What can you say with the loss of such a treasured soul? Tope was a beautiful bright star of a human being and wrapped her celestial light around all of those who knew her. She lit up a room with her infectious laughter and beaming smile.

Funny, kind, thoughtful and incredibly intelligent, I was privileged to have met her at Exeter University through our mutual friend, Afia, and later spent several memorable weeks with her and the extended Addo family in Ghana when Adwoa and Adu got married at the beginning of 2009, which was one of the best and most life-affirming trips of my life.

She was also the only other person I knew that appreciated the 'velvety' music (and man!) of American R&B artist, Maxwell, so I'd like to dedicate his song 'Pretty Wings' - which she once told me was 'divine' - to her memory.

Tope was a wise and embracing character with a zest for life and love that is rare, which I will always marvel at whenever I think of her. My thoughts and prayers to her family and friends, who I hope can find some solace from the boundless good she left behind. X