October 4, 2025 marks the day the veteran journalist, media reformer, and Apagyahene of Tafo Eti will be laid to rest in his ancestral home of Akyem Tafo in the Eastern Region.
As a statesman whose extraordinary life in journalism, sports, literature, social reform advocacy and traditional leadership served the nation well and touched many lives, his burial is set to be a Homecoming.
Nana Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng passed on May 26, 2025, in London, where he had been seeking medical treatment for months. And the news of passing has since echoed with deep sighs of loss across the nation, especially the literary and media landscape.
This article pays tribute to his remarkable journey, from his first published article as a child to his final days spent completing his autobiography and his glorious return to the soil, cementing a legacy that will endure for generations.
The mortal remains of Nana Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng arrived at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra on Wednesday 27th August 2025. And in a solemn ceremony, leading members of the family (the traditional leaders) inspected the documents covering the hermetically sealed casket, to ensure the details were those of the renowned journalist and storyteller who was a mentor, comrade, father and brother to many.
The Saanhene and his linguist poured libation to welcome the dearly departed and bless his return home, while the District Minister of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Dzorwulu, Rev. Kingsley Asare Addo, offered prayers.
This poignant blend of traditional custom and Christian prayer perfectly encapsulated the life of a man who seamlessly navigated this world with pure and open mind and spirit.
For Nana Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, the pen shall always be mightier than any sword. And his pen charted a path of high literary standards and Pan African excellence while remaining a revolutionary across institutions, continents, communities and relationships he fostered.
His ink-stained path was first marked in the early 1960s, where at the age of 11 his school paper article was published in the Ashanti Times — a moment that ignited his lifelong devotion to storytelling.
From passion to career
In High School, he wrote for the Okuapeman Secondary School sports paper where he became Deputy Editor. And at the University of Ghana he was a regular contributor for his Hall magazine ‘Echo’.
His commitment to journalism was sealed during a university vacation in Tamale, where he interned at the Ghana News Agency. After his first assignment, his editor bought him a bottle of Club Beer. Nana later recalled this gesture as so warm and unexpected that he declared, "Any job where I can sit with my boss and drink beer is the job I want for life.". This moment set him on a path that would define his career.
He honed his skills in London during the 1980s and early 1990s, serving as deputy editor of the erstwhile West Africa magazine, where he worked to amplify African perspectives on the global stage. He also served as a part time lecturer at Vauxhall College in London and the European University Centre for Peace Studies in Austria.
Upon returning to Ghana, Nana Gyan-Apenteng paid his dues on the media landscape working at the Ghanaian Times and The Mirror. At The Mirror, he became Editor, and he remained a devoted columnist even long after his retirement. He also served as the head of communications for the Third World Network and editor of its monthly magazine, Africa Agenda.
Beyond his editorial roles, he became a sought-after media trainer and communication consultant for numerous organizations, including MTN Ghana, UN agencies, and the Media Foundation for West Africa, sharing his expertise with a new generation of journalists.
Architect of media integrity and reform
Nana Gyan-Apenteng's most significant institutional influence came through his service on the National Media Commission (NMC), which he chaired from November 2015 to November 2018. His tenure was defined by a visionary and inclusive approach to strengthening the media as a fundamental pillar of Ghana's democracy.
George Sarpong, the Executive Secretary of the NMC, paid tribute to him, noting that he "embodied the finest traditions of public service, bringing integrity, wisdom, and a deep respect for democratic values to every role he occupied".
His commitment to reform continued even after his term. Shortly before his passing, he proposed significant constitutional reforms to transform the NMC, advocating for a more effective structure. Key among his proposals was a reduction in the number of commissioners from 18 to 9, who would perform full-time work to enhance the Commission's efficiency. This demonstrated his forward-thinking nature and his constant desire to improve the institutions he served.
As President of the Ghana Association of Writers (GAW), he nurtured literary talent and fostered cultural dialogue. He was deeply passionate about poetry which he reflected in his friendship with Prof. Atukwei Okai and the many events they occasioned together giving inspiration and guidance to most of the finest young Ghanaian Spoken Word Poets today.
He was widely recognized as a mentor and inspiration. Award-winning writer Nana Fredua-Agyeman Jnr. eulogized him as a "literary colossus" who actively guided young talents. Recalling his own beginnings, Fredua-Agyeman Jnr. shared how Nana promptly registered him as a member of GAW and offered continuous encouragement throughout his journey, from winning his first award to becoming an established writer.
This personal touch highlighted his profound belief that journalism and writing were not merely professions but tools for social justice and development.
Custodian of culture and tradition
Beyond the newsroom, Nana Gyan-Apenteng played a significant role as the Apagyahene of Akyem Ati Amanfrom. In this capacity, he embodied the dignity of tradition, serving as a bridge between Ghana's rich cultural heritage and its modern identity. His chieftaincy was not merely an honorary title; it was an integral part of his identity, informing his worldview and his commitment to public service.
He eloquently blended his intellectual pursuits with his traditional responsibilities. His deep understanding of culture was not as a relic of the past but as a living, guiding compass for community development. This unique position allowed him to advocate for progressive ideas while remaining firmly rooted in the wisdom of tradition, making him a respected voice on issues of national importance.
His dual identity as a man of letters and a man of tradition found its ultimate expression in his final literary work. Before his passing, he completed the manuscripts for his autobiography, titled "What I Choose to Remember". Launched posthumously at a vigil in his honour on September 21, 2025, the 22-chapter book takes readers on a journey through his life, employing humour and storytelling to share experiences from his childhood, his time abroad, and his professional career.
The book was launched by the Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, who described Nana as someone "interested in the welfare of humanity than material wealth". The autobiography stands as a fitting capstone to a life dedicated to narrative and memory, ensuring that his voice would continue to instruct and inspire.
A quiet battle and unwavering dedication
Nana Gyan-Apenteng battled cancer quietly, demonstrating a resilience that was principled, not performative. He never allowed his illness to eclipse his mission. Even in his final months, he was actively editing manuscripts, mentoring young writers, and preparing for the launch of his memoir. This unwavering dedication was a testament to his core belief that "the work must go on," a creed he lived by until the very end.
His passing at the age of 74 marked the close of a chapter in Ghana's intellectual and cultural history. Yet, even in his decline, he focused on building bridges and securing his legacy. Dr. Nana Charles Sifa Twum, Acting Board Chair of the Ghana News Agency, encapsulated this spirit, urging those in the media to "continue where he left off.
We need to talk about devices in society; we need to fight by our voices and I think when we do these things posterity will judge us". Nana Gyan-Apenteng is survived by six children and countless mentees who carry fragments of his wisdom and passion.
Final journey and enduring legacy
The burial ceremony for Nana Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng in Akyem Tafo on October 4, 2025, is more than a funeral; it is a national event that reflects his standing as a pillar of both modern media and traditional society. The ceremonies will undoubtedly draw a diverse gathering of family, friends, media professionals, government officials, and traditional leaders, all united in paying their respects to a man who served his country with exceptional distinction.
His legacy is multifaceted and enduring. As a journalist, he championed integrity and public interest. As a media chairman, he built institutional resilience. As a chief, he safeguarded cultural heritage. And as a writer and mentor, he ensured that the flame of knowledge would be passed on.
In the words of a tribute from Heritage Shield Ghana, "Nana Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng was not merely a journalist — he was a shield bearer of truth, a steward of memory, and a voice of ceremonial clarity. In an age of symbolic confusion, he stood firm — like the baobab tree that does not bow to the wind".
While the drum of his physical presence may have fallen silent, the rhythm of his influence continues to echo in Ghana's newsrooms, its literary circles, its traditional councils, and the conscience of a nation he served so well.
Nana Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng finally goes home, but his story—a story he told so masterfully throughout his life as reflected in his autobiography, ‘What I Choose to Remember’, —becomes an indelible part of Ghana's socio-political and literary narrative and that of all of the global south.
His life and works will continue to inspire and drive the passions and excellence of many in Ghana and across the world, especially in the spaces of journalism, the arts and African culture, for ages to come.
His burial will be followed by a Thanksgiving service on Sunday October 5 at Eti Amanfrom, New Akyem Tafo.
