only The Gambia, but the world at large in that he was the first Gambian to be the archbishop of West Africa. 

“He made us feel proud whether Christian, Muslim or free thinker. He was supposed to have a conference in The Gambia in February 2014. He has achieved a lot and I believe that he will be received and given a resting home hereafter because God has blessed him,” he said of his brother.

Speaking of the late bishop’s childhood, the brother said he could remember when the former was young; he used to build “altar” at home to be conducting services.

“It turned out to be that his dream came true. It is only shocking and sad that he has gotten an early home call; only God knows why but let’s thank Him for life. I’m the only one left; my mummy and daddy and the elder brother have all gone. I have to take courage,” he told the Daily Observer. 

    The late archbishop is survived by a wife and three children.        

Bio

The late Telewa Johnson became the first Gambian to become the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of the Province of West Africa when he was elected to the office at the 28 September, 2012 Special Synod of the West Africa Section of the Anglican Communion Church of the Province of West Africa (CPWA), held at Suacoco, Bong County, Liberia. 

The late Bishop had served in various capacities both at the national and regional levels. He served as president, Synod of the Anglican Diocese of The Gambia; chairman, Board of Governors, Rev. J. C. Faye Memorial School, Banjul; chairman, Independent Electoral Commission; chairman, the Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (TANGO); first chairman of GAMWORKS; member, Commonwealth Observer group to two general and regional elections in Guyana, December 1997; chairman, Coordinating Committee for Liberian Refugees (CCLR), Banjul; teacher at Gambia High School, Banjul; chairman, National Dialogue Team, Strategy for Poverty Alleviation; chairman, National Committee on Christianity, Population and Development; member of National Population Commission; Council of Elders for Conflict Prevention and Management in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); chairman, Continental Committee for Ministry to the Uprooted, All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), Nairobi, amongst others.