BY: NewsDesk | VoltaOnline
The Chiefs and people of Tanyigbe, in the Ho Municipality, have begun the final funeral rites of their beloved Divisional Chief of Dzafe, Togbe Yao Sunu II, whose passing on September 2, 2022, at age 86, left a deep void in the hearts of his people.
For over 55 years, Togbe Sunu II walked with his community — not above them, but among them — leading with humility, faith, and a fatherly devotion that earned him the affectionate title “Togbe-Pastor.” His reign was not only marked by tradition, but by a rare blend of compassion and vision that touched every household in Tanyigbe Dzafe.
The ceremonies, which began on October 30, 2025, will climax on November 23, 2025, as chiefs, dignitaries, and residents gather to celebrate a life that was both ordinary in its simplicity and extraordinary in its impact.
Paramount Chief of Tanyigbe Traditional Area, Togbe Kodi Adiko VI, captured the collective sentiment when he described the late leader as “an exceptional chief who gave respect freely and saw all of us as partners in service to our people.”
Born in 1936 as Johnson Yao Avornyo, the young boy who once dried his only school cloth over fire to attend classes grew into a Quantity Surveyor, a pioneer in beekeeping and snail farming, and ultimately a chief whose vision brought electrification, schools, roads, and a community centre to his people.
His Christian devotion was equally profound. As a presbyter of the Global Evangelical Church, his faith infused his leadership with grace, and the church itself became known as “Togbe Sunu Ha” — Togbe Sunu’s church — a testament to his spiritual influence.
Beyond the boundaries of Dzafe, he carried the voice of his people to the Norvisi Development Union (NorDU), ensuring that Tanyigbe’s aspirations were never left unheard.
Today, as drums echo and hymns rise, the people of Tanyigbe Dzafe do not only mourn a chief; they celebrate a father, a pastor, and a servant leader whose legacy of humility, faith, and development will continue to inspire generations yet unborn.
