“If I was young now, I’d love to get back into running.”
Rose Amankwaah was once called ‘the fastest woman in Africa’ and has been reflecting on her days representing Ghana on the track after almost 50 years of public service.
The 72-year-old is the longest-serving nurse at London’s Central Middlesex Hospital but will retire from her role as theater matron at the end of the month.
She has received recognition for her service, but was breaking records before her nursing career began in 1975.
“I was the second fastest woman in Africa. I won silver in the 100m at the All Africa Games in Nigeria [in 1973],” Amankwaah told BBC Sport Africa.
“I also won gold in Mexico at the Afro-Latin American Games that year and a bronze at the Commonwealth Games [relay] medal in New Zealand in 1974;
“And that will be there forever. Google, wherever you go, my name will be there.
“Being an athlete was great. I really enjoyed it. I still watch track and field, the Diamond League, the World Championships, the Olympics. I even record it so I can watch it after work.”
Rose Asiedua, as she was known before her marriage in 1979, was born in Kumasi, Ghana, the youngest of nine children.
While her parents worked in their shops in the town’s market, as a youngster she found she had a talent for athletics, rising through the ranks at school – first in the long jump and high jump, then in the sprints.
After inter-school competitions, her talent was noticed by Ghana Athletics.
“We had a coach called Mr. Lawson and he told me I was wasting my time in the long jump and high jump and that he wanted to coach me in the sprints,” she recalled.
“Then I went on to represent the Ashanti region and came first. That’s how it all started.”
From running to nursing
After traveling the world representing Ghana on the world stage in athletics, Amankwaah followed one of her brothers to England in 1974 and was inspired to take up nursing by a neighbour.
But her love of the sport remained and as she began her studies she started mixing with some of the biggest names in sprinting in the world.
“When I came to London I used to train at what is now Linford Christie Stadium,” he said.
“It was the Thames Valley Stadium and I used to train a bit with Linford Christie.”
Such was Amankwaah’s passion for running that her teachers and employers at the National Health System (NHS) sympathetically turned her on to continue her training.
She had her heart set on competing in the 1976 Olympics in Canada, but that dream was dashed for reasons beyond her control.
“I had permission from nursing school to represent Ghana in the 1976 Games in Montreal, but then the African nations boycotted it,” she explained.
“I was so frustrated. I was training in the evenings while working during the day. And suddenly we couldn’t go.”
100m silver from the 1973 All African Games in Nigeria stands out among Amankwaah’s medals
Sprinting her way to nursing success
As her athletics career came to an end, Amankwaah’s medical career began to blossom.
After graduating as a nurse, she rose through the NHS ranks to become a theater matron in west London.
Her exemplary duty at Central Middlesex Hospital led to her winning the Silver Medal Award, a prestigious honor for outstanding service.
But thousands of patients will have passed through Matron Amankwaah’s wards unaware that they were being treated by a former international sprinter.
To her colleagues at the hospital, her athletic background was also a surprise.
“I only found out recently – he had kept it quiet all these years!” said Linda Lonergan, a ward sister who has worked alongside Amankwaah for 29 years.
“I was very shocked but also very proud of her. She has done many things in her life.
“She’s a good friend and so is my boss – she’s great. She is very competent and always very kind to the patients.
“He’s always smiling, which puts them at ease.”
Senior ward sister Jayanthy John credits Amankwaah for always encouraging staff to pursue opportunities for growth.
“She’s fantastic to work under, she always has a positive attitude,” said John.
“She always passes on her experience to other colleagues, she never keeps things to herself. Whoever has it from below will go up and up and learn.
“She is like a mom to everyone. We are truly privileged to work under her.”
After more than 49 years of service to the hospital, the former athlete will leave a great legacy as she enters a new phase of her life.
“Oh, we’re going to miss him so much,” says Lonergan.
“She’s from the original staff and it just won’t be the same without her.”
Sporty mom and grandma
Amankwaah has four children and 10 grandchildren – with a fair share of athletic prowess sprinkled throughout her family.
Her son Kevin recently retired as a professional footballer in the English lower leagues and is now a personal trainer.
Three of her grandchildren also excel in sport, with one granddaughter a member of the Great Britain gymnastics team, another a member of the GB dance team and a grandson on the books of Tottenham Hotspur’s academy.
As Amankwaah opens her treasure trove of photos and medals, her daughter Lorraine watches proudly and reflects on her mother’s sporting past.
“It feels amazing when I look at my mum’s collection and all her stories and pictures that she used to show me since I was younger,” he told BBC Sport Africa.
“Sports played a big, big role in this family. When I was younger and my older brother Kevin started playing football, we always watched it.
“I’m very proud of my mom.”
A retirement with sport
Amankwaah says the one thing that connects her two careers is total dedication.
“For nursing you have to commit. You can’t get up in the morning and say you’re not going to work,” he said.
“It’s the same as being an athlete. You have to be dedicated to your training and love what you do.
“For my nursing, I love it. As much as I’m an athlete.”
After almost half a century of working in the same hospital, Amankwaah will finally hang up her gown in the coming days.
So what will she miss most?
“The staff. I’m going to miss coming to work. I love my job. I’m really going to miss it,” she said.
“I think, ‘When I retire what am I going to do?’ But I know what I will do.
“I’ll look after my grandchildren and maybe have a little holiday, rest. Not getting up at five or six in the morning!”
Amankwaah still hopes a family member will follow in her footsteps and become an athlete – with her expert advice on offer.
“One of my grandchildren is five and I can see that she likes athletics. So I hope I can train her to be an athlete one day,” she added.
And, when Amankwaah finally retires, she’s looking forward to watching all her favorite sports – as she happens.
“Plenty of time to watch sports,” he said with a huge smile.
“I’m looking forward to the Olympics in France. I’m going to relax in my chair – not to record it, but to watch it live.”