Even John Hyde must die – A tribute to my friend

John Hyde, a friend for as long as he could remember, was an exceptional professor of mathematics at the University of Ghana. Born in the Legon community, he was a courageous and outspoken leader who stood up against military rule alongside other academics. My late father, also a professor named John, had high regard for John Hyde, praising him for his exceptional courage, integrity, and discipline.

As children, we formed our own opinions of John Hyde after listening to our parents discuss the politically charged atmosphere of the time. I knew John Hyde's lovely wife, Aunt Faustie, who was a scholar in English and a mother figure to us. Prof. Hyde was a no-nonsense man with Spartan discipline, and I saw him as someone to be respected, even if intimidating.

As I grew older, my perception of John Hyde changed. Life taught me that he was a man who worked tirelessly for truth and development, shunned publicity, and pursued the harder right over cheap popularity. He was determined to use his commitments to improve the well-being of his countrymen, addressing issues such as poverty, ecological destruction, and underdevelopment.

John Hyde was an honest and intellectual scholar who valued debate and logical reasoning. He was willing to change his mind when convinced, but had high standards for engagement. He was an eclectic scholar with deep interdisciplinary interests, and I learned a great deal from him. He enriched my life by encouraging, challenging, and inspiring me, and he referred to me simply as "my good friend."