The story of Ayieta Azantilow, the northern chief who was a reliable ally of the colonial British
Nab Dr Ayieta Azantilow, a late Paramount Chief of the Builsa State, was a highly esteemed leader, deeply revered by his people for his remarkable achievements and dedicated service.
From his humble beginnings as a shepherd boy to working as a farmer during his adolescence and adulthood, Dr Ayieta Azantilow rose to become a highly respected and influential figure, earning the admiration of both his people and the British colonial authorities.
During the Second World War, historical accounts show that the British placed great reliance on Dr Azantilow’s leadership in recruiting soldiers for the war effort.
His influence was so profound that in 1942, the then Governor of the Gold Coast called upon him to address the Regiment stationed in Kumasi, offering them words of encouragement ahead of their deployment to the war fronts in Abyssinia and Burma.
In 1945, Dr Ayieta Azantilow is said to have once again demonstrated his influence by addressing the entire West African Regiment in Accra, his biography reads.
He is also said to have declined a loan offered by the British colonial authorities, and instead contributed £10 of the £15 needed to complete a school project — the first-ever Native Authority Primary Boarding School at Sandema.
The school was completed in 1935 and officially opened in 1936, marking a significant milestone in the development of education in the Builsa District.
His impactful work and contributions spanned various sectors, earning him widespread recognition.
His reputation and leadership were so esteemed that he was invited to represent the Gold Coast at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in London.
As fate would have it, he passed away in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable leadership and service.
He is remembered as one of the longest-serving Paramount Chiefs in Ghana’s history.
