News
Asafoatse Christopher Tetteh Nettey II: Bridging heritage, progress in Gbese
In the heart of Sonmenaa, Gbese (Gamashi), a new chapter of traditional leadership is unfolding under Asafoatse Christopher Tetteh Nettey II, a man whose life story seamlessly blends the dignity of Ga-Dangme heritage with the dynamism of modern progress.
More than a custodian of culture, he represents a generation of traditional leaders redefining service through vision, innovation, and community commitment.
Early Life and Heritage
Born into the proud lineage of Sonmenaa Gbese, Asafoatse Christopher Tetteh Nettey II known in private life as Emmanuel Nii Tetteh Nettey, grew up deeply conscious of the weight of history on his shoulders.
The Nettey family has for generations played pivotal roles in Gbese traditional affairs, particularly through the Asafoatse stool, a sacred inheritance passed down within the Swalaba branch since 1866.
This rich cultural backdrop shaped his childhood, instilling in him a profound sense of identity, discipline, and duty to community.
Even as a child, he was drawn to Ga-Dangme traditions, participating in cultural rites and learning from elders who impressed upon him the importance of heritage as both a source of pride and a compass for life. His early years nurtured the resilience and visionary drive that would later define his leadership journey.
Education and Professional Path
Determined to carve his own path, Asafoatse Nettey II pursued formal education with passion where he obtained a professional certificate in Cyber Security from Regent University College of Science and Technology and is currently advancing his studies in Digital Governance.
His academic pursuits reflect a leader who understands that safeguarding heritage requires also embracing modern knowledge and technology.
Professionally, he is a self-made industrialist with six years’ experience in the metallic and cable manufacturing industry.
According to him, this background exposed him to the challenges of entrepreneurship in Ghana, sharpening his problem-solving skills, creativity, and resilience. For him, industry was more than business, it was a school of leadership that taught him accountability, innovation, and the value of hard work.
Call to Leadership
On September 3, 2022, he was first enstooled as Abelenkpe Shippi under the authority of Gbese Mantse, Nii (Dr) Ayi-Bonte II. Yet his destiny stretched beyond that role. Following in the footsteps of his legendary predecessor, Asafoatse Christopher Brandford Nettey (Captain C.B. Nettey), he answered a spiritual and ancestral call to ascend to the revered Asafoatse Nukpa position of Gbese Sonmenaa.
His ascension was not without controversy. For over a decade after the demise of Asafoatse Christopher Akai Nettey, contention brewed between the Nii Doku We and Swalaba factions over succession.
Court cases, injunctions, and disputes left the stool vacant and the community divided yet history and custom were on his side.
Research by renowned historians John Kwadwo Osei-Tutu and John Parker confirmed that the Asafoatse title was a matrilineal inheritance reserved strictly for the descendants of Asafoatse C.B. Nettey of the Swalaba branch.
This unbroken lineage legitimised his ascension and reinforced the integrity of Ga customary law.
Leadership Vision
Today, Asafoatse Nettey II embodies a leadership style that balances tradition with modernity. His vision for Gbese Sonmenaa is anchored on three interconnected pillars:
Heritage Preservation: Safeguarding Ga-Dangme history, language, and customs through cultural education, festivals, and archival projects.
Youth Empowerment: Equipping young people with entrepreneurial and digital skills, while instilling pride in their identity and community.
Community Development: Promoting vocational training, supporting local businesses, and championing partnerships to improve livelihoods and infrastructure.
For him, tradition is not static; it must evolve to inspire development. As I often say, “Our history is our foundation, but our development is our destiny.
We must walk together – elders and youth, tradition and innovation, to secure the future we dream of.”
A Leader of the People
Beyond ceremonial duties, Asafoatse Nettey II says he is a hands-on leader who engages directly with residents, listens to concerns, and works with stakeholders to solve problems. Known for his boundless energy and creative thinking, he is respected not only as a traditional leader but as a visionary partner in progress.
He tells The Spectator that he is a devoted father of five, and brings the same values of discipline, humility, and service into his family life, instilling in his children the principles that guide his leadership.
Looking Ahead
In Gbese today, there is renewed optimism. The community sees in Asafoatse Nettey II a leader who is both grounded in heritage and equipped for the challenges of the future. His stewardship symbolises continuity and change which represents the weaving of ancestral wisdom into the fabric of a modern, forward-looking society.
Asafoatse Christopher Tetteh Nettey II says Gbese Sonmenaa stands poised not just to preserve its traditions, but to transform them into living tools of empowerment and development.
“In my hands, the legacy of the Nettey family is not merely remembered; it is alive, growing, and leading Gbese into a brighter tomorrow,” he concluded.
By Cliff Ekuful
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
News
President Mahama to hold first media encounter of his second term
President John Dramani Mahama will host a Presidential Media Encounter on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
The event is scheduled to place at The Presidency at 8:00pm.
The encounter will provide a unique platform for President Mahama to engage the Ghanaian people through the media, on pressing national issues, his Resetting Ghana Agenda, policies and ongoing projects
It will also offer an opportunity for journalists to pose questions directly to the President on a wide
range of subjects affecting the nation.
Participation will be strictly by accreditation
The Presidency looks forward to a productive and engaging session with the media
News
Star Oil serves final demand notice to Goshers
Lawyers of Star Oil have issued final demand notice to social media user Benjamin Kojo Mensah, popularly known as Goshers, demanding GHS 20 million in damages for defamation.
The company said in a statement that a demand notice was served on Mr. Mensah on Friday morning, but it expired at the close of day on Saturday without compliance.
As a result, Star Oil instructed its lawyers, Lex Vanem & Associates, to proceed to issue a final demand noticd for retraction and rendering of unqualified apology.
The added that, the company will proceed to court should Goshers fail to comply with the directive.
According to the lawyers, Mr. Mensah posted on Facebook on September 3, 2025, alleging that he had been cheated after buying fuel at Star Oil’s Anyinase station near Elubo.
He wrote, “I feel cheated by Star Oil this morning,” and attached a crying emoji and a video.
The company described the post as defamatory, unfounded, and malicious.
It said the post had gained wide attention, with more than 2,000 likes, over 264 comments, at least 30 shares, and more than 58,000 views by the following morning.
The same content was also uploaded on YouTube.
Star Oil noted that its team reached out to Mr. Mensah to understand his concerns but insisted that the claims damaged its reputation.
The company stressed that it had built its brand over the past 27 years to become the largest distributor of petroleum products in Ghana and would not allow social media to be used to tarnish its image.
The company also urged customers who feel cheated or encounter poor service to use Star Oil’s official hotlines or the National Petroleum Authority’s Consumer Protection Service to lodge complaints, saying these were the proper channels for redress.
By: Jacob Aggrey
