User:Santrokofi History

File by Mr ADU K, PROSPER

Santrokofi Traditional Area is made up of three townships, namely Benua Bume Gbodome. Presently it is situated only a few kilometres from Hohoe, on the north-south eastern trunk road from Accra to Kadjebi and beyond, the people of Santrokofi are of guan extraction with there own language and culture. The people are known as “Balεε” while the language and the traditional area are known as “Selεε”. The name Santrokofi is a corruption of “Saatelo Kofi” which means our master Kofi. Saatelo kofi was practising the early technology of his people which they used to make simple farming and hunting implements. Traders from other tribes who used to buy his wares ended up naming the whole traditional area after him as Santrokofi. The people of Santrokofi have as neighbours, namely, the Akpafu, Likpe, Nkonya, Bowri and Buem. All this tribes occupy a perimeter of about twenty kilometres with a unique Babel of tongues and yet, to an appreciable extent, live in relatively peace and friendship. The advent of the Christian religion and its civilizing influence of “each his brothers keeper “as well as formal education by the use of both principal local and foreign languages had facilitated this commendable socio-economic interaction over the years. Indeed, there must be few places in the world where a few miles introduce one to a new language. We must pause here and pay tribute to an illustrious son of Santrokofi, Teacher Seth K. Akorlor of bless memory who was most instrumental in producing a write-up on the history of the advent of Christian religion in Santrokofi to mark the 75th anniversary celebration of the church  in 1978.download Sεlεε Gospel here! An eminent Russian writer once said “in Africa when an old man dies the’ it means whole library is burnt”. Thanks to the record put together by Mr. Akorlor, we have found it possible and easier to produce this script. Thus, although he has move on to eternity, the library is still there! There was a school of thought, particularly held by oral historians and Elders from Santrokofi Gbodome that the people of Santrokofi had there origin from a town called “Kombi Sεlεε” which was in ancient Ghana. Curiously a historical research feature published in the West African magazine in the early 1960s seemed to confirm that claim! We do hope that sooner than later, a son or daughter of Santrokofi will pick up the pieces from where the elders left their trail and establish the fact. The sojourn in the wilderness must have followed that which all the genuine tribes with root from ancient Ghana followed to the present state of Ghana. Some historian ancestors also claim that they up at king Agorkoli’s Notsie but left earlier before the major tribes deserted that kingdom. They settled briefly on the Akporso Mountains situated in Togo and moved to share habitation with the people of Likpe where they developed close linguistic and cultural ties including puberty rites. For reasons yet to be established, they move on from their Likpe brothers to “Okorkpoo” which is on the mountain range west of present Santrokofi Township where they fought and drove the Krobos away. Curiously, they left that locality and move eastwards to settle on the mountain peak they called “Olεεkpoo “. It is from there that they made their final movement to the valley which is the present habitation of the three communities. German maps show that Santrokofi lands originally stretched to Alavanyo in the south, Akpafu to the north, Nkonya to the west and Lolobi to the east. Their numbers were however reduced drastically as a result of attacks by invading Asante’s forces that carried away both men and women. Some of them however returned later from captivity to re-establish links with their families. The day of the Asante attack remains the subject of the Great Oath of the people of Santrokofi-Balεε Ninkεεh The first Missionaries to bring the world to the people at Oleehkpoo were from Basel Missionaries led by a Rev. Clerk used to travel on horse back to preach to the people at Olεεkpoo. It was during that time that a German Missionary or government official was said to have arrived at Olεεkpoo and hoisted a German flag probably to indicate an intention to establish an institution there. A man by name, Asasaku who oral historians claimed used to feign madness was said to have removed the flag and used it as a cover cloth. On the next visit of the Germans, when they found that the flag had been removed, they left the Traditional area.

 THE LETTER THAT BROUGHT A CHANGE 

During the reign of Wawa Dagadu as Paramount Chief of Santrokofi, he receive a letter from then German colonial District Commissioner. Nobody in his kingdom was however literate to read the letter and translate it’s content to him. He had to send the letter to a scholar at Gbi-bla, Mr. Walter Blafo who agreed to read the latter on condition that 100 young men from Olεεkpoo would work on his farm for a day. This was done and the letter read to the chief .to his surprise the content were to just give him prior information of  the impending visit of the District Commissioner to the township on a scheduled date! The paramount chief was most unhappy about the price his people had to pay for illiteracy. He quickly summoned his elders, advisors and sub-chiefs to a meeting to deliberate on “how his people can also talk with their hands”      (I.e. to read and write) Fortunately for the people, education had become a major priority for the Missionaries. The Basel Mission had opened schools at Worawora and Akpafu while the Bremen Mission had theirs in nearby Hohoe. There was rapid advancement in the opening of schools those towns and the surrounding communities also benefited greatly as they also sent their children to school. Although, no school was opened in Santrokofi then, the bitter experience of a hundred people working for Walter Blafo just to show gratitude for reading one letter kindled a burning desire among the people for education. Accordingly the parents of the following decided to send their children to school. From Santrokofi Gbodome, Okumpa and Dawuro alias Okponkpo were despatched to school at Worawora. Yosef Okropani also from Gbodome and Godwin Yao Agbodza from Benua were sent Akpafu Todzi. Those who went to school at Hohoe were Bani Dagadu (son of chief), Manfred Kokumi, Eitel Fritz Brempong, Traugott Kwami Oyiatey, Emil Kodzo Togah, Anku Tama Evogbe, Benhard Agbodza and Gilbert Akosi also from Gbodome. In all, 13 from Santrokofi were educated, out of which Kokumi, Brempong and Agbodza became teachers. Rev. G.Y Agbodza survived to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the church. None of them however is alive to witness the Centenary celebrations.

 REQUEST FOR A SCHOOL  (1902)

After the visit of the German district Commissioner to Santrokofi as contained in the letter, the Paramount Chief Wawa Dagadu, Ananse Otitiaku Chief of Bume, and Okpei Brempong chief of Benua sent a delegation to the Bremen Head office at Amedzofe to appeal to them to start a school in Santrokofi so that sons and daughters of Santrokofi “can also talk with their hands “. After a few days, the delegation returned with the message to find a piece of land and prepare it for the construction works. Rev .E.Burgi and Rev.H.Schosser went to take measurement for the construction of three classrooms. The people with great zeal put up the walls and requested the Hohoe Bremen Mission to send artisans to help with roofing it with thatch. At that time, the people of Santrokofi had perfected the art of building and roofing their house with mud and were not good at roofing with thatch. It a pity that this great art of roofing with mud and which created very cool and fire-proof houses has been denigrated and discarded over the years. It will be wealth reviving it only for the curiosity that it may create for architecture and building technology students of today! On completion of the school block, the Bremen Missionaries at Amedzofe posted Mr. Theophlus Kwami Amankwaa, a native of Peki Dzake to Olεεkpoo on August 16, 1903 as a teacher and catechist. The school opened with 40 pupils from the three towns at class one. Among them were: Abotsike and Kokutse from Gbodome, Barnabas Otitiaku and Akuamoa Kumi from Bume and Gotthold Akortia, Emil Toga, Petro Pewudie Teperatu, Eginhardt Erasmus AyiKofi and Charlotte Teperatu being the only female pupil. In 1904 five other female pupils, namely, Freda Ananse, Emilia Anyabor Anyitevi, Iren Egbeta Akortia, Alice Emma Brempong and Helene Kosi Agbodza, were also enrolled. During those days, female education was frowned upon and it was only when one had been betrothed to an educated person that one was sent to school, Charlotte Teperatu completed junior school at Akpafu Todzi in1908 and was then sent to Ho to do a Housecraft course from 1909 to 1910. The other five who followed her were also sent to Ho to continue their education in housecraft. They were thus prepared for marriage and became role models in their respective communities. Rev. Herman Schosser was transferred from Amedzofe to the Akpafu Parish in 1905. On assumption of duty, He turned the parish and selected pupils who spoke the Ewe language to open the junior school at Akpafu Todzi in 1906. Those who were selected from Santrokofi (Olεεkpoo) to attend the junior school were Yosef Okropani, Godwin Yao Agbodza, Petro Pewudie, victor Adukonu Sey, and Eginhard Foli Amewu. It was obvious that Rev. Schosser based his evangelism on the acquisition of knowledge through formal education. There was a small group of citizens whose education had not been recorded probably because they went to school elsewhere in the then British colony. Some of them worthy of mention include the late Enoch Takyi-Bonse of Santrokofi Gbodome, Nicholas Yao Noamesi and Gordon K. letup of Benua, all of blessed memory. Mr. Takyi Bonse and Noamesi was brilliant student at Kinbu School in Accra in the 1920s. Who could have become the first lawyer or doctor. Their education was cut short when the elder at home summoned them to return to Santrokofi so that they coud read and write letters for them as Walter Blafo was doing in the past. They played glorious roles in local government and development affairs for selee and Santrokofi Traditional area. Mr. Gordon Lettu was the first Santrokofi citizen to entre Achimota College where he passed out with Distinction as a teacher. May their souls rest in peace.  DESCENT FROM OLEEHKPOO MOUNTAINS TO THE PRESENT SETTLEMENT IN THE VALLEY 

During those days, settlement on mountain tops allowed for better fortification and observation post for communities. Despite that advantage, they on the other hand experience hardship in accessing suitable farmlands and had to descend to the valley for farming and hunting purposes. The construction of a motor road through the valley to Jasikan mean that it was no more necessary to pass through the mountain top town of Oleehkpoo to go to any other place unless one need to transact business there. Consequently many government officials were not prepared to climb to the settlement. Meanwhile, a government Gust House and office had been built alongside the new road at ‘Omma’ near Bume where the K Kumi family had been resident many years before the rest of the people decided to move their settlement to the valley. Government officials no more went to oleekpoo but invite the people to come and meet them at the Gust House. The tedium of climbing and descend for farming and hunting purposes, and on the orders of disciplinarian colonial officers as well as the attraction of the new motor road compelled them to move from Oleehkpoo to their present settlement. The inhabitants of Santrokofi Bume were the first move between 1905 and1906, followed by Gbodome 1906 to1907 and then Benua between 1907 and 1908. When the people started moving, Rev. Schsser took it upon himself to find land for the creation of a Christian village (Mission kpodzi) and he chose a central point between the three towns hip. He then consulted the landowners namely, Wawa Abotsi Kumi who willingly release the chosen piece of land and supervised the demarcation of the property. According to the Bremen Mission Ordinance land documents, the Bremen Mission made a present of DM 16 (sixteen German Mark) worth of Tobacco to the landowners and a bottle of wine as their show of gratitude. The first to build at Christian village was Elder Abraham Teperatu and was followed by others including Elder Banabas Otitiaku. The building of teacher’s quarters was expedited by the expertise acquired while building the school block at Olεεkpoo. In fact, they went for some of the roofing beams, doors and windows which were still in good condition for use on the construction at the Christian village. In the same spirit of hard work, the catechist’s resident was completed to enable Mr. Valentine Agbesinyale, a teacher to move in 1908. BAPTISM OF PIONEER CHRINTIANS

The first to be baptised in Santrokofi was Abraham Kwasi Teperetu on April 21, 1907. And the second was Petro Pewudie Teperetu at Akpafu Todzi on May 19, 1909 by Rev. H. schosser. The third group was made up of Emmanuel Dzato Yaotse, Andreas Kodzo Agbefe, Yaosua Kofi Anipa, Dora Teperetu and Emma Teperetu baptised on December 18, 1910 by Rev Schosser at Santrokofi while on Christmas Day, 1910, Erasmus Aye-Kofi, Erhardt Kayente Teperetu, Barnabas Otitiaku, Solome Tohewu Akotia and Rebeka Ama Agbefe were baptised. Andreas and Rebeka Ama Agbefe was the first couple to get their marriage blessed at Santrokofi. Mr. T.K Amankwaa (the first teacher)was transferred in 1907 and was replace with Valentine Agbesinyale. In 1910. George Adjei was transferred from Nkonya Ntsumuru to relieve mr. agesinyale. Mr. Edward Anyomi in 1912 replace Mr. Adjei and in 1914 Mr. Thomas Dogbe took over the school. The fist World war started in 1914 mr Thomas Dogbe took over the school. The fist world war started in 1914 to 1918 ending in the defeat of the Germans and their colonial territory, Togo was put under the united Nations Trusteeship with the British government administering part of the territory including Santrokofi. The German language and educational system which had been in place since 1890 in Togoland was abruptly stopped and the English language and system introduce. Short refresher courses were organised for the teachers who were German educated. Messrs Manfred Kokumi, Eitel Fritz Brempong and Godwin Agbodza were the three from Santrokofi who benefited from the conversion to English and continued their work. Mr. Agbodza who later ordained the first ever Minister for the church from Santrokofi taught from 1912 until 1946. In the absence of teachers during the world war l, it was Michael Kokumi who held fort for the continuation of Christian Missionary work in Santrokofi. Form 1915 to1921 however, then Teacher Godwin Agbodza devoted himself to work for Christ in Santrokofi some where in 1916, when then Teacher Agbodza tolled the bell for church service to be held, the paramount chief Wawa Dagadu sent his linguist to find out from Mr. Agbodza who granted him the authority for the act in the absence of the German colonialist. He was heavily fine and later transferred to Guaman to be replaced by Herman Gadagoe who served until his transfer in 1926 and replacement by M.K Asemda in 1927. Unfortunately, the thatched roof of the school block caught fire resulting in the closure of the school until 1929. It was at that time that the classroom, popularly known as “Abodzokpo” was built near the chapel at Bume. A new teacher, Clemens Agbo was transferred to Santrokofi and he started with 36 pupils in January 1930. Among them were Robert Yao Tiase, Seth Kwasi Akolor and Kofi Atute. In 1933, Mr M.K Azuma took over the school and was replaced in 1936 by Mr Isaac Alomele. Others who joined as teachers were Mr. AK Nyoagbe and Benhard Tuapani. They worked with devotion and in cooperation with the chiefs and people resulting in the addition of three more classrooms, office and store to the school. The synod of the then Ewe Presbyterian Church helped with the opening of a junior school and also supplied it with musical instruments in 1937. On completion of a course for Preparatory school teachers, Miss Justice Dzakpa was transferred to start one at Santrokofi in july 1937. Miss Cornelia Tumdie later took over in 1940 and were paid by the chiefs of Santrokofi. The chiefs and people built a residential accommodation for six teachers on the compound and on the recommendation of the then Educational Officer of the district, Mr V.A Tettey, the school complex was placed on the Government assisted list of schools for the gold coast. CHAPEL   BUILDING (1917-1918) THE CONGREGATION had been worshiping in one of the classrooms and it became necessary as the members increase to build a chapel. The construction started in 1917 and completed the following year. Presbyters who were most instrumental in facilitating the construction were Teperetu and Barnabas Otitiaku. G.Y Agbodza led the youth of the time to offer communal labour. On completion, Messrs Atsemda and Gaba from Gbi Bla plastered the walls and painted them as well since such artisans were not yet available in the community. The Head teacher George Adgei led school children and other members of the congregation to tap rubber for sale and the proceeds were used to buy a bell for the church.  TRADITIONAL AUTHORITY As the people migrate from place to place, they were ruled by chiefs. The chiefs in the late 19th and 20th centuries were Wawa Dagadu the Paramount chief, Nana Ananse and Nana Sarku Brempong l. these chiefs controlled and managed the affairs of the people. The German colonial rulers recognised them and give them cups of office to wear. Today, there are many sub-chiefs in the three towns headed by the Paramount chief Nana Letsabi ll. The paramountancy rotates between five clans in the traditional area. The Head chiefs in the three towns presently are Nana Otitiaku lll for Bume Nana Sarku Brempong V for Benua and Nana Tetteh Kala ill for Gbodome. Santrokofi traditional council headed by the Paramount chief is the smallest traditional area recognised by the government of Ghana since the first Republic. OCCUPATION Formaly the people of Santrokofi were iron ore miners in addition to food and cash crop farming. Santrokofi Mountain contains iron ore. They smelted the ore and got iron which they used to make farming tools and war implements like spears and knives. Iron ore mining collapsed at olεεkpo Takala before the descent to the valley, simply because of the arrival of wares of superior quality from Europe. Santrokofi is famous in brown rice farming up today ACHIEVEMENTS The advent of Christianity and establishment of schools completely changed the way of the people. The first Reverend Minister ordained in Santrokofi was Rev. G. Y Agbodza, He was followed by Rev. Otinaa, V.E Otitiaku, E.K Nana Attu all of E.P Church However Rev EV Otitiaku left E.P Church and was the first synod clerk of the Global Evangelical Church. In the Roman Catholic Church we are proud to have the first high ranking Priest in the name of the late Rev. Monsignor Rudolph Apietu. May his soul rest in peace. We have in Santrokofi other Christian denominations such as Saturday Adventist Church (SDA), Pentecost Church, The Great Commission, Assemblies of God Church, Deeper Life Ministry and others. There are several Santrokofi citizens of other church who have also been ordained Ministers and Evangelists. Rev. Mrs. Eva Mensah is the first female Minister from Santrokofi. She belongs to the AME Zion Church in Accra GRATITUDE Dear Reader, you have just completed reading how the world got to Santrokofi a hundred years ago. The benefit and blessing that the Christian religion brought to the people of Santrokofi can no more be documented in one publication. The people went ahead to build a modern Boarding middle school  in 1952 which attracted student from all over the region. Government took over the building for an emergency teacher training centre to meet the requirement of teachers for an accelerated educational programme in Ghana. The student came from far and near and to date many are those who passed through the centre and who still have fond memories and goodwill for Santrokofi. All the three towns now have their respective primary and JHS and the next target is a senior secondary school Santrokofi EP Church is now a full District with it’s own Rev. Minister currently in the person of Rev. Mrs. A.A. Obro-Adibo. The District was carved out of the Akpafu District in 1982. The original Chapel at Bume now serves the small congregation left in Bume while the other two towns build their own Chapel and are presently constructing larger and more imposing structures to the glory and Honour of God Almighty. On this historic, occasion, we give thinks to God Almighty for his Mercies. May the Souls of all those who toiled and preserved to established the Christian religion under the Bremen Mission, the Ewe Presbyterian Church and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana of today rest in peace in the arms of their Maker. May God’s Blessing shower on those who continue to pick up the mantle of departed fathers in the Lord. Finally, it is most heart-warming and pleasing for those of us celebrating One hundred years anniversary of Christianity in Santrokofi to read Bible tract in Sεlεε!! Our forefathers had the wrong notation that God Almighty only understood the languages in which the Bible was translated. It was impossible for them to commune with God in own their language  because prayers were always offered only in a language which was not their mother tongue. Today, a Bible translation into Sεlεε project is in progress! Halleluiah! That is a miracle of our times. We are looking forward to the times ahead when reading and writing of Sεlεε will be taught in the schools in Santrokofi