Kojo was a brave and loyal friend when I needed one. He gave me a job! He was endlessly kind but firmly refused to allow me to wallow in self-pity and I was able to re-group. I know Kojo never saw it as such, but the debt I owe him is immense. Endless integrity, a soaring intellect and a huge heart. A giant walked among us. May he rest and in peace.

— 18 March, 2021

The shocking, saddening and sudden demise of Kwodjo Bentsi Enchill has been a reminder and a reawakening of how transitory life is. Knowing that there is so much to celebrate for your accomplished life is comforting.

I met you Kojo for the first time in the late 1970”s when your courtship with Mercy had only just started. It was in the era when close christian friends felt entitled to be protective of Yaa Yaa. Whatever the occasion, I admit (and on behalf of others) that my motivation at the time was simply that as an accomplice to what I now call “a mission of spies from The Mercy tribe of friends to explore territories”. My sister who had come on visit at the University of Ghana Legon where my youthful Chrife passion was aflame at the time reminds me of how she tagged along on “the mission”. We were prayerfully checking you out in the tradition of Joshua and Caleb on behalf of our dear sister Mercy. Thankfully, we came away seeing with eyes of faith which was duly honoured.

“We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” was our assessment and verdict. How remarkable it is to know, many years on, about your journey to personal faith in Christ. Your outstanding legacy of integrity and inspiration remains.

Kojo, Your hospitality especially during our visits to Ghana in 2015 and 2019 was top notch. The conversations, visions, itinerary and prayers we shared together were by divine appointment and they will always hold a special place in my heart; memories to be cherished indeed.

I recall the precious events that occurred on the last day we were due to fly back to London. During that Sunday morning our drive to your church, Qodesh became a memorable time of quality sharing blessed experiences, which with hindsight were deeply empathetic. You did not waste time and space on trivia or pleasantries in the car. You asked “What is it like?” and the blessing was mutual. When in my nativity I blurted out a serious offer to return your hospitality your warm acceptance was flattering.

Memories of the guided tour around the new BELA office building in 2015 and the subsequent conversations in the roof garden continue to inspire my dreams, vision and hopes.

You so kindly offered internships to grateful UK based young lawyers and students we referred to you over the years.

Unusually on that Sunday evening of departure it turned out that you would Chauffeur my family to the airport, via the unusual route and bade us an unusual final farewell.

Your last memorable words to me after had personally helped to offload our luggage were “Take care. Hope to see you in London”

My deepest condolences to Yaa Yaa, Ekow, Baaba and your entire family

May you Rest In Peace “Big Brother Kojo”

— 18 March, 2021

Dear Kojo,
I decided to write this letter to you. You mean so much to me in so many ways.

I was at the Law Faculty Library in my third year at the University of Ghana when I was told about an opportunity to assist with some due diligence work at Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Mate (as it was then called). I rushed to join a few other classmates without knowing what due diligence meant. What was important to me at the time was the money we were going to be paid. The next few days became our best time not because of the due dilifence work but because of the papaye and fanta or coke that our boss Sadia Chinery-Hesse bought for us during lunch. Not even the Kumi-preko demonstration could stop us from going to work ...it was papaye all the way. I wondered what kind of Law Firm gave out so much food at lunch time. It was Christmas every lunch time. I wanted to work here forever. We heard Sadia and her colleagues mention Kojo and KBE so often and I assumed they must be some colleagues. It was only when I met you for the first time that I realised Kojo and KBE were one and the same person.

It was a mixed experience for me in my early years of the practice. But one thing was clear, Kojo you were firm but very loving. I remember when we finished a memo around 11pm one day and you left me in the office to send the memo to the client. Those were the days when one had to send an email or fax hundred times before the email will leave your inbox. I had tried so many times to email and/fax to no avail. I finally left the office around 1am saying to myself "I have tried".

I walked in the next morning leisurely (woman of leasure as you would say😀) and your first question was 'did you send the work?'. I started to stammer. Long story short I received the best blastings of my life. You asked me why I did not think out of the box...you also asked if I had heard of Busy Internet before and asked why I didn't think of going to Bush Internet to send the memo which I knew the client was waiting for.

That was a turning point! And to the glory of God through your training I got the opportunity to co-found Oxford & Beaumont Solicitors and was the Senior Partner until my exit in 2012 and by the same grace today I have the privilege of heading ENSAfrica Ghana, Africa's largest law firm. Kojo thank you for being firm with me in my formative years.

A few other things I will like to mention Kojo. My wedding gift list had made the rounds in the office and every one dodged the big items. You heard a few days to the wedding that there was a gift list. You asked why I did not share it with you. I joked with you that it was circulating to my friends and you told me you were also my friend. I reluctantly sent you the list and to my surprise you picked the biggest item on the list and a few days later I was a proud owner of a white- westing house microwave! ⁰How many people had microwaves in their homes at the time...me too I dey some!

More recently when I was planning to relocate to Ghana from South Africa, I visited you in your office. I discussed my plan to return to ENSAfrica and you were happy for me. We talked at length about everything, about Auntie Mercy, the twins, Kwamina and my kids. I shared the challenge with my daughter and you recommended some doctors. When I finally relocated, I sent you a message asking for the contact details of the doctors. A few days after our first visit to the doctor, I sent you a message thanking you for your recommendation. My daughter was much better. Today my daughter is back in school by the grace of God. Thank you Kojo!

Oh Kojo I remember another thing😀. When I joined BELM as a pupil, I could not type and had hardly seen a computer. You graciously sent me off to ABSC to learn word, excel etc as you did with all who arrived at your door. After my training at ABSC, I decided to challenge myself and learn to type. I downloaded the ATI typing tutor and would practice every morning from about 7am to about 8am. One day you walked into the library which was my office and saw me practising, that was the end of my day😀. You gave me one month to be able to type 45 words per minute. You were going to test me at the end of the period. I was not amused! Why? I am doing my own thing too now its a test matter? But Kojo had said it and there was no negotiation. Today I owe my professional fast typing to you.

Again I remember sitting next to you during a Christmas party. I was happy to sit next to you but Kojo you only talked about work. "So Ameena! how is the memo going"? "Its going well" was my response. I hoped and prayed that, that was not to be the end of my Christmas party...but it indeed it turned out to be a memo session. When I commented "Kojo its a Christmas party" you asked me how that stopped one from discussing work😀. I made up my mind, "next year I will avoid Kojo like a plague during the Christmas party". I did exactly that. I timed the sitting arrangement and made sure the distance was good enough to avoid any work discussion😀

One last one Kojo, I remember how happy we were when you told us you were travelling...it was opportunity to take long lunch breaks to eat fufu at Asylum Down. And then I remember the many instructions you would leave with different people only for us to hear you were going away for just 3 days...only 3 days!? Today our hearts are heavy that you are travelling for good. But the good news is that you are travelling to your heavenly father where you will be peaceful forever.

Good bye Kojo🙏🏿.

Amina

— 17 March, 2021

Uncle Koko, we miss you. It's hard to believe you are gone. You touched our lives more than we could ever repay. We will cherish the memories for a lifetime.
May God comfort you Aunty Mercy, Kwamena, Baaba and Ekow. We are comforted knowing Uncle Kojo rests in peace with our Gracious Father.

— 17 March, 2021