Fiator Mordeku III of Awudome Tsito — The bridge builder in chieftaincy and architecture

Fiator Mordeku III of Tsito, known in private life as Kafui Kwame Amegbe, is a unique blend of tradition, service, and modern profes­sionalism.

As a chief, an architect, and a community development advocate, he wears his many hats with humility, driven by a powerful dual motivation: a deep desire to serve and preserve his family’s legacy, and to play an active role in creating positive change in society.

From a young age, Kafui’s life has been guided by strong values rooted in communal living.

Growing up in a close-knit family and community, he experienced first­hand the power of shared responsibil­ity-where neighbours became second parents, and village elders doubled as life coaches.

Speaking to The Spectator in Accra on Saturday, Fiator Mordeku Ill said one childhood memory that continues to inspire him is when Togbe Gobo Dake XII, Chief of Tsito, bought him a slate for his first day in school.
Today, he serves as Fiator (father to Togbe Gobo Dake XII) to his childhood benefactor-a powerful circle of legacy and service.

“I was enstooled in my late 30s, so this journey is still quite fresh-just under two years in,” he said, by many standards that is considered quite young, especially given the weight and complexity of traditional leadership.

But I have always believed that leadership is not about how old you are; it is about preparation, mentor­ship, vision and most importantly, a desire to serve.

According to him, becoming a chief at a young age came with immense responsibility, saying “chieftaincy can be complex and sometimes misunder­stood, but my family played a key role in preparing me.”

On the day of his enstoolment, he stood composed, not because it was easy, but because he was aware of the expectations ahead.

The reality, however, only sank in later-when the calls, community is­sues, and needs began pouring in. For him, leadership is not about titles but about providing proactive and adap­tive leadership that reflects the needs of today’s fast-changing society.

Fiator’s reliability with the youth is a defining feature of his reign. “I am not far from the Gen Zs,” he says.

This closeness, according to him, enables him to connect with young people on a peer level, encouraging them to engage in community initia­tives and understand the importance of preserving tradition. It is this con­nection that empowers him to blend traditional authority with modern innovation.

Outside of chieftaincy, Kafui is a passionate architect and advocate of sustainable design.

His love for designing spaces began as early as Junior Secondary School, and today, he continues to inspire with thoughtful architecture that focuses on sustainability, community needs, and the intelligent use of local materials.

To him, architecture is about how people interact with spaces, and one of his proudest contributions is his role in the design of the new Region­al House of Chiefs projects across Ghana’s six new regions-a national undertaking that incorporated diverse stakeholder inputs.

His work as an architect and a chief converges in one of his most symbolic projects-a small concrete bridge he built behind his house.

It replaced a dangerous makeshift path used by locals, especially the elderly, to cross a storm drain.

“Now people walk across with­out fear. That one act of building a bridge, literally and symbolically, pushed me to think more deeply about the many quiet struggles people go through,” he said.

This bridge became the foundation for his greater calling – providing not just charity, but dignity and equity.

Through the Footprints of Glory Foundation, which he founded in 2020 and officially registered in 2021, Kafui has launched impactful initiatives across Tsito and the wider Awudome area.

From funding school fees and ap­prenticeships to constructing small community bridges and launching an online radio station (soon to become a full community station), the founda­tion has been a lifeline for many.

It is supported by respected individ­uals like Dr Yao-Foli Sekyema and Mr Michael Brefo. The foundation’s suc­cess lies in collaboration and shared purpose.

A touching example of his impact is the story of a young boy from a neighbouring village who, due to financial hardship, was working on farms despite being a top student. Fiator took him in, supported his edu­cation, and

today, the boy is university-bound-a story that encapsulates the spirit of his work.

“I don’t dwell much on legacy,” Fia

tor said. “My focus is on providing real, practical solutions that ease burdens and improve lives.”

Whether it’s mentoring architec­ture students, building community projects, or planning future academ­ic pursuits.

Currently, he is studying for an MSc in Facilities Management with the aim of uplifting others through ser­vice, innovation, and collaboration.

He called on the youth to embrace discipline, humility and a deep will­ingness to keep learning, urging the youth not to be afraid of hard work or setbacks and that they were part of the journey.

“Find people who inspire you, ask questions, stay curious, and never forget your roots. Where you come from is your foundation, and it will keep you grounded no matter how far you go and we don’t have to wait until we are older to start serving.

He is married with three children and enjoys working out, playing lawn tennis, travelling, listening to music which he says helps him reflect, plan and recharge.

By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu