The Anlo State is in mourning following the passing of one of its most revered historians, Agbotadua Kumassah, known privately as John Fred Kwaku Kumassah. He died on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Tema General Hospital, aged 82. His departure marks the loss of a cultural pillar whose voice, scholarship, and memory shaped the understanding of Anlo identity for decades.
The announcement of his passing was made by the traditional leadership of Anlo, the Kumassah family, and allied clans, joined by major civic, religious, and community institutions across Dzelukope, Anyako, Keta, and Anloga. Their collective grief reflects the stature of a man whose work transcended family lines and became part of the intellectual foundation of the Anlo nation.
For many, Agbotadua Kumassah was more than a historian. He was a custodian of ancestral memory, a guide to the complexities of lineage and tradition, and a trusted interpreter of the stories that define the Anlo people. His contributions enriched public discourse, informed traditional deliberations, and ensured that the heritage of Anlo was preserved with clarity, dignity, and depth.
Funeral arrangements begin on Friday, 27th March 2026, with a family gathering and vigil at his residence in Vui, Keta. A burial mass will follow on Saturday, 28th March 2026, at KETASCO Park at 9:30 a.m., after which a private burial will take place. Attire for the day is red and black. Thanksgiving Mass is scheduled for Sunday, 29th March 2026, at St. Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church in Dzelukope at 9:30 a.m., followed by final funeral rites at his residence.
He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Vivian Afi Kumassah, six children, fifteen grandchildren, four great‑grandchildren, siblings, nephews, nieces, and in‑laws. The chief mourners include the leadership of the Kumassah and Allied Families, both home and abroad, whose unity in grief underscores the depth of his impact.
As the Anlo community prepares to bid him farewell, tributes continue to pour in for a man whose life’s work fortified the cultural foundations of his people. His legacy endures in the stories he preserved, the knowledge he shared, and the pride he inspired in generations.
All friends, sympathizers, and well‑wishers are respectfully invited to join the family and the Anlo State in honoring the life and legacy of this illustrious son.
