Ghana’s football fraternity has been thrown into mourning following reports of the death of the Gbese Mantse, His Royal Majesty Dr. Nii Ayi Bonte II, a former Hearts of Oak administrator who played a pivotal role in one of the club’s most successful periods.
The traditional ruler, known in private life as Thomas Okine, reportedly passed away on Saturday, June 6, according to local media reports. Although the cause of death has not been officially disclosed, reports suggest he had been battling health challenges in recent times.
His reported passing comes just days after he performed traditional rites to lift the annual ban on noise-making and commenced preparations for this year’s Homowo Festival.
While Nii Ayi Bonte II was widely respected for his leadership as the Gbese Mantse, many football fans remember him for his immense contribution to Hearts of Oak during the club’s golden era in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Serving first as Team Manager and later as Chief Executive Officer, he oversaw a period that saw the Phobians dominate domestic and continental football. Under his stewardship, Hearts of Oak won numerous trophies, including the CAF Champions League, CAF Super Cup and the inaugural CAF Confederation Cup, achievements that cemented the club’s place among Africa’s football elite.
News of his reported death quickly spread across social media, triggering an outpouring of tributes from football supporters, former players and members of the Ga community.
Many fans recalled his passionate involvement in Ghana football and his memorable media appearances during some of Hearts of Oak’s greatest triumphs.
Beyond football, Nii Ayi Bonte was an accomplished businessman and public servant. An accountant by profession, he founded Lifetime Pharmacy Limited and Savemart Company Limited and served on several traditional and public institutions, including the Judicial Committees of the Ga Traditional Council and the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs.
He also made significant contributions to boxing administration, managing former world champion Joseph Agbeko and promoting international boxing events in Ghana.
His life was marked by service, leadership and a commitment to community development, earning him respect in traditional governance, business and sports administration.
As tributes continue to pour in, many have described his passing as a major loss to both the Ga State and Ghanaian football, where his legacy remains firmly etched in the history of Hearts of Oak and the broader sporting landscape.
