Togbui IV

Life History of Togbui Nyaho Tamakloe IV

Togbui Nyaho Tamakloe IV known in private life as Lucas Mensah Tamakloe, was born on Monday 7th January 1918 in Kpalime, Togo. He was the third born of the late Theophilus Wilson Amegbor Tamakloe, one of the children of Togbui Nyaho Tamakloe I and the late Madam Kate Gbloenyame Fumey Tamakloe of Asadame. Both parents were of the Adzovia Hlo (Adzovia Clan). As a dealer in natural rubber, Togbui's father made fortune as a produce buyer. He was very influential and earned the title of "NOTABLE"(DIGNITARY) which was conferred on him by the Colonial Government. Togbui's mother was a trader.

Togbui's early life was spent in Kpalime where he started schooling. Anxious that their son should have an English education, the parents sent him to Accra and he was one of the first pupils to be enrolled at Achimota Primary School in 1928. It was here that he had his primary education, which he successfully completed in 1930.

In 1931, his cousin, Victor Gbedemah who took very much to him sent him to Keta for his Middle School Education. It would appear however that his parents were missing him very much and therefore arranged for his return to Kpalime. After a brief stay in Kpalime Lucas proceeded to Achimota in 1934 and passed out in 1939. Some of his contemporaries were Dr. Kwasi Quartey, Kwesi Cato, Dr. Emmanuel Evans Anfom, Nii Kojo Ababio V, Fred Jiagge and Annie Baeta (later Mrs. Jiagge of blessed memory). A niece ofLucas, Mrs. Frieda Degbor (nee Tamaklo), recalling her school days at Achimota, always spoke warmly about how well he looked after her. While at Achimota, Lucas distinguished himself as a keen sportsman and was a member of the school hockey team. He was also a staunch member of the Boys Scout Association. Although age has relegated some of them to the back burner, Lucas was very proud of his Alma Mater and did not mind travelling several kilometres to pay tribute to a departed colleague.

On the completion of his secondary education, Lucas taught at Zion College at Anloga from 1940 to 1942. He worked for the next two years as a clerk at the Oil Storage Company at Takoradi. Not satisfied with the level of his education, Lucas enrolled at the University College of the Gold Coast in 1944 where he studied for the Intermediate Bachelor of Commerce Degree, which he passed in 1946.

Between 1946 and 1948, Lucas was employed as a Trainee Accountant at the Audit Department in Accra. Fired with the zeal to become a professional accountant, 30 year old Lucas left for the United Kingdom for practical accounting courses at The Crown Agents, the Lewisham Borough Council and the City of London College leading to the Bachelor of Commerce Degree.

Lucas returned to the Gold Coast in 1951 and for the next 21 years, he was appointed to various accounting. posts in the Government Accounting Service. In 1951, he was an accountant at the Treasury in Sekondi. Two years later, in 1953, he found himself in Accra as a Senior Accountant at the Central Treasury. Five years later, he took up the position of Assistant Chief Accountant of the Ministry of Agriculture in Accra. After this position, he left for a six months course in Data Processing and Tabulators in London in 1960.

The year 1961 saw Lucas as the Financial Controller of the Ghana Armed Forces. He held this post for three years and was later appointed Chief Accountant at the Ministry of Health. He went back to the Ministry of Agriculture in 1968 as Assistant Chief Accountant a post he held until he retired voluntarily in 1972 as Chief Treasury Officer. Prior to his retirement, he attended the Greenhill Management Course to upgrade his managerial skills.

During his retirement, in order to put his accounting experience to good use, Lucas worked in various places. He worked at Central Services Company, a building and construction company as an accountant. He also served as a member ofthe Commission of Enquiry into the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission after the 1966 Coup d'Etat and also as a member of the Censor Board of the Ghana Film Industry.

On the demise of Togbui Nyaho Tamakloe III in 1976, it fell to the lot of Lucas to become Regent, the position he held until his installation in 1981 as Dufia of Whuti and Miafiaga of Anlo with the stool name as Togbui Nyaho Tamakloe IV. Before he became Regent, Lucas has carved a niche for himself in the family as someone who cared and showed concern for both the young and old. He was always available when needed and discharged promptlywhatevet assignment was given him. He was very popular and acquired an impressive repertoire of action plans to suit every occasion. Lucas was very efficient and indeed had the knack for doing things with the least effort. In fact, he showed outstanding leadership qualities which marked him down as someone who could be given a leadership role in the family. It did not appear that he knew that one day he would have honour and responsibility thrust upon him.

On the 7Th January 2001, Togbui Nyaho Tamakloe IV celebrated his 83rd birthday. He was in a reasonable good state of health but it was becoming clear that the burden of office was having its toll on his general well being. This notwithstanding, no one suspeeted that his end was near and those close to him were therefore surprised when he passed away quietly to eternity on 24th January 2001 after a short illness. He has reigned for over twenty years marked by intense activity especially in his last days. By sheer coincidence, he died at the same ripe age of 83 years, as did his father.

As Dufia ofWhuti, Togbui Nyaho Tamakloe IV who was always with his people was anxious to see the growth and development of the town. To this end, he instituted the celebration of a Special feast, the "Tortro yeye Za" on the Sunday immediately following every Hogbetsotso Za to enable the people deliberate on and plan development projects. This festival was so successful that it has come to stay and is held every year even when the Hogbetsotso Festival does not take place. Togbui's interest went beyond mere parochialism. He held the Keta Sea Defence Project close to his heart and was glad it got started during his lifetime. He also got other chiefs interested in the project and often organised inspection tours for them to the site. The completion of this project will be a fitting tribute to the memory of Togbui Nyaho Tamakloe IV.

On the level of the Anlo Traditional Council, Togbui was very much respected- by his peers. He was very influential and played many important roles in the Council. On the death ofTogbui AdeladzaII, it was not surprising that he became the obvious choice to act as Awoamefia and President of the Anlo Traditional Council. It will be recalled that he was the leader of the Anlo Traditional Council delegation to the funeral of the late Otumfuo Opoku Ware 11 in Kumasi in 1999, a mission he discharged with dignity.

Togbui was a man of many parts. His policy was "Festina Lente"(Make haste slowly). Even in his last days, he could still drive around to see friends, relations, his children and grandchildren. He believed that all journeys must necessarily come to an end and that the time it takes each person to travel the distance depends on the individual's disposition. Togbui was very scrupulous and whatever he did, he was never in a hurry and took his time to do it well to his satisfaction. Among his pastimes, there was one that would surprise many people. He excelled in the culinary art, which could have easily earned him the recognition as a "CORDON BLEU". He also enjoyed fishing but took delight in building and taking care of aquariums to the appreciation of his children, grand children, the entire family and friends. He could easily have made a leaving out of it.

Togbui was a good man imbued with a remarkable spirit of altruism.

He in fact exemplified the Christian virtue of being his brother's keeper right to the end of his life. As a distinguished traditional ruler, he did not consider his status as an obstacle to rendering service in many ways to the church where he worshipped. Before his installation as a Chief, Togbui placed his services at the disposal of the E.P. Bethel Church of Accra Newtown. He played the role of Treasurer and exhibited a high sense of accountability and transparency worthy of emulation by those who succeeded him.

In the delicate institution of chieftaincy, not everyone, for one reason or the other, sees eye to eye will the incumbent ofthe stool. This was no exception in the case of Togbui Nyaho Tamakloe IV. But he was never easily ruffled and displayed a great deal of tact and magnanimity in handling his people. He was a person who believed in arriving at a consensus decision on major issues and by his cool and measured temperament, he was able to rise above dissension and unhealthy partisanship, which if allowed could militate against the progress and wellbeing of the people. Although affable and easy to approach, Togbui was a man of principle who did not allow himself to be pushed around. For this some consider1d him as rather stubborn but he possessed certain sterling qualities which not only enhanced his stature, but endeared him to his people. He was a person who, once he gave his word never turned back on it. It is a credit to Togbui that during his reign the image of his people and the enhanced family has soared and was projected well beyond the Anlo Traditional Area. It was during this period that the Tamakloe-Fiawoo and related families Association, begun in Whuti, saw expansion to many parts of the country and in Togo. He will be sorely missed not only by his immediate family, the several people to whom he had done good but by all who believe in the resurgence and progress of the Anlo land.

Togbui left behind his wife, Mrs. Mary Tamakloe, his children, Fui, Gilbert, Frank, Leslie, Esinam, Sena, Sefa, Doe, Ameyo, Tamara, Thelma, Eddie, Emefa, Selasie, Edem and 25 grand children.

Togbui, dzudzo le nutifafa me.

Mawu na da wo de fafa de le.

Hede Nyuie.