FEW miles from Damongo, in Ghana’s Savannah Region, is Nyange, a place which is divided by a busy major road from Tamale to Sawla, which looks abandoned because of the ruins of the buildings, but holds a history vast enough to have once anchored an entire kingdom.

Long before Damongo became the administrative heartbeat of Gonjaland, Nyange served as the spiritual and political centre of the Gonja Kingdom, the original seat of the Yagbonwura, home to ancestral palaces, ritual grounds, and the rituals that shaped kings.

For decades, Nyange drifted into silence, but after Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, the King and Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, announced intentions to reconstruct elements of the old capital, I felt compelled to visit to see for myself what remained of this sacred landscape, and to understand why its revival matters now.

Walking through Nyange, I met a woman who we spent some time narrating briefly the unspoken chapters of Nyange history. The land according to her, still holds the outlines of what once defined a kingdom—the Gonja, the stone foundations of ancient palaces, sacred groves where rituals once echoed, and open courtyards where chiefs, land priests, and kingmakers shaped the affairs of the state—and the empty bricks and white dotted paint that host every late and Yagbonwura.

Nyange was the original home of the Ndewura Jakpa Palace, a towering symbol of power that stood until 1944, when Yagbonwura Awusi Ewuntomah of Daboya transferred the royal seat to Damongo. The administrative centre moved but Nyange’s spiritual authority never left.

Where Every King Begins and Ends His Journey

My visit revealed why no Gonja story is complete without Nyange. Its significance is anchored in traditions still observed today.

When a Yagbonwura passes, the first funerary rituals begin in Nyange before the body travels to the Royal Mausoleum in Mankuma. The journey follows an ancient path that deliberately avoids Sawla—a tradition safeguarded for generations.

Rites That Begin a Reign

In 2023, whiles covering the enskinment of the Yagbonwura, he first arrives in Nyange to begin his sacred initiation, where every Yagbonwura has to start the initiation.

These rites, performed only here, link the new king to the ancestry of Ndewura Jakpa. For centuries, Nyange was the permanent residence of successive Yagbonwuras, where its soil is layered with leadership, legacy, and the quiet footsteps of royalty.

A Heritage Landscape Waiting to Be Reimagined

As we moved through the community, it became clear that Nyange holds immense potential for cultural tourism, research, and documentation.

Still visible across the landscape are the ruins of palaces occupied by ancient Yagbonwuras, the tomb of Wasipewura Chinchanko of Daboya, remains of the stone palace of Yagbonwura Mahama Dagbonga of Bole, enskinment sites, sacred burial grounds, the Nyange Forest Reserve—long known for trees used in crafting royal coffins—and the homes of key custodians, including Nyangewura and Land Priest Vogu Jamani.

Nyange’s proximity to Mole National Park makes it ideal for an eco-cultural tourism circuit, weaving together wildlife, architecture, oral history, drumming, dance, and the lived memory of the Gonja people.

Local leaders are already discussing the creation of heritage trails, interpretive centres, and storytelling experiences led by community custodians.

Just beyond Nyange lies Larabanga, home to one of West Africa’s oldest Sudano-Sahelian mosques. Together, these two communities could anchor a cultural corridor capable of drawing visitors from across the world.

Larabanga offers architectural and religious significance, whiles Nyange offers political and spiritual heritage. Together, they tell a complete story of identity, power, belief, and continuity.

As I spoke with some people in Nyange, I could feel both urgency and hope, when they outlined a clear vision for the future by the efforts of the Yagbonwura to restore palace ruins, document sacred sites, establish cultural education and preservation programme, and develop sustainable tourism models that benefit residents.

But more than infrastructure, they spoke of identity—emphasising that, “our history is here.”

Leaving Nyange, I carried with me the feeling of a place on the brink of transformation, the past lingers in its broken walls and ancient pathways, but the future feels within reach—guided by royal leadership, community pride, and the quiet determination to revive a forgotten capital.

Nyange is not simply being restored, rather it is being reclaimed. And as the reconstruction efforts begin, the world may soon witness the rebirth of a capital that once shaped a kingdom and is ready to do so again.

From Geoffrey Buta, Nyange.

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Every morning begins the same way for Edwina Anokye-Bempah, with quiet devotion. It is her grounding ritual, a moment of reflection and gratitude before she steps into the dynamic, often unpredictable world of real estate brokerage.

By the time she arrives at the office, she has already set the tone for her day. She reviews the previous day’s tasks, checks what was accomplished and what still needs attention, and then drafts a new to-do list. For her, success is rooted in deliberate planning, discipline, and the commitment to follow through.

Today, Edwina stands out as one of Ghana’s promising real estate brokers, but she is also clear about the distinctions within her field. While many people casually use the term ‘realtor,’ she is quick to explain that only professionals registered with the National Association of Realtors can claim that title.

“Since I am not registered with the association, I am a real estate broker,” she says. It is a role she embraces wholeheartedly, facilitating transactions, connecting buyers and sellers, and ensuring clarity and integrity at every step.

Her journey into the industry took shape at MeQasa, an online platform dedicated solely to real estate. The platform exposed her to developers, agents, and the complexities of property transactions. She worked closely with developers and observed one recurring problem: clients often complained about agents who failed to respond, follow up, or provide accurate information.

With her background in sales and marketing, Edwina felt naturally drawn to the field. It was an industry where she believed she could make a meaningful, positive impact. Real estate, she came to learn, is far more than brick and mortar. It is about helping people secure one of the most important investments of their lives. This understanding shapes every decision she makes.

One of the most challenging tasks in her work is qualifying clients.

“A serious buyer must be willing, ready and able,” she explains. When one of these three qualities is missing, the transaction is likely to stall or collapse entirely.

On the seller’s side, due diligence is equally critical. Ownership disputes, land fraud, and unclear documentation remain some of the biggest risks in Ghana’s real estate sector.

Edwina understands the weight of the responsibility she carries. “The money involved is huge. These are people’s lifetime savings. Most people buy one home or maybe two in their entire lives. You cannot afford to make a mistake.”

Working in what many describe as a male-dominated field has never intimidated her. With an MBA in Marketing and extensive experience in sales roles including a stint as an Account Manager in an advertising agency, she has grown comfortable handling clients, negotiating deals, and presenting herself with confidence.

“My gender has never discouraged me,” she says. “What matters is hard work and ensuring that the client’s needs were met.”

The only occasional challenge, she admits, was maintaining professional boundaries when some men attempt to be overly familiar. Her solution is simple: stay professional and do not over-familiarise yourself with clients.

Her educational journey started in Kumasi, followed by Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ Senior High School, where she studied Agricultural Science. She continued the same at the University of Ghana before pursuing her master’s degree. After university, she worked on her uncle’s poultry farm before moving into advertising. Later, her role at MeQasa finally opened the door to the career she had long been unknowingly preparing for.

Over the years, Edwina has built a reputation not only for competence but also for care. She recalls one client in particular, an older man relocating to Ghana with no family in the country. After helping him secure two homes, she became the closest person he could rely on. One evening at around 8 p.m., he called to say he felt unwell. Without hesitation, she drove to his home and rushed him to the hospital. Doctors later told her that any delay could have been fatal.

For Edwina, that moment affirmed that the job goes far beyond selling property. “It doesn’t end with the sale,” she says. “You have to look out for people.”

Her influence also extends to younger people observing her journey. She is known for her tenacity, her refusal to give up on clients or tasks, and her resilience in the face of challenges. Those who work around her learn to push forward regardless of setbacks.

“If a deal doesn’t go as expected, you don’t look back. You find a way.”

Beyond real estate, Edwina serves as an interpreter in her church, a role that dramatically boosted her confidence. What began with trembling legs has evolved into a boldness that reflects in her public speaking and client interactions. She credits her growth to God, her senior pastor, her mother, siblings, friends, and her dedicated team — “an amazing circle,” she calls them.

Today, she is also a partner in a showroom business dealing in vanity units, sanitary wares, and tiles, an extension of her real estate insight and experience.

For young people aspiring to join the industry, her advice is clear: “Learn the industry beyond selling. Understand transactions, build strong relationships, and always do your due diligence.”

For Edwina Anokye-Bempah, real estate is more than business; it is trust, service, and impact, one client at a time.

By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu

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