Daasebre Nana Osei Bonsu II was born Saint Oswald Gyimah‑Kessie on 31st December 1939. He became Mampongmanhene and Krontihene, was a revered traditional leader whose six‑decade journey blended modern scholarship, public service, and unwavering commitment to the Ashanti Kingdom.
Educated at Prempeh College and the University of Ghana (BA in Economics, Political Science & Modern History in 1972), he later served as Registrar at KNUST, rising from assistant registrar in 1972 to registrar in 1991, a role he held until 2000 .
In August 1996, he was enstooled as Mamponghene, succeeding his uncle Nana Atakora Amaniampong II, and became the occupant of the revered Silver Stool of Asante‑Mampong.
Celebrated for bringing peace and reconciliation after long-standing chieftaincy litigation, he presided over his traditional area for nearly 29 years, during which he championed education, clean water systems, solid waste management (introducing the first aqua-privy), and aggressive measures against illegal mining (galamsey).
A stalwart in regional governance, he served as Vice‑President of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs, chaired various national chieftaincy committees, and was Editor‑in‑Chief of the National House of Chiefs.
His leadership at Mampong and in Asanteman was further commemorated in 2023 when chiefs and queenmothers unveiled a statue in his honor, celebrating his 26‑year reign of stability and development.
At KNUST’s 2013 Founders’ Day, he was awarded an honorary doctorate, recognizing his dual contributions as a university administrator and as a custodian of Ashanti tradition.
He is survived by his wife, Janet Dorothy Gyimah‑Kessie—daughter of a senior police commissioner—and their daughter, Dr. Naana Mary Gyimah‑Kessie, a medical officer at SSNIT Trust Hospital, Accra.
His reign was distinguished by a unique absence of chieftaincy disputes—an achievement unmatched since 1930—and was praised by President Akufo‑Addo in 2022 for his role in promoting peace and development in his region.
In April 2025, after a brief illness, Daasebre Nana Osei Bonsu II passed away at age 86 in Mampong. His death marks the end of a legacy defined by wisdom, integrity, and devoted service to both the Asante people and Ghana at large.
✨Highlights of His Legacy
Home & Origins: Born into the Bretuo dynasty in Mampong; son of Mary Gyimah, a pioneer female educator.
Education & Career: Alumnus of Prempeh College and University of Ghana; long-serving registrar at KNUST.
Rise to Leadership: Enstooled Mamponghene in 1996, ushering in nearly three decades of peaceful and progressive leadership.
Family & Community: Married to Janet Dorothy; a devoted family man; father of one daughter.
Chieftaincy & Influence: Elevated through regional and national House of Chiefs; honored with statues and honorary degrees.
Developmental Initiatives: Pioneered infrastructure, education, and environmental programs; led anti‑galamsey efforts.
Honors & Recognition: Statue unveiled in 2023; honorary doctorate in 2013; presidential commendation in 2022.
Death: Passed in April 2025, leaving a legacy of peace, development, and cultural stewardship.
Daasebre Nana Osei Bonsu II will be remembered not just as a traditional ruler, but as a visionary who seamlessly wove modern administration with deep-rooted cultural values—fortifying the Ashanti Kingdom and uplifting countless lives under his thoughtful reign.
