The Chargé d’Affaires of the Brazil Embassy in Ghana, Minister-Counsellor Cristiano Carneiro Ebner, has signed the book of condolence in honour of the late Tabom Mantse, Nii Azumah V, in a gesture that highlights deep cultural ties and mutual respect between Ghana and Brazil.
Minister-Counsellor Ebner attended the public announcement and formal signing ceremony in Accra, where members of the Tabom Council of Elders, the Mantse Ankrah Royal Family, the Otublohum Traditional Council, and members of the bereaved family were present. The Brazilian diplomatic mission extended its heartfelt condolences to all affected by the passing of the traditional leader.
Nii Azumah V was the Tabon Mantse, the leader of the Tabom people in Ghana, a distinct Afro-Brazilian community tracing its roots to formerly enslaved Africans who returned from Brazil in the 19th century. The Tabom are descendants of those who arrived in Jamestown, Accra, in 1836 and settled with the warm reception of local chiefs, particularly the Mantse of the Otublohum stool.
The Tabom people played a prominent role in the commercial and cultural history of southern Ghana, establishing key trades and institutions — including the first tailoring shop in the country in 1854, which supplied uniforms to colonial forces — and maintaining Portuguese linguistic influences in their heritage.
Ambassador Ebner’s participation in the condolence ceremony underscores the longstanding cultural and historical ties between Ghana and Brazil. These ties are rooted not only in the shared heritage of the Tabom but also in ongoing diplomatic and developmental engagement between the two nations, exemplified by recent high-level visits focused on shared interests in agriculture, culture, and people-to-people diplomacy.
In his remarks, Ebner reaffirmed Brazil’s respect for Ghanaian traditions and the importance of honouring revered leaders who have contributed to their communities’ unity and identity. His presence at the ceremony signalled a strong message of international solidarity and respect for Ghana’s cultural institutions, particularly at a poignant moment of loss.
The late Nii Azumah V was widely respected as a custodian of Tabom history and heritage, carrying forward the legacies of the Afro-Brazilian community that helped shape parts of Accra’s social fabric. The Tabon Mantse title has historically been associated with bridging cultural identities and nurturing strong community bonds that honour both African and diasporic roots.
Representatives of the Tabom Council expressed gratitude for the global outpouring of respect, noting that the ceremony marked not just a moment of mourning but a celebration of the enduring ties that bind nations and peoples across continents. The Brazilian Embassy’s gesture reflects the depth of the Ghana-Brazil partnership and the shared historical narrative of resilience and cultural fusion.
The Afro-Brazilian connection serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of South-South partnerships, cooperation among countries of the Global South rooted in shared histories, development aspirations and cultural ties.
In honouring the Tabon Mantse, Brazil reaffirmed not only solidarity in mourning but also a commitment to strengthening these transatlantic bonds. As Ghana and Brazil continue to build bridges across the South Atlantic, the legacy of Nii Azumah V stands as a testament to the enduring power of shared heritage in shaping diplomatic friendship and mutual progress.
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