The late Madam Ernestina Bright Obu-Cann was born on the 28th of December, 1959 at Gomoa Apam to the Late John Kwesi Mensah of the Asona Family of Gomoa Odina and Hannah Ampiah of Takyina Aboradze Family of Gomoa Odina.

Madam Ernestina Bright Obu-Cann stayed with her late grandmother Madam Ekua Mbrowah in the early stages of her childhood due to the nature of her parents' work. Both parents were members of Erstwhile Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s worker's Brigade, a paramilitary group in Agriculture. At the age of 5, Madam Ernestina came back to their parents when her grandmother passed on. At the age of 6, she started schooling at Abossey Okai.

When she was 8 years, she assumed the responsibilities of a mother because her parents leave home early in the morning for work so “Sister Adjoa” as we affectionately call her, will bathe her siblings, feed them, and send them to school. She will carry the last born at her back, hold the hands of the others and send them to school and do the same after School. After school, she will bathe them and feed them before her parents close from work. Her peer group in Abossey Okai used to tease her when they see her with her siblings. They will say in Ga “Gbeke bibio ne ef) ni ek3 ebii nyaa School.”

Indeed, Madam Ernestina was a mother from her tender age. A great mother and asset to the family until her demise. She was the caretaker of her mother till she passed on. Sister Adjoa’s death has created a great vacuum in the family. A great mother and a caring one have been lost.

After completing her elementary education at Abossey Okai, she later proceeded to Juabeng Secondary School in the Ashanti Region in September 1979 and completed her sixth-form secondary education in June 1984.

One outstanding characteristic during her school days was that she was always nominated to lead her peers. So, from her primary school to her secondary school days she was in a leadership role. During her secondary school days, she was the house captain for the famous House Four (4) at Juaben Secondary school.

After completing her sixth form in Kumasi, her stirred interest in the hospitality industry caused her to pursue further Diploma courses at the Accra Polytechnic now Accra Technical University.

Madam Ernestina decided to go into catering to support her family after school. She worked for Jackson’s Bakery in Dome owned by Mr. Ameyaw who doubled as Businessman in fishing nets and outboard motors at Cow Lane, Okaishie. The Bakery business boomed as she introduced new baking products. On one occasion after preparing meals for the friends of Mr. Ameyaw on his birthday, the meal was so good that, that the idea of Restaurant at Dome in the late 80s was conceptualized. She planned the entire concept of the restaurant business and managed the bakery as well. Over time, she sought new challenges in her chosen career path, at Red Onions which was operated at the premises of the current Radio Gold, which she did with excellence. When Mr. Kwabena Darko of Darko fame was planning to establish a restaurant in Accra, she was consulted during the planning phase. She practiced this profession till her departure to the world of the dead.

Madam Ernestina was baptized at the Roman Catholic Church in her hometown. When she grew up and became born again in Christ Jesus, She was a very devoted Christian who fellowshipped at the Life Gate Evangelistic ministry since its formation when she was living at Abossey Okai. She was a member of the Church’s women’s fellowship. She proved to be a good Christian. She always put God first and was so serious when it came to the things of God. She was a Sunday school teacher for the children. She exhibited her love for children wherever she found herself.

On 9th December 1995, Tina got married to the late Mr. Emmanuel Obu-Cann and focused on building her home. After marriage, considering the tedious nature of the catering work, she worked as a Store Manager for the wife of the late Dr. Hanson, who owned and operated a wholesale and retailing outlet for Cosmetics products at Mokala Accra.

When she started having children, she decided to be closer to her children; therefore, she started an event planning business and offered catering services for the events as well.

Tina's last place of work was Harrynon Catering Service at Kanda from September 2004 till she passed on.

Tina's days are done now and she has been called to glory after a race well and truly fought. On 5th April 2022 she was admitted to the Ridge Hospital and she passed away during the recovery phase after she was discharged from the hospital on 19th May 2022 at Kanda. She was survived by four children and a granddaughter.

Above all, Madam Ernestina has proven to be a good mother, sister, aunt, and wife. Family, church, and friends have lost a great woman.

We pray that the Almighty God whom you have served faithfully finds a place for you in His beautiful bosom.

As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For as the wind passeth over it and it is gone, and the place thereof shall know it no more(Psalm 103 verses 15-16) KJV.