The Bissa community in Effiekuma, a suburb of Ghana’s Western Region, gathered on Sunday to hold 40th day memorial service for their paramount chief, Kir Iddrisu Haruna Nombre, who reigned for over two decades until his passing last month.
Chief Nombre, popularly known as “Gyato”, assumed the traditional leadership of Effiekuma in 2001 and died on April 10th after a short illness.
His 23-year reign as the Bissa chief witnessed significant development in Effiekuma. Nombre was widely respected for his wisdom, humility, and commitment to uplifting the community.
Approximately a thousand people, including fellow chiefs, imams, government officials, and parliamentary candidates for both the NDC and NPP parties in the upcoming 2024 elections, attended the solemn event at the Effiekuma Police Park.
The solemn event held on Sunday, 26 May was filled with glowing tributes honouring Kir Nombre’s legacy and impact, while prayers were offered for the late chief, who is survived by two wives and ten children.
Nombre’s passing has left a chieftaincy vacuum in the Bissa community that will need to be filled through traditional rites to install his successor in due course. Until then, his vice chief has assumed temporary leadership responsibilities.
As the Bissa people of Effiekuma mourned the loss of their longtime traditional ruler, they also looked ahead to the future and the appointment of a new paramount chief to build on Nombre’s achievements and legacy.
The outpouring of respect and remembrance at Sunday’s funeral was a testament to Chief Nombre’s revered status and the indelible mark he left on Effiekuma during his nearly three decades of serving as the community’s traditional authority.
While the loss of Chief Nombre marks the end of an era, the Bissa people now look ahead to the installation of his successor, who will be tasked with building on Nombre’s legacy and continuing to guide the community forward.