In Memoriam of Gerson Konu

by Steven Hogg (Dec 15, 2006)

1932-2006

Gerson Kadzo Gu-Konu (1932-2006)

Gerson Konu was pivotal throughout the 1960s, and beyond in his work with SCI and Amnesty International, in ensuring the beginning of voluntary associations in Togo. His leadership of the Association Togolaise des Volontaires Chrétiens au Travail (ASTOVOCT) was an important medium through which volunteers could use their educational and other specialist skills to enhance the opportunities, especially in education, for people across Togo. Kouma-Adame, the area in which Gu-Konu was born, also benefited directly especially from the educational and teaching skills of ASTOVOC whose principal aim in the area according to contemporary ASTOVOC reports was to ensure the 'élévation au niveau supérieur des partes d'une école à trois classes.' Indeed, according to a contemporary report by B. Dembitzer; 'LESVAT (Les Volontaires au Travail) is an organisation known to all who are involved in any important field of work in the country. They did much good work, both under Gerson Konu and after, but it has had great difficulties.'

One of the principal difficulties that Gerson Konu and some of his supporters was to face was as a Parliamentarian and supporter of Sylvanus Olympio, the first President of Togo after Togo was given independence from France in 1960. Following the coup prominent supporters Olympio, including Gu-Konu, John Doh, Ida Gbadago and Michel and Nicholas Mensah, were interned and often tortured by Government forces claiming they were pro-Olympio conspirators aiming to bring down the new government. Correspondence from Willibert Gorzewski of the World Council of Churches and Albert Lodge of Amnesty International during February 1964, for instance, highlights the difficult treatment that Gu-Konu was to face and his public popularity;

'We also know, from other sources that Gerson Konu commanded considerable respect and affection, amongst the local population, and that it has been suggested that a public trial and heavy sentence would provide further disturbances.

'Taking these facts into consideration, it would seem possible, and even probably, that President Grunitzky wishes to keep Gerson Konu in prison indefintely without formally charging or trying him. Remembering that he was beaten up "almost to the point of death" by guards at a military camp last June the fact that he was in hospital when the Pastor was allowed to visit him is, I think, a cause for anxiety about his treatment and living conditions in detention.'

Gu-Konu was assisted in being released from prison on 13 Janvier 1968 through the work of ASTOVOC and SCI Switzerland activists and volunteers based in Togo, however, as a letter from Theodor Meyer of the Ecole d'Agriculture in Lomé then to Ralph Hegenauer from 9th August 1963 highlights the initial reluctance of the Swiss Government to allow SCI Switzerland members to intervene in another nations affairs and considered the issue a potentially political and diplomatic hot iron for Switzerland. The role of SCI in ensuring Gu-Konu's release cannot be underestimated as a letter from Gu-Konu to SCI on 19 July 1967 upon his release highlights; '...en vue de nous venir en aide pour notre défense au procés et de facilitier notre vie en prison.'

Upon release Gu-Konu was to acitvely contribute to the work of SCI in West Africa and became in essence the primary representive and delegate of the SCI in the region. The Union of West Africa Voluntary Workcamps Association (UWAVWA) also views Gu-Konu as being responsible for first proposing the idea of a West African regional body for volunteer workcamps and for contributing to the initial foundation of the body in Accra, Ghana in 1971. After leaving SCI, Gu-Konu continued to be involved within the international voluntary sector and worked for Amnesty International in Paris, London and West Africa before spending his retirementin Ho, Ghana.

 

Steven Hogg

Trainee in SCI International Archives

References

i) SCI International Archives, La Chaux de Fonds Bibliotheque

1. SCI IA 43725.2

ii) Articles and Internet References

1. Nigel Watt, 'Obituary: Gerson Gu-Konu', The Guardian, Thursday 31 August, 2006.
2. Emmanuel Boccovi, 'Le Parcours De Gerson Kadzo Gu-Konu', Pour la CDPA-BT section de France, 26 Novembre 2006 http://www.letogolais.com
3. Henry Kayode Oyeku, 'Union of West Africa Voluntary Workcamps Associations: Constitution and History', V.W.A.N. - Nigeria, April 2005. http://www.unesco.org/ccivs/New-SiteCCSVI/regionalcooperation/africa/UWAVWA.pdf