Royal Roots, Modern Vision: Nana Esi Ninsin VIII Crusade for Community Empowerment

Born in Accra, Nana Esi Ninsin VIII inherited her royal status through her maternal lineage, which led her to reside in Ekunfi Ekrawfo, in the central region of Ghana. A teacher by profession and a social worker by passion, she has spent the last 14 years living in and serving the Ekunfi Ekrawfo community. Despite personal tragedies, including the loss of both parents and all three children, she remains a pillar of strength and compassion.

“I see myself as a mother of the community,” she says. “Leadership is not just a title; it’s a responsibility.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints found fertile ground in Nana Esi Ninsin VIII’s community through her own spiritual journey. After years of observing and studying the Church online, she formally joined in 2017 alongside her brother Charles and cousin Joannes. But the Church did not meet in a chapel; it met in her palace.

With no formal meetinghouse nearby, Nana Esi Ninsin VIII opened her palace for Sunday services, missionary lessons, and gospel study. Her home became a sanctuary for faith and fellowship, especially for those curious but hesitant to attend a formal church.

“I invited the missionaries to come during our skills training,” she explains. “We’d have an hour of gospel teaching before the training began.” This grassroots approach helped the Church gain traction in a predominantly Muslim community, where religious diversity required sensitivity and trust building.

One of the most touching stories Nana Esi Ninsin VIII shared was about a young girl named Mary Mensah in the village, who was inspired by the queen’s example and started her own informal church group, called the Children’s Church. With no resources or formal training, the girl gathered friends and neighbors to pray, sing, and study scripture. After the children’s church service, Mary, their leader, uses their offering of one cedi each to prepare food for them, saying, “They don’t have access to their offering in the mother church.”

When Nana Esi Ninsin VIII learned of her efforts, she welcomed the girl into her fold, integrating her group into the larger church community, the Ekunfi Ekrawfo Group of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “She had a good spirit,” Nana said. “And now she’s part of our training and outreach.”

This act of inclusion not only validated the girl’s leadership but also reinforced Nana Ninsin’s belief that spiritual growth and community development are inextricably linked.

Nana Ninsin’s palace is more than a place of worship; it’s a hub for self-reliance. Partnering with LDS Charities and other organizations like Engage Now Africa, she has trained over 200 people in beadwork, batik, baking, bamboo crafts, and literacy. Her programs reach Ekunfi Ekrawfo and neighboring communities, empowering participants to become economically independent.

“We used bamboo to make bags, chairs, and more,” she says. “And we always include literacy to break language barriers.”

She has also introduced specialty training in pastries and cakes, despite limited funding. “I use my own money,” she says. “We charge 50 cedis, but it’s still expensive for many.”

Nana Ninsin’s advocacy extends to education and menstrual health. She has introduced clubs like Women in Law and Development Africa in local schools, helping reduce dropout rates and teenage pregnancies. “Last year, I received an award from the Director of Education,” she shares proudly. “Now we don’t have pregnant girls in class.”

But challenges remain. “My girls use banana stalks as sanitary pads,” she says. “Disabled girls can’t manage menstruation in schools without proper toilets.” She’s calling for support for sanitary pads, school supplies, and infrastructure improvements.

Her training center, which includes dormitories and classrooms, lacks water and functioning washrooms. She has submitted a proposal to the Church for help. “If we get support, we can turn it into a PEF center,” she says, referencing the Perpetual Education Fund and the Gathering Place.

She also sees potential in agriculture. “Our land is good for cassava, carrots, and leaves,” she says. “The youth need something to do.”

Nana Esi Ninsin VIII is writing a book to challenge the status quo in traditional leadership. “There’s no criterion for selecting chiefs or queen mothers,” she argues. “We need leaders with an organizational mindset and community vision.” Her message is clear: tradition and modernity can coexist. With faith, education, and empowerment, communities can thrive.

She testifies, “I know the Church is true. I sustain all the callings and leave this with them in the name of the Church.” Her story is a testament to the power of faith-driven leadership. In a world where tradition often clashes with progress, Nana Ninsin stands as a bridge—royal, resilient, and revolutionary.