Events 

BRIEF ON REV. FR. DR. SAM WOOD

BIO OF LATE REV. FR. DR. SAM WOOD

 

The world has lost a fervent Priest of the Sanctuary of Almighty God, a Geoscientist, a

Surveyor, a Cartographer, an Oil Explorer, above all an ardent Minister of retrieval of God’s

stolen lands, who unapologetically, and enthusiastically to a fault claim encroached God’s lands

on back during ministry.

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Heaven, however, has gained all the above and more, plus, a great Tenor singer to the Choir of

the Saints of the Highest God to the Glory of His Holy Name. Our God is indeed a frugal

Businessman!

The level of shock we have had by the demise of our Dear brother Rev. Fr. Dr. Sam Wood has

been unimaginable. Yet, we are quick to reckon the truth in God’s word in Ecclesiastes 3.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. A

time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot” (Eccl. 3:1-2).

This truth is real. Yes! One can say:

“It is easier said than go through the pain of losing a treasured and a loved one!”

When suddenly confronted by this truth, we find ourselves reluctant to accept reality, especially

when indicators were so promising. By faith we stood guided by our trust in the efficacy of God’s

promises, and belief that God will be merciful and complete our brother’s healing. Having

embarked on fasting, midday, and midnight prayers for him and others we were interceding for,

it is an understatement to state our pain at losing him so suddenly.

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Here we see the truth of God’s Word:

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to

his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that

we have what we asked of him,” (I John 5:14-15).

By this Scripture, we ask ourselves; were we praying amiss? Who knows the mind of God to

ask questions concerning His Servant of His Holy Sanctuary?

“In ALL THINGS, GIVE THANKS” (I Thess. 5:18).

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Rev. Fr. Dr. Sam Wood was the second child to Frank Reuben Wood, Esq. and Teacher Victoria

Ellis-Essuman, both of blessed memories. His birthplace was European Town, Sekondi, Ghana.

He was named after his paternal Grandfather, renowned Architect and the founder of Gold

Coast Boys Scout, late Samuel Wood.

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Professional duties of trekking and transfers of his parents made young Sam join young Aunties

and Uncles who were being raised in Cape Coast, Bakaanu, by his Great Grandmother, Mrs.

Victoria Nash Smith, ably supported by widowed, daughters, Mrs. Winniefred Huges and Mrs.

Emma Manly-Spain, all of blessed memory. Young Sam thus enjoyed his formative years in

Cape Coast, growing up among his aunties, uncles, and later cousins. Chief among them were

one of the family matriarchs, Madam Vida Erica Smith, UK, and His Excellency, H. E. Victor

Emmanuel Smith, current Ghana’s Ambassador to USA. The rest of those raised with Fr. Wood

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were Navy Officer, Lt. Joseph Smith, Foreign Service Diplomat John Henry Manly Spain, and

General Joseph Smith all of blessed memory.

He started his education at the late Mrs. Blankson’s Nursery School at Aboomu, Cape Coast

and continued at the iconic Phillip Quacue Anglican Boys school.

To keep young Sam on the straight narrow path, he was trained to be an Altar Server, very early

in life. Together with his cousin Rev. Dr Nash Richard Smith, Parish Priest of St. James Leitrim,

Canada, he served in the Holy Sanctuary through to High School at Aggrey Memorial

Secondary School. He joined the Ridge Church Choir when he came down to Accra for his

professional training at the Ghana Institute of Cartography and Survey.

Series of Government scholarships saw him out in Australia then to Holland pertain oil

exploration. Fr. Wood joined the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) after his return

from studies.

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After a couple of years, he proceeded to the University of Edinburgh Scotland for his Master of

Science degree and to fulfill his childhood dream of priesthood, he went to pursue Theological

and Divinity course and completed with doctor of ministry at the Trinity Theological Seminary,

Legon. He completed after the defense of his thesis on the” Preservation and Protection of

God’s lands world-wide, the Case Study on Ghana, in reference to Anglican Diocesan

encroached lands.

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Amid all his hustle and bustle, God called His Servant Home to the Bossom of Father Abraham,

(Luke 16:22-23), on 21 st of August 2025. Father Wood is at rest in the Lord, Amen.

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Rev. Fr. Dr. Samuel Papa KofiSam Wood left behind his wife:

Mrs. Audrey Nyamekeh Wood, (Mother Wood) Children, Samuel Donald Nash Wood, Victoria

Winniefred Frankleen Nash Wood, Eva Saalah and Lucy Sallah.

He also left behind siblings, Rev. Dr. Katherine S. Wood Carboo (Mrs.), Lawyer Henry Wood,

Mr. Frank Wood, Ms. Henrietta Wood, Ms. Victoria Nash Wood, Isaac Oduro, Ms. Eleanor

Davies, Mr. Joseph Essuman and cousins, Mrs. Winniefred Rhule Gyepi-Gambra, Dr. Mrs.

Gloria Quansah, Mr. Eric W. Ashun, Mrs. Eleanor Butler-Afful, Mr. Sam N. Wood and their

siblings.

May he rest in peace and resurrect in glory in Christ Jesus, Amen