Ghanaian Community In United States Mourns A Leader.

Togbui Agbodegbe I (a.k.a Togbe Kofi Tsai I), the Gyasehene of Liatitraditional Area in the Volta Region, a staunch supporter and ambassador of Ghanaian culture, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2003 in Queens, New York.

He was a founding member, and a two time President of the National Council of Ghanaian Associations. He is known to champion causes that enhance and promote development of his native land. As President of the Ewe Habobo, he was very instrumental in bringing the various Ewe organizations under one umbrella, thus leading to the merger in 1996 of the Ewe Habobo and Ewe Unity Club to form the current United Volta Association (UVA).

Known affectionately as Togbui Kofi Tsai, he became the first President/Chief of the United Volta Association (UVA) and again worked hard to see to the creation of the Council of Ewe Associations in North America (CEANA) an umbrella group of Ewe associations in the various cities in the Americas. He was also a great patron of most of the Ladies' clubs in the Tri-State area.

Togbui worked with the Ghana Permanent Mission to the United Nations until a year year ago when he retired and went home to Ghana to contribute to the development of his traditional area. He succumbed in Queens NY, after returning to New York over two months ago for medical treatment for a cancerous tumor. He is survived by his wife, 11 children, five grandchildren and two great-grand children.

Funeral will be held on Friday, February 13, 2004. Venue: Police Athletic League, 441 Manhattan Ave., (Corner of 119 St. on Manhattan Ave.), NY