U.S. boxer Yahu Blackwell to be installed as chief in Ghana

U.S.-based Ghanaian boxer Yahu Blackwell will next month be crowned as Osu Noryaa Mantse, the “development chief at large”, in Osu in Ghana’s capital Accra. Blackwell, also known as Yah’Kwame Kariuki Nii Ayi Kushi Amaa Blackwell, will be crowned by His Royal Majesty (HRM) Notse Nii Nortey Owuo IV of the Osu State and will work directly with the paramount stool to oversee projects that the people of Osu will benefit from.

Ahead of the coronation, Daily Guide Network reported that the boxer and entrepreneur has acquired land in the Aburi mountains to build a royal compound that will come with living and dining areas, six bedrooms with washrooms, a family area, a modern kitchen, a gym, office, movie theatre and game room. The compound will also have a visitors’ lounge, prayer sanctuary, laundry and general storage facilities, pool area with bar and kitchen, barber and salon room, basketball court, and bowling alley.

There will also be a security post, a 1-bedroom out-house and parking for 4-6 cars, the report by Daily Guide Network said. Currently, there are also discussions about having a STEM and drone Aviation program and a science lab.

Blackwell grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., but he is of the Ga-Dangbe bloodline and a descendant of Ayi Kushi. Ayi Kushi was a king of the Ga-Dangbe, the first known Gã Mantse of recorded history, Daily Guide Network reported.

The Ga are one-half of a twin coastal ethnic group in Ghana. The other half is the Adangbe, with whom the Ga share linguistic similarities and origin narratives. Together, the Ga-Adangbe comprise about half of the population in Ghana’s capital city, Accra.

The Ga people are actually very famous in the West African sub-region for their customs and celebrations including the Homowo Festival, a harvest festival which means “to hoot at hunger”.