Popular pencil artist dies in India
Popular pencil artist, Emmanuel Apraku, popularly known as Ray Styles,ย has died in India.
His company confirmed his death on its Instagram page.
Apraku had undergone surgery in New Delhi and was recovering.
The pencil artist was diagnosed with a liver-related illness and had grown frail and looked very pale.
He needed ยฃ40,000ย for surgery.
After his plight was brought to social media attention last August, it triggered a frantic fund-raising effort.
A GoFundMe account was created on Wednesday, August 19 to raise $55,000 for his surgery. It raised more than $70,000.
Ghanaโs first lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, joined in the donations withย $20,000.
Ray styles left Ghana for India on September 7, he underwent surgery and was expected to return to Ghana in October.
According to a poet, Koo Kumi, the pencil artist had indicated to him that he would be “returning soon.”
But he, unfortunately, passed away on Thursday afternoon.
Several on-air personalities took to social media to announce his passing.
Some social media users have also poured out their grief.
A talented young man with bright future. Unfortunately, dead has laid his icy fingers on you. My heart goes to your immediately family & your loved ones. RIP in Peace Ray. #RIPRay
//Rest in Peace
//RIP RAY#RestinpeaceRayโ Chris (@analimbeychris) October 1, 2020
โ #letstalkaboutitwithlydia (@lydiaforson) October 1, 2020
God calls Ray Styles home.
RIP Ray Styles of ‘Pencil Celebrities’
Rest In Power ๐น pic.twitter.com/fUnSGNBJo4โ Maiestas โ๏ธ (@Ebenezer_Peegah) October 1, 2020
Rest In Peace Ray Styles ๐๐ฝGod be with you till we meet again ๐ฅ๐ฅRIP Ray pic.twitter.com/zCrjla2rxH
โ Ayishatu Zakaria Ali (@ayishatu_) October 1, 2020
A documentary of his works. RIP Ray
The background song says it all pic.twitter.com/0v2hvUVpJNโ Journalist Albert (@BongoIdeas_) October 1, 2020
The dream is to get cash, not to die early. RIP Ray.
โ iDESIGNโ (@Anony_drew) October 1, 2020
View this post on Instagram
One thing remains for sure; we all are gonna die some day.
When and How we are gonna die, we all donโt know.
But until then letโs all stay humble and most importantly be nice to everybody irrespective of who they are, where they come from or what they have or donโt haveRIP Ray
โ Jay๐๐๐ปโโ๏ธ๐ฅ (@jallah__) October 1, 2020
One thing remains for sure; we all are gonna die some day.
When and How we are gonna die, we all donโt know.
But until then letโs all stay humble and most importantly be nice to everybody irrespective of who they are, where they come from or what they have or donโt haveRIP Ray
โ Jay๐๐๐ปโโ๏ธ๐ฅ (@jallah__) October 1, 2020
Health experts have warned about the rising cases of liver and kidney diseases among Ghanaโs youth.