Justice Crabbe Laid to Rest

The funeral for the former Supreme Court Justice, Professor Vincent Cyril Richard Arthur Charles Crabbe, popularly known as V.C.R.A.C Crabbe, though opened to the public, saw in attendance a few hundred sympathisers; the Presidency, political leaders, family and friends.

The PUBLISHER can only describe the event as solemn and comforting as it was devoid of the usual red and black apparel usually worn by Ghanaians during funerals, to convey the mood of mourners.

This time around, the colour was either white, black or both and the degree of despair in the eyes of mourners was less compared to other national funerals the country had held in the past six months or so.

Though some faces were waxed in pain and a few eyes puffed―struggling to hold back grief, the general atmosphere was one of gratitude to the Almighty, for a life well lived.

Big Wigs  

The state funeral service which was held in honour of the consummate public servant at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) saw in attendance the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo, and the Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Aaron Ocquaye.

Other dignitaries include Ghana’s immediate past presidents; Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama.

Parliamentarians, government officials among others were also present.

A Few Tributes

It would be expected that at the funeral of a consummate stateman, the tributes would have poured out―unrestrictedly but for Justice Crabbe, just a few glowing tributes were enough to elaborate the impact he made.

His children had yesterday described him as a strict disciplinarian and a lover of books and knowledge.

“Daddy lived in his books and his paper work and he spent many long nights and many early mornings in this study. I don’t know if he had any other interests,” his daughter said amidst smile as though recalling old times.

Madam, Anna Crabbe, the 102-year-old sole surviving sibling of the late professor said, growing up, her brother had a sharp tongue and the tendency to get into trouble.

“But beneath your wit, laid great intelligence, we knew you were made for the world…we all knew we were bound for greatness; your standards were so high yet you were so humble,” she eulogised.

Other tributes came from the Ghana Armed Forces, old students of the Accra Academy Senior High School and from Justice Crabbe’s family of which he was head until his passing on the Friday, September 7, 2018.

It was however a bit disturbing when no tribute was read from the Judiciary―a sector where he had played an unprecedented role.

There was also no tribute from the presidency though both the first and second gentlemen of the land were present.

President Akufo-Addo however, had earlier described the late professor as aman of discipline, honesty and integrity – qualities he believes made him an outstanding servant of the Ghanaian people.

V.C.R.A.C Crabbe after the service was laid to rest after a private burial procedure.

By: Grace Ablewor Sogbey/ [email protected]