c
 


c
 
   


 
p
 p

 


A WRITER once said that ͞all life begins with a birth and ends in a death͟. Between birth and death,
life may be infinitely varied, but beginning and end are the same.). He was born to the Royal House
of Ashi We, Lenshi, on 24th August, 1915, and was the second child of a family of ten. His parents
were Nii Mensah Okanya, alias Nii Mensah Stewart and Madam Amarh Tsuru Ashitsoo, both of
Lenshie, Teshie.

He was educated at the Teshie Presbyterian Primary and Middle Boarding

Schools from 1927-1935. At school, he was always studious and displayed immense leadership
qualities. No doubt these qualities influenced his nomination and ascension to the Stool many years
later.

The late Nii Ashikwei Akonfra II was baptized into the Presbyterian Church at Teshie in 1931 by the
late Rt. Rev. S. S. Odonkor, and confirmed as a full member of the Church in 1935by the late Rev. W.
Tetteh. He remained a staunch and active member of the church until his death.

After leaving school in 1935, he entered into private business as a Petty Trader at Teshie and
Asamankese. He later abandoned this work in 1937 and was employed in the Civil Service as a Clerk
in the Posts and Telecommunications Department (now Ghana Postal Services). By dint of hard
work, he rose to the enviable position of a postmaster. He worked with this Department for 25 years
with unblemished record.

He served in the following stations: Kumasi, 1937-1939; Ejisu, 1939-1940; Sunyani 1949-1945;
Tamale, 1945-1948 and Konongo, 1949. He was transferred to the Accra Municipality from 1950-
1954 and worked at James Town, Labadi, Osu and Tema. From 1954-1958, he was posted to Ada and
finally to Akropong, Akwapim from 1959-1962 where he ended his career in the Civil Service on
voluntary retirement.

The late Nii Ashikwei Akomfra III was elected and enstooled Teshie Mantse on 11th January, 1962
and reigned for 23 years. He was reputed as the longest reigned Chief ever to ascend the Teshie
Stool in general and Ashi We in particular. He will particularly be remembered for his forthrightness
and frankness in matters concerning the Teshie Traditional Area.

Indeed, a great Chief has been lost to the Teshie Traditional Council in particular and the Greater
Accra Regional House of Chiefs in general. Being one of the most experienced and knowledgeable
Chiefs, he played no mean role in the establishment of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs. It
was very unfortunate that he did not live long to share his rich experience with the members of this
august body. For the icy hands of death snatched him away on the verge of the first anniversary of
the House. He died peacefully on a4th December, 1985 at the ripe age of 71 years. His colleagues
will ever remember him.

He left behind 2 loving wives, Mesdames Janet Okailey Armah and Elizabeth Botor Lamptey, 9
Children and 19 Grand-children to mourn him.

Nii Ashikwei Akomfra III, sincerely, we all deeply mourn your loss. But we do not grudge you to
external rest which the Lord and Master has reserved for all His faithful servants. So sleep on now
and take your rest.

FARE THEE WELL