Theme: A life shaped by learning, reflection, conviction and service
Ellis Koomson was described as a beloved son, husband, father, brother, trusted friend and colleague, as well as a committed servant of Ghana’s labour movement.
Throughout his life, he was known by different names.
In secondary school, he was called “Filanto”; at the University of Ghana, he was affectionately known as “Pages”, reflecting his love for reading and intellectual curiosity.
In the final days of his life, he adopted the name “Paul of Tarsus” following a renewed commitment to Christ.
Birth and Family
Born on 27 July 1982 at Tema General Hospital.
Fifth child of Mr Abraham Koomson and Madam Grace Ampah.
Grew up in Tema.
Married to Mrs Wendy Ellis Koomson.
Their marriage was blessed with two children.
He maintained close relationships with his parents, siblings, wife, children and extended family.
Education
Ellis began his education at:
St John Bosco Primary School, Tema Community 2.
Joint Church Primary School.
Star School, Tema Community 5, where he completed Junior Secondary School.
Aggrey Memorial A.M.E. Zion Secondary School, Cape Coast, where he studied General Arts and completed secondary education in 2001.
In 2002, he entered the University of Ghana, Legon, to study Political Science, with Philosophy as his minor. His undergraduate research focused on the emergence and development of labour unions in Ghana.
He later obtained a Master of Arts in Development Studies, specialising in Social Policy for Development, from the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam in The Hague, Netherlands, in 2013.
His postgraduate studies covered issues including:
Human rights
Poverty
Gender
Social protection
Transformative development
Child labour in Ghana’s cocoa sector
His master’s thesis examined the causes of child labour in Ghana’s cocoa industry and the roles of various stakeholders.
Career and Labour Service
Ellis began working with the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) in 2006 through his national service.
He joined the Federation permanently in 2007 as a Research and Industrial Relations/Labour Officer.
Through his career, he rose to become Head of Research and International Affairs in December 2020, a position he held until his death.
His responsibilities included:
Leading research activities.
Coordinating international engagements.
Providing strategic and research support.
Developing project proposals.
Conducting field and desk research.
Organising workshops.
Maintaining relationships with local and international partners.
His professional work covered issues such as minimum wage legislation, child labour, forced labour, gender inequality, employment conditions, corporate accountability, social protection and sustainable agricultural production chains.
He also contributed to the Federation’s 2022–2026 Strategic Action Plan and programmes dealing with social protection, social security and new approaches to organising workers.
His work took him to countries including Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, Kenya, South Africa and the Netherlands.
He represented the Ghana Federation of Labour at international programmes and several sessions of the International Labour Conference in Geneva.
Final Professional Honour
In June 2026, the United States Embassy in Accra nominated Ellis for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) project titled “Workforce Development: Pathways for Youth.”
The programme was scheduled for 30 December 2026 to 17 January 2027 in the United States.
Although he could not participate because of his death, the nomination was described by his family as one of the final and most significant professional honours of his life.
Personality
Ellis was remembered as:
Calm
Humble
Tolerant
Reflective
Outspoken
Intellectually curious
He was known to engage deeply in discussions, especially on subjects about which he held strong convictions. Even when his views were controversial, they were described as carefully considered rather than casual.
He loved reading and occasionally playing basketball.
Faith
Ellis worshipped at John Wesley Methodist Church in Tema Community 11.
During his final days, on 17 August 2026, while at the International Maritime Hospital, he spoke with his wife Wendy and brother Kenneth about his renewed commitment to Christ.
He asked that he henceforth be known as “Paul of Tarsus.”
His family regarded this declaration as an important expression of his spiritual renewal and a source of comfort following his death.
Illness and Passing
Fell ill on 3 August 2026.
Initially admitted to Sunel Specialist Hospital.
Transferred to International Maritime Hospital in Tema on 6 August 2026.
Passed away on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.
He was 44 years old.
Legacy
The tribute describes Ellis’s legacy as extending beyond his 44 years.
He was remembered for his love for his family, pursuit of knowledge, service to the labour movement, research into workers’ issues, intellectual engagement, faith and relationships.
The tribute closes by reflecting on his three significant names: Filanto, Pages, and Paul of Tarsus, and concludes with a farewell to him as Ellis and Pages.
