Ga State Mourns As Gbese Mantse Nii Ayi Bonte II Reportedly Passes Away
- The popular Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayi Bonte II, known in private life as Tommy Okai, has reportedly passed away
- This news came after he recently performed his traditional role during the lifting of the ban on noise-making
- A few days before he passed away, a frail-looking Gbese Mantse was seen using a walking stick to move around
The Ga State is in a state of mourning after the news of the Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayi Bonte II, reportedly passing away, went viral.
Many Gas who saw the paramount chief at the traditional lifting of the ban on drumming and noisemaking could not believe that he had passed away a few days after that.
Source: Facebook
As the Adonten or vanguard of the Ga state, Nii Ayi Bonte II was the designated chief who played the traditional drum to commemorate the lifting of the ban on drumming and noisemaking.
The Gbese Mantse performs critical rites to usher in the Homowo festival, including music-making at the Gbese Mantse Palace to mark the beginning of preparations.
In a video on Facebook, the Gbese mantse was seen coming out of his palace to play his assigned role in the ban lifting on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
However, for the first time, the outspoken Ga chief was flanked by men who helped him move about as he held on to a walking stick.
Source: Facebook
After he was done, Nii Ayi Bonte II was carried through the crowd as he danced and acknowledged all those present.
The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II and other sub-chiefs will mourn him deeply as he is one of the long-serving traditional rulers in the Ga State.
Watch the Facebook video below:
Ghanaians mourn Gbese Mantse
YEN.com.gh collated some reactions to a post shared by Ghanaian sports journalist, Gary Al-Smith. Read them below:
Aldrich Ayitey Adjin said:
"He was the CEO when Hearts won the Confederations Cup in 2004."
Mandieya Jonathan Yin wrote:
"Is he the chief who said Nana Addo can't be president???"
Collins Junior said:
"Life is short if you want to become a leader in Africa unless you're sincere to your people and the other one."
Sammy Wilberforce wrote:
"May his gentle soul rest well. I remembered how he collaborated with Harry Zakour, TT brothers, Fawaz Zowk etc to make Glorious Accra Hearts of Oak the Continental club Masters."
George Ferguson Mensah said:
"Ohhh rest well."
Kwame Asare Boadu wrote:
"Sad. One of the greatest administrators my club, Accra Hearts of Oak, has ever had. Rest well, Nii."
Nana Barimah Okukudrufuo Aboagye II said:
"Oooh … it was just yesterday I saw him in one video carried shoulder high...Charley, this life … May his soul Rest In Peace."
Source: Facebook
Queen of the Asante Kingdom Dead at 98
YEN.com.gh also previously reported that the queen mother of the Asante kingdom, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, had passed away at the age of 98 years.
The Asantehene had formally announced her passing following an emergency Asanteman Traditional Council meeting, ahead of her one-week observance.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
