The Gbese Mantse and Adonten of the Ga State, His Royal Majesty Dr Nii Ayi Bonte II, has died.
The respected traditional ruler, known in private life as Thomas Okai, is reported to have passed away after a period of ill health. The cause of death has not yet been officially disclosed.
News of his death has been met with grief across Ga Mashie, where he served as one of the most influential traditional leaders in the Ga State. Tributes have also poured in from members of the Accra Hearts of Oak fraternity, where he played a significant role during some of the club’s most successful years.
Born to the late Emmanuel Ayitey Okai of Gbese and Charlotte Kwaamah Ankrah of Otublohum Dadebanaa in Accra, Nii Ayi Bonte II was an accountant and entrepreneur before ascending the Gbese Stool.
He established Lifetime Pharmacy Limited and Savemart Company Limited in 1995 and became widely known for creating employment opportunities for many young Ghanaians in both the public and private sectors.
On 27 April 2007, he was nominated, selected and installed as Nii Ayi Bonte II, Gbese Mantse and Adonten of the Ga State. During his reign, he served as a member of the Ga Traditional Council and the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs.
He was credited with championing peace, reconciliation and development within Gbese and Ga Mashie. His administration introduced several governance and development initiatives, including scholarship programmes aimed at supporting vulnerable children from Gbese families.
One of his most notable legacy projects was the redevelopment of the historic Gbese Mantse Palace. Under his leadership, the old palace structure was demolished to pave the way for the construction of a modern palace complex intended to serve both administrative and cultural purposes.
Nii Ayi Bonte II also held several public and traditional leadership positions, including serving on the judicial committees of the Ga Traditional Council and the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs. He was also a commissioner of the Greater Accra Regional Lands Commission.
His contributions extended beyond traditional leadership into sports administration. A lifelong supporter of Accra Hearts of Oak, he served as a management and board member of the club and was part of the leadership team during the club’s historic CAF Champions League triumph in 2000 and CAF Super Cup victory in 2001.
He also played a key role in Hearts of Oak’s success in the CAF Confederation Cup and received several awards in recognition of his contributions to football administration in Ghana.
Beyond football, he supported boxing and was instrumental in the rise of former world champion Joseph Agbeko, helping to guide the boxer’s journey from national champion to international success.
Throughout his life, Nii Ayi Bonte II received several honours, including an honorary doctorate in leadership and humanity in 2018 and a number of awards recognising his service to traditional leadership, community development and sports.
His death marks the end of a significant chapter in the history of the Gbese State, where he will be remembered for his leadership, community development efforts and contributions to Ghanaian sports.
