Dr. Yaw Ackah, 63 DOVER - Friends of the late Dr. Yaw Ackah, 63, of Dover, may call on the family for viewing from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 12, at the Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, Dover. A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 209 S. State St., Dover. A reception and traditional Ghanaian funeral will immediately follow at 4 p.m. in the MLK Student Center at Delaware State University, 1200 N. Dupont Highway, Dover. Dr. Ackah died at the Johns Hopkins Hospital on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010. Born November 18, 1946, in Sefwi Bekwai, in the Western Region of Ghana, Dr. Yaw Ackah was the son of the Late Opanyin Kwadwo Ackah and Madam Odilia Amma Ataa. Dr. Ackah was born into humble surroundings but hardwork, dedication, perseverance and an undying love of family and a will to succeed propelled him to go beyond his meager means to accomplish a lot and leave behind a legacy beyond the expectations of so many people. He attended Adobewora Primary School and Sefwi Bekwai Methodist Middle School in Ghana. He then went to the Wiawso Training College. After teaching primary school for two years, he attended Winneba Advanced Teachers Training College, following which he taught for two years in secondary school. He then enrolled at the University of Cape Coast, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Sociology. He then taught for one year in Ghana and then went to Nigeria, where he taught for six years in secondary school in English language and Literature. In 1985, Dr. Ackah immigrated to the United States and was joined by his wife Georgina, 18 months later. He attended Howard University in Washington, DC, earning his Master of Arts and the PhD degrees in Sociology and Criminal Justice. An outstanding student, he earned straight A's and graduated at the top of his class. He joined the faculty of Delaware State University as an assistant Professor in 1993, attaining full Professorship status in 2003. Happily married to his wife for 38 years, Dr. Ackah was a caring and devoted family man who took pride in the achievements of his children and his wife, a woman he loves, cherishes, adores, and respects. He was also a beloved and dedicated teacher to his students, many of whom consider him their father beyond home. His reputation among his colleagues as an honest man, a trusted friend and advisor was such that it led him to holding several leadership positions. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter Diana Ackah, in August 2009. Dr. Ackah is survived by his wife, Mrs. Georgina Ackah of Dover; his sons, Mr. Ernest Ackah of Smyrna, Dr. Eric Ackah of Boston, Mass., Mr. Ellis Ackah of Reston, Va., Mr. Michael (Thomas) Kojo Ackah of Germantown, Md., and Mr. Samuel (Kwame) Ackah of Newark; his grandsons, Ernest Ackah Jr. and Zion Ackah of Smyrna, and Franklin Ackah of Ghana. He is also survived by his brothers, Evangelist Thomas Ackah of Silver Springs, Md., Mr. Joseph Ackah, Mr. Ben Ackah, Mr. Paul Ackah and Mr. Anthony Ackah, all of Ghana. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Yaw Ackah Memorial Fund, c/o PNC Bank 505 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 or any PNC Branch in the United States. Letters of condolence may be sent and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.