King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, born Kelvin Nii Tackie Abia, is the Gã Mantse of the Ga State, having been enstooled on May 9, 2020.

Before ascending to this traditional position, he was known as Dr Kelvin Nii Tackie Abia and spent nearly 30 years living in Kumasi, where his father, Dr Ebenezer Nii Armah Tackie, served as a senior lecturer and architect at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

Early Life and Education

King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II was born in Accra to Dr Ebenezer Nii Armah Tackie. He completed his secondary education at Ghana Secondary School in Koforidua.

His higher educational background includes:

• PhD: He holds a Doctorate from the University of California.

• MBA: He earned a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management and Consulting from the KNUST School of Business.

• Bachelor’s Degree: He completed his undergraduate studies at KNUST, earning a Bachelor of Arts.

• Specialised Certificates: His technical training includes an International Business Certificate on culture from KNUST, a certificate in Marketing, and a unique certificate in Cleaning Science obtained in Johannesburg, South Africa.

• Secondary Education: He is an alumnus of Ghana Secondary School (GOSA) in Koforidua.

Before his enstoolment, he applied his academic background as a lecturer in entrepreneurship at both KNUST and Kumasi Technical University.

Gã Mantse (2020–Present)

On May 9, 2020, Kelvin Nii Tackie Abia was enstooled as the Gã Mantse of the Ga-Mashie people. He concurrently holds the position of President of the Ga Traditional Council.

In October 2025, he pledged to support the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) as they celebrate their golden jubilee.

Professional Career

Before his enstoolment, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II (Dr Kelvin Nii Tackie Abia) built a diverse professional career spanning broadcasting, entrepreneurship, and academia, primarily in Kumasi.

His professional milestones include:

1. Broadcasting and Media

• Researcher and Assistant Director: He started his career at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) as an assistant director, focusing on audience research.

• Media Production: He founded Keeda Production Limited and was involved in producing music videos for several prominent Ghanaian gospel musicians in the late 80s and early 90s. He also served as a resource person and advisor to the Liberal Studies department at Kumasi Technical University while lecturing at KNUST.

2. Entrepreneurship

• Cleaning and Maintenance: He is the Group Chairman of Ke-clean Enterprise Limited, a cleaning and maintenance services company he founded in 2000, which operates in various regions in Ghana, including Ashanti, Ahafo, and Greater Accra.

• Mining: He established Aenon Artisanal Mining Limited, a small-scale mining company operating in Bibiani in the Western North Region.

• Consultancy: He worked as a coordinator for Tokiwa Consult, acting as a local partner for international firms involved in the redevelopment of the Kumasi Central Market.

3. Academia

• Lecturer: He shared his expertise in entrepreneurship as a lecturer at both KNUST and Kumasi Technical University (formerly Kumasi Polytechnic).

• Advisor: He also served as an advisor to the Liberal Studies Department at Kumasi Technical University.

Role as a Vice-Presidential Running Mate in 2012

Before his enstoolment as the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II made a significant return to national politics during the 2012 general elections:

1. The Ticket: He served as the vice-presidential running mate to Jacob Osei Yeboah (JOY), the only independent presidential candidate in the 2012 Ghana elections.

2. Political Platform: Their campaign focused on offering a non-partisan alternative to the dominant political parties (NPP and NDC), advocating for an inclusive governance system that would harness the skills of all citizens, regardless of political affiliation.

3. Significance: His selection was seen as a strategic move to bring intellectual depth and a strong connection to the Ga State to the independent ticket.

4. Outcome: Although the JOY ticket did not win the election, his involvement marked him as a public figure committed to national development and governance long before assuming his traditional role.

It is important to note that upon his enstoolment as Ga Mantse, traditional customs and the Constitution of Ghana require him to remain strictly non-partisan, effectively ending his active involvement in party-style politics.

Controversies

In June 2025, the Court of Appeal in Kumasi ruled to recognize King Tackie Adama Latse II as the legitimized Ga Mantse.

However, a counter-ruling by the Supreme Court of Ghana, presided over by Justice Pwamang, unanimously overturned the judgment of the Kumasi High Court, reinstating King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II as the legitimate Gã Mantse.

Current Initiatives as Ga Mantse

King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II has launched several transformative initiatives aimed at modernizing the Ga State, primarily through the Ga Mantse Foundation.

This foundation focuses on three key areas: education, health, and economic empowerment.

Below are his most significant recent projects and initiatives:

1. Education and Youth Empowerment

• Compulsory Ga Language Teaching: The King has mandated that all public and private schools within the Ga community must make the teaching of the Ga language compulsory to prevent its extinction.

• Scholarship Programs: Approximately 1,000 schoolchildren have received scholarships to improve their access to quality education.

• School Infrastructure: In partnership with organizations such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the foundation has renovated schools, including the Mantse Tackie Tawiah I Cluster of Schools, equipping them with ICT labs, libraries, and astroturf fields.

• Child Fishing By-laws: Plans have been announced to criminalize child fishing at the expense of schooling, ensuring that children remain in the classroom.

• Kinka Blonya: This annual New Year's children’s celebration promotes child welfare and cultural pride within the community.

2. Health and Sanitation

• Free Primary Healthcare: The King is a staunch supporter of the government's flagship Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) initiative, launched in April 2026, which aims to remove financial barriers to health services.

• Korle Bu Pharmacy Annex: He is actively fundraising for the construction of a 24-hour pharmacy annex at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to enhance healthcare access.

• Homowo Clean-Up Exercise: As a leader in health and sanitation, he spearheads major sanitation drives, such as the Homowo Clean-Up Exercise, advocating for sustained efforts throughout the year.

3. Economic and International Diplomacy

• Ga International Free Trade Zone: This pioneering "Investment Initiative" is designed to create a world-class urban center that features an enterprise hub for AI and robotics, sustainable housing, and an "energy waste" system.

• Cultural Diplomacy: In March 2026, the King participated in the Commonwealth Day celebrations in London, meeting with King Charles III to showcase Ga traditional leadership on the global stage.

Recent International Diplomatic Missions

King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II has intensified his involvement in cultural diplomacy, strengthening ties with both the Ghanaian diaspora and international leaders.

His notable recent diplomatic missions include:

• United Kingdom (March 2026): The King traveled to London for the 2026 Commonwealth Day celebrations, where he engaged in high-profile discussions with King Charles III at Chatham House, focusing on the intersection of contemporary governance and traditional leadership. He was accompanied by Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

• Germany (May–June 2025): He led a royal delegation to Hamburg for the GaDangme Diaspora Congress, organized by GaDangme Europa. This mission aimed to unite the GaDangme community in the diaspora and encourage their contributions to the development of the Ga State.

• Diplomatic Advocacy in Accra (September 2025): Serving as the chair for the Orientation of New Envoys at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the King urged new ambassadors to push for reciprocal visa regimes across Africa and leverage cultural diplomacy to enhance international trade and tourism.

• United States (Earlier Missions): Previously, he visited the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah, to explore humanitarian collaborations and learn about their welfare programs. He has also hosted significant international figures, including the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (July 2025), for discussions on urban development and strategic partnerships.

Tenure in Office as the Ga Mantse

As of April 2026, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II has been in office for nearly six years since his official enstoolment and induction as Ga Mantse and President of the Ga Traditional Council on May 9, 2020.

His reign and public recognition, however, follow a series of significant milestones:

1. Initial Enstoolment (2015): He was customarily enstooled by kingmakers on August 2, 2015, under his birth name, Dr Kelvin Nii Tackie Abia.

2. Official Induction (2020): Following years of legal and traditional disputes, he was formally outdoored and sworn in as the substantive Ga Mantse in May 2020.

3. Supreme Court Affirmation (2025): His legitimacy was solidified on July 23, 2025, when the Supreme Court of Ghana affirmed him as the lawful Ga Mantse, resolving long-standing challenges from rival claimants.

Private Life

King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II is married and has several children.

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