Fidelia Ameyo de Souza
(née Hoeglah)
Biography
Mrs. Fidelia Ameyo de Souza (neé Hoeglah)
Fidelia Ameyo de Souza (neé Hoeglah) was born on 25th October 1932 at Hedzranawo, a town located between Denu and Adafienu in the Volta Region. She was the second child of Mr. Bernand Tsevi Hoeglah and Madam Juliana Adolega Adotevi (both of blessed memory), and the younger sister of Josephine, popularly called Phini for short. Fidelia Hoeglah was raised in the town of Denu and attended 3-Town Denu Roman Catholic Girls’ School. Despite her father’s objections about girls being educated, Fidelia, with some help from her mother, worked hard and saved money to be able to attend school and take care of herself and eventually finished at Standard 7 (Form Four). Due to her determination and unwavering pursuit of excellence, she earned the admiration of her Sports Master, Mr. Selormey who trained her in the 100-yard race where she consistently took the first place.
After completing Standard 7 at school, she went to stay with her older sister,Rosina in Lome, Togo. Rosina wanted her kid sister to become a sewing apprentice, but the young Fidelia chose instead to move to the bustling city of Accra to find a job. She loved the city after coming to visit on holidays and Accra would eventually become her permanent home for the rest of her life. Along with her niece, Rosina’s daughter, Comfort, Fidelia saved up money to get transportation to the big city, where she initially stayed with her older brother, Joseph Kwashievi Homawoo at Abossey-Okai.
In Accra, Fidelia and Comfort were initially enrolled in a typing school by her big brother, Joseph Homawoo; where she learned typing and shorthand writing. With this typing and shorthand skills, Fidelia later went to work for Miss Aryee, who had opened a shop rendering post office service at Abossey-Okai. Whilst helping Miss Aryee to run the local post office, she was also helping her big brother’s wife with her maize business by traveling with other traders to buy maize from the hinterland. Fidelia also had a vibrant social life. While living in Accra, she joined a dancing school where she learned European dance styles such as the waltz and quickstep. She cherished these moments, recalling them with fondness for the joy and connections they brought into her life.
Unfortunately, while living in Accra, Fidelia was called back home to care for her seriously ailing mother in Denu. Her mother passed away not long after this, and this experience had a profound effect on the still very young Fidelia,as this was the first time she had ever seen a
person die. Though difficult, she handled the situation with grace. After her mother’s demise, she returned to live in Accra permanently where she secured a job at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in Adabraka, a tobacco manufacturing company. Around this time, she was being pursued by Ernestho de Souza, a quiet but determined young man who had also attended the 3-Town Denu Roman Catholic Boys’School in Denu. Despite his persistence and the encouragement of her own relatives, it took a long time for the headstrong Fidelia to be won over. She eventually tied the knot with Ernesthoon 30th March 1959 and had their marriage blessed on 27th May 1967 at the Holy Spirit Cathedral Catholic Church in Adabraka, Accra. The couple settled at Kokomlemle, and eventually moved into their own home at Abeka Lapaz, where they raised their children and grandchildren. They were married for sixty (60) years, until Ernestho passed away in February 2019.
While at Kokomlemle, Fidelia started petty trading by operating a Provisions store adjacent to the then Israeli Embassy. She later branched into the maize business where she sold her maize at the Mallam-Atta Market in Accra. Subsequently, she became the leader of the Mallam-Atta Market Maize Sellers Association. During Rawlings’ 1979 coup, she led the market women delegation to the Castle (seat of government) to demand return of their seized goods. Her bravery shown on that day earned her the nickname “Iron Lady”. She worked very hard and with the support of her loving husband made sure her children attained their full potentials and had the best education.
Dada loved her family very much. In 1997, when her daughter Nita and husband needed her the most, she made the incredible sacrifice of leaving behind her business and family in Ghana to go to Canada and assist her. In Winnipeg, Dada built great relationships and through her words of wisdom, she became a mother and an inspiration to many, whom she was still in touch with till her departure. Back in Ghana, the home that she and Ernestho made at Lapaz became the hub of the de Souza, Hoeglah, Adotevi and allied families the place to go in good or bad times – for just this reason; in many ways, she helped to create the heart of the family. She also brought many extended family members who stayed with her and either attended school or learnt a trade. Fidelia was deeply loved by her friends and family in the community of Abeka, in the city of Accra, in her hometown of Denu, and in Winnipeg, Canada. Dada, as we fondly called her, or
“the Iron Lady” has impacted many lives over the decades with her strength, resilience and warmth. Her legacy of love, faith, and education will continue to inspire many lives over the decades with her strength, resilience and warmth. Her legacy of love, faith, and education will continue to inspire them for the rest of their lives.
Fidelia was a devoted Catholic who took her Christian life seriously and inculcated that in her children and all who met her. She worshipped at the Holy Spirit Cathedral Catholic Church in Adabraka, and then at the St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Church at Abeka. She was a member of the Knights of St. John International Ladies Auxiliaries No. 409 (noble sister), Ewe Union and St. Anthony’s Guildat the Abeka Parish.
Fidelia suffered a mild stroke in 2017, but the death of her beloved husband Ernestho in 2019 deeply affected her and worsened her condition. She was never her vibrant self again. On Sunday, June 16th, 2024, Fidelia was rushed to Ga East Hospital, where she sadly took her last breath and joined her Creator. She is survived by her four children, Anthony, Juanita, Aurelia, and Patrick, as well as 13 grandchildren. Her parting wish was for her children, grandchildren, and family to support and love each other and live in peace.