Tribute to Odaede Emmanuel Kwaku Haizel (Simpa Payin)

Odaede Emmanuel Kwaku Haizel, affectionately known by your pen name, Simpa Payin—my senior, my Riis House mate from Presec—bold as a lion and deeply patriotic. You loved your country with passion and spoke truth to power in a way only you could: fearless, insightful, and laced with humor that made even hard truths easier to receive.

Today, you have taken your final bow on life’s stage and signed off from the world of social media. Already, your absence is deeply felt across the Odaede platforms and beyond.

You have conquered death and transitioned into eternal rest, carried on the wings of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom you served faithfully all the days of your life.

Permit me to celebrate you. I choose not to cry nor weep, for your legacy is indelible. Your footprints cannot be erased, no matter how time may try.

Odaede Simpa Payin, your loved ones and fans grieve and say goodbye, yet heaven rejoices. You have made it into the bosom of Father Abraham—where a glorious mansion awaits you, a golden crown rests upon your head, and you are robed in white, seated at the right hand of the Father.

Rest well, great soul. Your voice lives on.

Tony Fletcher

On FB, we connect with strangers and reconnect with friends and acquaintances. Some good, some great, a few challenging. You were one of the great ones. I'm sure you made most folks you interacted with feel special, like they had known you all their lives. We would chat on the phone for a while, and then go quiet for a minute... come back with more to share. We followed each other's posts 'liking', 'loving'. Kweenu Haizel, our very own Simpa Panyin, my friend, brother, awesome storyteller, fiercely loyal, proud Odade3, 'Legonite' - I'm still in shock. We had a conversation not too long ago. We talked about your son, Kobbie, your beloved wife - I didn't see this coming and I have a feeling you didn't see it coming either... May your gentle soul rest peacefully in God's loving arms. 

It's not goodbye, it's till we meet again... 🙏🏾💔😭🙏🏾💔😭🙏🏾💔😭

Akuye Dede Djaba

Kweenu Haizel 

My Legonite brother and friend. For some reason this song has been playing in my mind all morning. It felt apt that I dedicate it to you.

You were one of a kind. You shared your pain with humour and we loved you for it.

I bid thee farewell with these words

"I only want to see you laughing in the Purple Rain"

Rest in love bro 💔🖤

Ama Ghunney 

 Kweenu Haizel is also gone? And it was just yesterday?

Ever affable and witty, a very interesting man and supportive. He made his friends smile and laughed a lot too.

Simpa payin! Me yi hwe ka de dayie.

Ewiase ahyiriw adze.

 Manye Aforo

Never met him personally, only knew him on Facebook. 

He came across as intellectually excellent and socially sophisticated.

He was very well-informed and a gentleman 

All this, from afar.

May his soul travel in peace.

Michael K- Poh

This one really hit me hard😢😢😢He was so full of life even through his sickness. Always had a kind word for me… oh! May he rest peacefully in the Lord 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

 Ama OseiBee

Kweenu, rest in the Lord. We built a partnership and friendship in our days covering the Aggrey/Fraser/Guggisberg Lectures on the Hill. The jokes we shared when Professor Goma deflated the widely accepted saying that When Two Elephants Fight the Ground suffers. The imagery he created that THE GROUND STILL SUFFERS WHEN TWO ELEPHANTS MAKE LOVE. REST IN PEACE, BRO

Kwesi Per

I am so heartbroken. He was a lively soul. Like you said his interaction was second to none. He never failed to like, love and comment on my posts. He never failed to interact with me on my birthday. May his gentle soul rest in peace🙏🏾💔😥

Genevieve Belva Engmann 

You wake up early this morning to find out that a childhood friend of yours has passed away. Kweenu Haizel I will forever remember your signature humour and your legendary Simpa tales on your FB wall.

RIP Bro!

Kwasi Kisiedu