TRIBUTE TO PROF JACOB PLANGE-RHULE
BY GHANA KIDNEY ASSOCIATION (GKA)
Your Pride and joy, O Israel, lies dead on the hills! Oh how the mighty Heroes have fallen! 2Samuel 1:19
It is difficult to accept that the pandemic can arbitrarily rob us of our brightest and best!
Prof. Jacob Plange-Rhule is a founding member of the Ghana Kidney Association, founded in 2011.
From a foundation Vice President (2011-2013), he became the Association’s President from 2014-2017.
Prior to the formation of GKA, PR (as he was affectionatelycalled) has spearheaded education on Kidney ailments in Ghana with the institution of an Annual kidney seminar in conjunction with the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) since 2004.
Through his singular influence, both the Annual Kidney Seminar series and the Ghana Kidney Association formed a strong collaboration with the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS). As a result, GCPS became a sponsoring partner of all GKA activities. It came as no surprise therefore when in 2012, GKA in conjunction with GCPS and international partners, hosted a joint African Kidney Conference; the 12thAGSM of African Association of Nephrology (AFRAN) and the 5th AGSM of the African Paediatric Nephrology Association (AFPNA) in Accra, Ghana, in what was described by many international participants as one of the best International conferences to be held on the African continent.
Despite his very tight schedules, PR always demonstrated absolute commitment to the cause of GKA and has always found time to participate in its annual activities namely the World Kidney Day celebration and the Annual GKA CME. He was the main speaker at the public lecture delivered at the just ended2020 World Kidney Day Celebration that took place in Koforidua on 12th March 2020.
His accomplishments as a doctor, a distinguished scientist and investigator are summarized in his biography. What that does not capture was his kindness.
Jacob was a man of sound judgment and one who treated the porter and the minister with the same degree of humility.
It was written of men like Jacob:
God, give us men!
God , give us men! A time like this demand
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands;
Men whom the lust of office does not kill;
Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;
Men who possess opinions and a will;
Men who have honor; men who will not lie;
Men who can stand before a demagogue
And damn his treacherous flatteries without wrinkling!
Tall men, sun-crowed, who live above the fog
In public duty, and in private thinking;
Josiah Gilbert Holland
Prof. J. Plange-Rhule delivering the Keynote Address during the2020 World Kidney Day Celebration in Koforidua, on 12thMarch, 2020.
GKA individual members‘ expressions on Prof. Jacob Plange-Rhule:
We are deeply saddened by your unexpected departure, PR. Indeed, GKA has lost a pillar in its front. A great oak has fallen from the kidney fraternity in Ghana and the world at large. Oh, how are the mighty fallen!
Prof. J. Plange-Rhule, fare thee well! Jacob, Da yie!! PR, Damirifa Due!!!