Real-life royals settle in SA town
Two Ghanaian royals have made their home in regional South Australia after being installed as traditional leaders of their people.
The longest night of the year has become a night of warmth, music and cultural connection as locals and visitors from across South Australia gathered at Mannum to celebrate the winter solstice.
The celebration took on added significance as community members welcomed a newly installed Ghanaian king and queen, Nii Asafoiayse Tawiah Omunukum IV and Naa Borley Faagbe, to their new home in the Mid Murray region.
In Australia, the pair use the names Eric Bortey “Stone” Mensah and Bezza Kerry Mensah.
Mid Murray Mayor Simone Bailey was among the local residents who attended the community celebration and welcomed the couple home from Ghana, following a traditional ceremony held earlier this year.
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For Mr Mensah, the path to the throne was both unexpected and deeply personal.
He succeeds his uncle, Asafoiayse Omunukum III, who served for 42 years as king of the Borkwei-We clan of the Ga people after assuming the role at just 26 years of age.
The title Asafoiayse Omunukum has now been handed down through four generations of the family.
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At the time, Mr Mensah was living and working in Australia and never imagined he would one day become a king of his people.
Following his father’s death, his uncle remained a source of guidance and support, helping organise the funeral and ensuring his nephew’s family was cared for during a difficult time.
After his uncle’s passing, family elders and traditional leaders began the process of selecting the next asafoiayse.
In accordance with tradition, succession can take years as families, elders and community leaders undertake the necessary ceremonies and consultations before a new leader is formally installed.
When the process was completed, Mr Mensah was chosen to continue the family lineage.
“I never thought I was going to be the next warrior king,” he said.
The Ga people and Borkwei-We clan belong to an area called Nungua, part of Greater Accra in Ghana.
His enstooling – equivalent to a coronation – took place in Nungua, where he was ordained by the chief priest and other priests in the chief priest’s palace.
Mr Mensah said his title carried responsibilities rather than privileges.
He saw his role as building bridges between Ghana and Australia and helping to create opportunities for children in Africa who might otherwise miss out on an education.
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“My role as a warrior king is to make sure we use the opportunities we have been given to help others,” he said.
“Some children don’t get the chance to go to school.
“We want to help them achieve their dreams.”
For Ms Mensah, the evening was equally meaningful.
“It is an honour to be recognised both in Ghana and Australia,” she said.
She explained that Ghanaian queen mothers today used their traditional authority to drive socio-economic development.
They actively championed women’s education and economic empowerment, establishing cooperatives for local women in areas such as farming and artisanal crafts.
They also served as a crucial bridge between tradition and government, advocating for schools and healthcare in their communities, with a strong focus on the welfare of women and children.
The couple also spoke about their young son, who currently remains in Ghana.
They hoped to bring him to Australia next year so he could share in the life they were building in their adopted community.
Held beneath the winter solstice sky, the evening celebrated themes of renewal, community and new beginnings through African drumming, music, singing, poetry and shared food.
The event was organised by local resident, school teacher and African drumming instructor Pat Kerkenaar, who brought together friends, musicians and community members from across South Australia.
“We think it’s very cool to have a king and queen in Mannum,” she said.
Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed drumming circles, music performances, poetry readings and spontaneous cultural exchanges as the sounds of African drums echoed through the Murraylands night.
More than a celebration of the winter solstice, the gathering became a celebration of belonging, friendship and the growing cultural diversity of regional South Australia.
As darkness gave way to the promise of longer days ahead, the event marked the beginning of a new chapter for Mr and Ms Mensah as they establish their lives in Mannum while maintaining strong ties to their homeland.
This story first appeared in Murray Bridge News.
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