By Mabel Annang
The people of La are mourning. The funeral rites of the Paramount Chief of the area Nii Dr. Kpobi Tettey Tsuru who died three years ago is finally underway. The late chief was a family-oriented person, who followed his family tree with pride from Kowe (kwei) through Klanaa to Abese. Nii was enstooled as chief of La on 8th April 1988 at age 56. He was then an Accountant with the Audit Service.
At the time of his enstoolment, the stakes were high due to a number of clan misunderstandings regarding who was the rightful person to be La Mantse. Nii La had earlier in his Public Service life read a non-professional course in law, which became handy in his Traditional Administration. He was very particular about his orations and writings. He had an old oxford dictionary at his office and from its look, it was well consulted. He lived a very simple and perhaps too simple a life for a Traditional ruler and a Paramount Chief.
He would go to public places alone without an escort which was frowned upon. Due to his orientation, it was difficult for him to communicate or share ideas on most topical issues, however, he understood and thrived on the power of debate and compromise. One of his many challenges with the stool elders was when he challenged the installation of Nii Dzasetse Odotei Adjei because he believed in this euphemism that “sɛɛkwɛlɔ jee mɔni yeɔ” meaning “He who acts does not become a chief.”Though he gave him a seat on the Traditional Council, he refused to recognize him as a member from 2013 up to 2017 and only came around after much persuasion.
A similar episode awaited the Dzase when again on 12th July, 2013, the Kowe Quarter/Division installed Nii Akutsotse N.S. Manle Dada, with Nii La himself as the President of the La Traditional Council doing the coronation. However, when it came to accepting and presenting the chosen Akutsotse to the Council, he argued that he would only be accepted as the Special Advisor Plenipotentiary. All these and a few others made the Dzase very disillusioned. He was Deputy and subsequently President of the then Ga Regional House of Chiefs.
During his tenure, he formed a strong committee in consultation with the Dzase to lobby government for the elevation of La State to a Paramount status in 2013, and also a Municipal Status. It was also during his tenure that the sod was cut to construct of the new ultra-modern La market. There were several developmental projects in La during his reign. Notable among them was the ruling of the boundaries of La stool lands during a tussle with the military and Goil Ghana Limited. Nii was a humble man and this was evident when during a meeting he declined to take his rightful position but chose to sit among the invited guests. No amount of cajoling could make him change his position. During his reign many attempts were made to dethrone him but all to no avail.
At a point, a shrine was put up at the Kpeshie lagoon estuary, and he together with some youth of La destroyed the shrine and threw it into the sea publicly. Nii was a devout Christian whom many described as a joy to live with. Nii Dr. Kpobi Tettey-Tsuru, was a family man extraordinaire. He enjoyed spending time with his family and was a beacon of light for the Kpobi and allied families, availing his home, energy and resources to nurture the entire family, from his siblings to nieces and nephews, children, grandchildren, and citizens of La. By the end of 2017 Nii started complaining of ill-health. However, after the celebration of the 2018 Homowo and the 30th Anniversary celebration of his enrollment, his health deteriorated and was admitted to the 37 Military Hospital where he died on February 4, 2019.
He is survived by a wife, a son, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A mighty oak tree has indeed fallen, a vacuum has been created in the hearts of the La people. We celebrate his wife and thank God for committing him to the upliftment of not only La but the entire country. His works shall indeed follow him. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Nii kpoo, Nii kpoo, Nii kpoo. “Yaawo jogbann ye Nuntso le mli”.