Santrokofi Balabito Clan Honors 15 Years of Nana Obibiribi Kumi III's Reign: A Tradition of Leadership

The historic town of Santrokofi-Bume came alive in a colorful celebration over the weekend, marking 15 years of devoted leadership by Nana Obibiribi Kumi III, Krontihene of the Santrokofi Traditional Area.

 

The anniversary, held from Friday, April 18, to Sunday, April 20, 2025, was a three-day cultural and communal event that united traditional authorities, dignitaries, and citizens from across the region and beyond. The festivities culminated in a grand durbar on Saturday, April 19, celebrating a chief whose leadership has been defined by unity, vision, and development.

 

Celebrating a Leader with Purpose

Nana Obibiribi Kumi III, who ascended the stool on March 27, 2010, has spent the last 15 years fostering peace, community development, and cultural preservation in Santrokofi. Under his stewardship, the town has seen notable growth, including the construction of a Nurses’ Quarters, a two-phase Teachers’ Quarters project, and infrastructural improvements backed by the Santrokofi-Bume Development Association (SABUDA) and other community stakeholders.

He has also been instrumental in ensuring the successful installation and swearing-in of other traditional leaders across the area, including Nana Odabra Brekuate III, Nana Otuabrunkro I, and Nana Otitiaku IV, thereby strengthening traditional governance and unity within Santrokofi’s three key towns: Bume, Benua, and Gbodome.

The grand durbar on Saturday was more than a ceremonial gathering; it was a heartfelt expression of gratitude from the people to their chief. Clad in traditional regalia, with musketry firing and vibrant cultural performances, the event was a breathtaking showcase of heritage, identity, and communal pride.

 

The celebration was especially meaningful for the Balabito Clan, to which Nana Obibiribi Kumi III belongs. Led by Mr. Jeremiah Atti-Kumi, the clan played a central role in organizing the event and used the platform to reaffirm its commitment to cultural advancement and youth empowerment.

In his welcome address, the chairman of the clan, Mr. Jeremiah Atti-Kumi, highlighted the positive correlation between good leadership and unity, listing its impact on social cohesion, economic development, civic engagement, and education. He also praised Nana’s conflict resolution efforts and his consistent presence at community programs aimed at uplifting Santrokofi and its people.

Mr. Jeremiah Atti-Kumi, Chairman of the clan

Mr. Atti-Kumi highlighted the Krontihene’s achievements, including support for educational and health infrastructure and fostering peace among the towns of Bume, Gbodome, and Benua. He praised the establishment of the Nurses’ and Teachers’ Quarters, the installation of other chiefs under his guidance, and his active role in resolving disputes and supporting youth development.

 

The Educational Endowment Fund: A Step Toward the Future

One of the major highlights of the celebration was the official launch of the Santrokofi Educational Endowment Fund. The initiative is designed to provide scholarships and academic support for students from the community, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds.

For Nana Obibiribi Kumi III, this fund is a personal mission. During his address, he spoke candidly about the struggles many youths face in accessing education and called on all stakeholders to support the vision of empowering the next generation through learning.

 　 “Leadership is not just about holding a title; it’s about serving your people and preparing a brighter path for those who will come after you,” he told the crowd.

 

Tracing the Steps of a Giant: Abotsi Obibiribi Kumi's Legacy

Nana Kumi’s legacy is rooted in a rich and resilient family history. He descends directly from Amankrado Abotsi Obibiribi Kumi, a revered figure born in the 1870s in the mountainous village of Olɛkpo. Captured as a teenager by Ashanti warriors during a raid into then-German Togoland, the young Abotsi survived years of slavery in Mampong and escaped with the help of his master’s wife.

What he brought back with him was more than survival; it was transformation. Alongside his name and identity, he returned to Santrokofi with cocoa seeds, making him the first person to introduce cocoa farming to the area. His efforts sparked a wave of agricultural prosperity that extended into the Buem regions and made Santrokofi a key player in the cocoa economy of the time, earning him the moniker “Tetteh Quarshie of Togoland.” His contributions laid the foundation for economic prosperity and Christian missionary activity in the area.

But his contributions did not stop there. He offered land to Bremen missionaries, leading to the founding of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and Schools in the early 1900s. His legacy of faith, education, and entrepreneurship left a lasting mark that his grandson, Nana Obibiribi Kumi III, proudly upholds today.

Addressing the gathering at the Santrokofi-Bume Clinic Park, Nana Obibiribi Kumi III welcomed guests with humility and gratitude. He thanked God for the gift of life and used the occasion to honor his predecessors, elders, and the youth for their support.

 “Without followers, there can be no leader. Indeed, without you, there is no chief,” he remarked, drawing applause from the crowd.

 Nana called for renewed unity, acknowledging that while there may have been challenges in the past, reconciliation and collaboration are the only way forward.

　 “Let us forgive each other and continue in peace. Together, we stand; divided, we fall. We are one Balabito, one Bume, one Santrokofi, one Guan District, one Oti Region, and one Ghana.”

 

Nana Obibiribi Kumi III, Krontihene STA

Since taking the great oath of Balɛɛ on March 27, 2010, Nana Obibiribi Kumi III has led Santrokofi with compassion and purpose.

Speaking on the Educational Endowment Fund, “This project is close to my heart; let us all contribute generously to make it a reality. Education is the bedrock of our future.” Nana added.

 

In a bold appeal, he also called on government and stakeholders to support the establishment of a nursing training college in Santrokofi, emphasizing the importance of access to higher education within the district: “We are ready to provide land for this project. It will not only bring employment but also improve healthcare in our region.”

 

In his closing  speech, Nana issued a heartfelt call:

 “Gone are the days of war. Today, our battle is against poverty. Let us fight it together by uplifting our youth, investing in education, and preserving the peace we enjoy.”

He urged the youth to stay away from acts that disturb community harmony, asking all to use respectful language and guard the unity the community has worked so hard to build.

 “Let us build a Santrokofi that is not only proud of its past but prepared for its future.”

The durbar grounds were a rich blend of tradition and celebration. Colorful kente, the firing of muskets, rhythmic drumming, and joyful dancing filled the air. Chiefs, queen mothers, and guests from home and abroad came to honor a man whose leadership has kept the Santrokofi Traditional Area strong and peaceful.

Notable figures such as Nana Letsabi II, Paramount Chief of the Santrokofi traditional area; Hon. John Kwadjo Gyapong, Oti Regional Minister; Hon. Fred Agbenyo, MP for the Guan constituency; and Hon. Sophia A. M. Adigli, the district director of education, joined the celebration alongside citizens and proud members of the Balabito Clan, Nana’s ancestral lineage.

A Call for Unity and Legacy 

This 15th anniversary was not just a celebration of a reign; it was a renewal of purpose, a reaffirmation of culture, and a reminder that leadership grounded in service, unity, and history can move mountains. 

As the final rounds of musket fire echoed through the hills and the colorful procession of drummers and dancers wound down, one thing was clear: the legacy of the Kumi dynasty continues to shine as a guiding light for the people of Santrokofi and beyond.

Nana Obibiribi Kumi III has not only carried the torch passed down from a legendary ancestor, he has kept it burning brightly for the next generation to follow.

Some Members of the Planning Committee