AUTO-BIOGRAPHY

Short Bio of His Royal Majesty Togbega Kwaku Ayim IV

(Paramount Chief of Ziavi Traditional Area & First President of the Ziavi Traditional Council)

Customary Burial Rites: February 20 – 28, 2026

Introduction

His Royal Majesty Togbega Kwaku Ayim IV (1945–2024) was a visionary Paramount Chief of the Ziavi Traditional Area, an accomplished educationist, and a respected national leader in traditional governance. Enstooled on 8th June 1986, he dedicated 38 years of service to his people, becoming the longest-reigning Paramount Chief of post-independence Ziavi. His reign is remembered as a period of social transformation, educational advancement, cultural renaissance, and peacebuilding—not only for Ziavi but also for the Volta Region and Ghana as a whole.

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Contributions to Chieftaincy and Traditional Leadership

Togbega Kwaku Ayim IV was a custodian of Ewe culture and traditions, yet progressive in outlook. His leadership in chieftaincy included:

• Serving as the Founding President of the Ziavi Traditional Council (2018–2024), which institutionalised governance structures and enhanced unity among chiefs and queen mothers.

• Serving as a member of the Asogli Traditional Council (1987–2018), where he played vital roles in the Standing, Judicial, and Research Committees and represented the Council President on many occasions.

• Becoming the first Paramount Chief of Ziavi to attain permanent membership of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs (2015–2024).

• Chairing the Education Committee of the House, and serving on its Judicial and Research Committees, where his knowledge of customary law and arbitration strengthened the institution.

• Leading numerous arbitration panels, including the Kpando Chieftaincy Dispute Resolution Committee (2021), which restored harmony to the area.

His reputation as a fair, wise, and peace-driven leader made him a sought-after voice in traditional affairs, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding across Ghana. He often chaired major local and national events in the Volta Region.

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Contributions to Education

A professional educationist and specialist in inclusive education, Togbega dedicated over 40 years of active service to the Ghana Education Service and beyond. His contributions include:

• Pioneering inclusive secondary education for visually impaired students as the first Resource Teacher at Okuapeman Secondary School (1984–1988).

• Serving as Head of Rehabilitation at the School for the Blind, Akropong, where he developed braille textbooks and resources for visually impaired students.

• Establishing Ziavi Senior High/Technical School (ZISTECH) in 2014, which was absorbed into the Ghana Education Service in 2021.

• Advocating tirelessly for children with disabilities, initiating community-based programmes to identify and enrol them in schools.

• Serving as Chairman of the Boards of ZISTECH and the School of Hygiene, Ho, among other institutions, where he influenced policy and institutional growth.

Through these efforts, Togbega left a lasting mark on special education, vocational training, and youth development in Ghana.

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Contributions to Religion and Religious Institutions

A devout Christian, Togbega Kwaku Ayim IV was a lifelong member of the Evangelical Presbyterian (E.P.) Church, Ghana, where he served locally and nationally, receiving many awards and citations.

• Active Church Leadership: Worshipped with congregations in Ziavi, Ho, Klefe, and Akropong, and was instrumental in establishing the Akropong E.P. Church in the late 1990s.

• Support to Religious Growth: Under his reign, Ziavi became a vibrant centre of Christian life. He supported the Roman Catholic Church, facilitating the first-ever sacrament in Ziavi in 1990, and promoted interdenominational harmony.

• Church Centenary: Played a pivotal role in the 100th Anniversary celebrations of the E.P. Church in Ziavi Dzogbe (1998), which gained national recognition.

• Strengthening Institutions: Consistently mobilised resources for church infrastructure, religious events, and spiritual growth. His leadership gave moral and visible support to all denominations in Ziavi.

• National Roles: Served on the Shepherds Centre for the Aged of the E.P. Church, and regularly attended national synods, rallies, and commissioning services.

Through these contributions, he strengthened the foundations of faith in Ziavi, promoted interdenominational unity, and ensured that religion contributed meaningfully to community development.

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Governance, Peace, and Development

Under his reign, Ziavi witnessed remarkable progress in governance and development:

• Infrastructure: Mobilised resources to provide electricity, potable water, and improved roads for Ziavi.

• Healthcare: Spearheaded the establishment of the Ziavi Health Centre, now under the Ghana Health Service.

• Dututudoza Festival: Founded this annual festival as a platform for cultural expression, communal fundraising, and development planning.

• Local Governance: Introduced quarterly meetings of the Ziavi Traditional Council and revived ZICODA (Ziavi Community Development Association) for sustainable progress.

• Cultural Renaissance: Revitalised the Avazorli Union, uniting Ewe communities around shared heritage and development.

• Municipal Leadership: Served as a member of the Ho Municipal Assembly (2008–2012), where he influenced education and community development policies.

At the national level, Togbega represented Ghana on international cultural and development missions, including a delegation to Ningxia Province, China, fostering inter-regional cooperation.

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Legacy and National Impact

His Royal Majesty Togbega Kwaku Ayim IV will be remembered as:

• A champion of education, especially for the disadvantaged.

• A pillar of peace and conflict resolution.

• A cultural reformer who balanced tradition with progress.

• A statesman in traditional governance who advanced chieftaincy in national development.

• A wise and authoritative leader — the one who speaks, and there is silence.

Through his vision and service, Togbega uplifted Ziavi and left a lasting impact on the Volta Region and Ghana. His life is a testimony to leadership rooted in wisdom, humility, and dedication to the common good.

He was great in service and will forever be remembered as a leader among leaders.

May His Soul Rest in Eternal Peace.

BOOK OF CONDOLENCE