The football community and the Gbese Traditional Area are mourning the loss of Nii Ayi-Bonte II, the Gbese Mantse and former Hearts of Oak executive, who has reportedly passed on following a brief illness.
Known in private life as Thomas Okine, the respected traditional ruler died on Saturday, June 6, 2026. News of his passing has sparked tributes from both sports enthusiasts and members of the Ga community, where he served for nearly two decades as a traditional leader.
Nii Ayi-Bonte II occupied a prominent place in the history of Hearts of Oak, particularly during one of the club’s most celebrated periods. As a key figure behind the scenes, he was part of the leadership structure that oversaw the Phobians’ dominance of Ghanaian football throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, a period that also saw the club earn recognition across Africa.
His death came only days after he made a public appearance during ceremonies marking the lifting of the annual ban on drumming and noise-making ahead of the Homowo festival. During the event, he appeared visibly weak and was carried through the principal streets of Gbese by his subjects.
Installed as Gbese Mantse in 2007, Nii Ayi-Bonte II balanced his traditional responsibilities with a successful career in business. Trained as an accountant, he established Lifetime Pharmacy Limited and Savemart Company Limited, building a reputation beyond his role in traditional leadership.
His service extended into several public institutions. He sat on the Judicial Committees of both the Ga Traditional Council and the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs. He also served as a commissioner on the Greater Accra Regional Lands Commission.
Aside from football, Nii Ayi-Bonte II was actively involved in boxing. He managed former world champion Joseph Agbeko and contributed to the growth of the sport by supporting the promotion of professional boxing events in Ghana.
Throughout his life, he left his mark on traditional governance, sports administration, business and community development. His long association with Hearts of Oak and his service to the Gbese people remain defining parts of a legacy that many will remember.
