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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
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Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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