Biography of Engineer Andrew Amuna

BIOGRAPHY OF ANDREW MBABILA AMUNA

Andrew Mbabilla Amuna; Associate Engineer, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories

We are gathered here today to say goodbye and celebrate the life of a great young man and remember him for everything he meant to each of us. First of all, I want to thank you all for joining us today. Andrew’s family really appreciates your being here today for this farewell.

Andrew was born in Midway clinic at Achimota in the morning on June 11, 1994, in Accra, Greater Accra Region of Ghana. He was the second of three sons— a brother to Fred and Mbora Amuna. His parents Ing. William Amuna and Genevieve Amuna christened him Andrew Mbabilla Amuna. Together, the family lived in Tema Community 3 and later moved to West Legon in Accra.

Growing up in the Community, Andy was a member of the “VRA Kids”, children whose parents worked at the Volta River Authority (VRA). He was always all over the place in the VRA yard in community 3. His friends and their parents called him many names including Andy, Mbabi, Baby Andy, Baby Baby, Boy Lollipop among others. His mother called him Andybila if she was so happy with him for doing something she loved. His friends, Kobby, Nana Kofi, Kwesi, Daniella, Akos and others recall how Andy could rally them to engage in various activities. This, he did with dedication and selflessness. He was also a good story teller and till date his friends remember his story about Daniella falling into the barrel of liquid soap.

Andrew attended the Tema Parents’ Association School from the nursery in 1999 and completed his junior high school in 2009. As a kid in the Tema Parents’ Association School, Andy had a signature BMW sound he imitated whenever he had to go home from school. Only Andy could make that sound and that almost became a part of his identity. Interestingly, when he joined SEL, his region was compiling videos of everyone’s “unusual talents”. Guess what, Andrew sent in a video of him making car sounds.

His dad recalls his interaction with Andy when he was preparing for his basic school examination. He gave Andy some tasks to complete in preparation for his exams. He was shocked to see Andy playing computer games when he returned. To his surprise, Andy said he had finished studying and was ready for the exam. “How possible?” his father wondered aloud. With Andy, however, that was possible. Indeed, Andy excelled in all his subjects when the results were released.

Andrew continued his Senior high school studies in Achimota School, from 2009 to 2013, where he studied science and, once again, excelled in his Senior High School examinations. He went on to study for the Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). At KNUST, he was President of the Electrical Engineering Students Association.

As a child, Andrew was interested in flying as his parents often bought the children various toys like planes and helicopters. Indeed, after his SHS, he approached his father to sponsor him to a flying school. His dad had a tough time convincing him to go to the University first. He finally agreed to his dad’s proposal and chose Electrical Engineering possibly because of some inspiration from his dad and his big brother Fred.

Andy brought a lot of joy and honour to his family and loved ones when he graduated with a First Class degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in 2017. The most admirable part of this story is the fact that his dad had been invited as the Guest Speaker of the Graduation ceremony. A picture of dad and son hugging after he received his certificate was captivating.

Andy started his National Service with the Early Power Generating Company, which was undertaking the construction of a Power Plant in Tema, and his dad recalls the head of the project telling him Andy was the best thing he ever gave him.

Immediately after National Service, Andy left Ghana in January 2019 to the US to study for a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte (UNC, Charlotte). He was a teaching assistant at the University. He graduated in January 2021 as the best graduating student and was automatically chosen as the valedictorian. His speech during the graduation trended for a long time.

Andy graduated with a GPA of 4.0 and was inducted into The Honour Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the United States’ oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honour society.

After graduation, Andy got employment at the same Company his brother worked with—Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories.

Andrew was a wonderful person. He was a great friend to many and inspired many with his charisma and intelligence. He had a warm personality and a smile that was permanently on his face. He was humble, relatable, kind and gentle with others, and was always the first to greet with his ever-present smile. 

A staunch Catholic, Andy became the chapel prefect whilst at Achimota School. He was always punctual at church and was trained as a lector. He just started reading in Church in Ghana when he left the country but continued whilst in Charlotte.

He was gentle and unwavering, always willing to help others, and was very determined to excel in everything he did.  We are very proud of the wonderful son, brother, nephew, cousin and friend that he was.  He was with us for just a very brief moment but we are a better people for having the privilege of having him for that short period.

Andy loved kids so much and would always go and start playing with kids anytime he arrived at a function. We were all looking forward to seeing him marry and start his own family. Now, we can only imagine how wonderful a dad Andy would have been to his children.

To have lost Andy is heart wrenching – it has come as such a shock to us all. His life was far too brief. We had wonderful times together and we will cherish that.

The Amuna family wishes to express our heartfelt thanks to all those who have given their support, compassion and love throughout this very difficult time. We know in our hearts that he would not want us to grieve for too long. Rather, Andy would want us all to remember the good times we all shared with him.

Goodbye, precious Andy. You will live in our hearts forever.