Tackie Tawiah III

King Tackie Tawiah III was born to Madam Mary Lartey of the Asere Dzorshie Royal and Joseph Blankson Lartey a chief Spokesperson of the the Ga State and a grandson of King Tackie Tawiah I. He is the leader of the Greater Accra Region in Ghana.

Childhood

As a child in school, Nii, as he was known then, spent many hours playing football but his aspiration of becoming a great player was not supported by his ability. He became a good server in the Anglican Church and enjoyed performing his duties as an altar boy. His love for singing got him into the church choir and he also joined some of the local bands in Accra.

Through the influence of his firm father, Nii spent many learning days of his youth at Nai We, Sakumo We, Jaflotu We and the Royal Stool House of Abola: (the palaces of the Ga Mantse, Gbese Mantse, Abola Mantse and Lakaiman Mantse). These locations would soon become familiar territory to the young man. By such attachments, his understudying of the cultural normative of the Ga’s and their traditions also become very much enhanced. However, Lartey was happiest as a boy scout. In that movement, he attained all the required qualifications and rose to the level of a Queen’s Scout. This attachment enabled him to lead the boy’s section of the Ghana Contingent to the Golden Jubilee Jamboree of the Boy’s Scout Movement in Warwickshire, England in 1957.

Upon his return to Ghana, he successfully secured employment with the Ghana Cocoa Marketing Board as a messenger and rose to the position of weighing supervisor before returning to England at the beginning of 1960.

Early career

While in England, Nii adopted an initial interest in optics, but due to his employment at the Ghana High Commission in London, his interest shifted to politics and law. This path of study was probably influenced by his father who had then been imprisoned for a second time under the Preventive Detention Act. The two and a half years spent at the Ghana High Commission (particularly working with Sir Edward Asafo-Adjei and the Hon. Kwesi Armarh, the High Commissioners at the time) were very rewarding and educational.

In late 1962, Nii was transferred to New York City, USA, to work with the Ghana Permanent Mission to the United Nations. During his sixteen year career at the UN, he worked in a variety of areas in the support service of the Mission. One particular area was as an Executive Officer involved in administration, finance and research. He experienced career growth while pursuing and completing a University studies simultaneously. Upon completing his graduate studies with distinction, Nii secured six years of experience as an adjunct lecturer in Political Science and Constitutional Law at Queens College of the City University of new York and at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice also located in New York City. Working with so many highly regarded ambassadors and accomplished Ghanaian and international diplomats further enriched Nii’s interest in politics, international relations, economics and law.

Return to Ghana

Upon returning to Ghana after numerous years abroad, Nii became assigned to the Ghana Reinsurance Organisation as a member of their Executive Management where he served for ten years. During this time, he was elected Secretary General of the West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA) for six terms. He was also a member Planning Committee that created the West African Institute and of its Governing Council for seven year. Further, he lectured in Reinsurance and Management at the Institute.

Always driven by keen interest in politics, Nii became briefly involved in the activities of the Professionals Association and joined United National Convention (UNC) at its inception. He was elected Deputy Secretary under the leadership of notable personalities such as Paa Willie, the Hon. Harry Sawyer and Dr. Obed Asamoah.

Nii was commissioned to establish and manage the Contact office of the Ghana Reinsurance Organisation in London in 1981, and was positioned there for six years. During this period, he served as the President of the London Contact Offices Association. After being redeployed by the Ghana government, Nii gained employment with Alexander Howden Insurance Brokers as an insurance Technician and later with Harris and Dixon Insurance Broker Limited. He worked them until his retirement although he remains a consultant to them to date.

Nii is currently a member of the National Development Planning and Law Reform Commission. He also serves as Board Director of Donewell Insurance Company.

Additionally, Nii has a profound interest Freemasonry and is an active member of some of the fraternity’s different organisations. Also notable is his keen fondness of horse racing which led to his membership of the Board of Stewards of the Accra Turf Club for many years.

Nii has been married to Rev. Mrs. Faustina Armuzua Blankson for forty years and they have three children: Julian, Lillian and Joel in addition to two grandchildren: Christian and Jolynn.

Dr. Jo Blankson was officially installed King Tackie Tawiah III Paramount Chief of the Ga State on the 11the June 2006

Official positions

• King of the Ga State(Greater Accra Region)• Overlord of the Ga Stools, Shrines, Lands and other investments• President of the Ga Traditional Council• President, Regional House of Chiefs of Ghana• President, King Tackie Tawiah III Foundation

Patronages

• Member, Ghana Law Review Commission• Head, National Lands Commission, GHANA• Member, National Development Planning Commission, GHANA

External links

[http://www.kingtackietawiahiii.com/kttIII/] official website