He walks in silence, wrapped in white. Not a fashion choice. Not a symbol. A lifelong vow. For Numo Akwaa Mensah III, the Highest Chief Priest of the Ga State, white isn’t just tradition, it’s destiny.
He has worn it every day for the last 13 years, and he will continue until the day his body is returned to the ancestors. There is no exception. No black for mourning, no blue for joy, not even beige for compromise.
“It is forbidden,” he says, his voice solemn yet steady. “The moment I wear another colour, I break a covenant. That covenant keeps me alive, connected to the gods, and in service of my people.”
Even the fabric he wears has spiritual significance. White cotton and linen only. Never coloured. His clothing, his headgear, his appearance, each detail is dictated by tradition and protected by mystery.
Life in White
In an exclusive interview with Adubia TV, Numo Akwaa Mensah III indicated that in the Ga traditional belief, white represents purity, holiness, and divine alignment. As the Highest Priest, Numo’s commitment goes beyond ceremony; it’s embodied in his everyday life. In a world increasingly disconnected from ancient customs, Numo Akwaa Mensah III remains a living relic, bridging the spiritual past with the uncertain present. His story is not just one of obedience to tradition, but of surrender to destiny.
As he walks in all white, unshaken, unyielding, he carries the weight of a lineage, a people, and a mystery most will never fully understand. Even the head wrap he wears has a purpose. It shields him from direct contact with the moon, a celestial force he must not engage with unguarded. “You may think these are just customs,” he says. “But each has a spiritual reason. And breaking even one has consequences.” He indicated.
The white cloth binds him, but it also isolates him. He doesn’t attend funerals. He doesn’t wear symbols of modern politics or fashion. He is not allowed to grieve like others. Even his hair can only be shaved or braided by someone who has undergone a special rite.
Yet despite the burden, Numo says he carries no regret. “This is the purpose. And purpose often costs comfort.” Numo Akwaa Mensah III added.
In his 13 years of service, Numo Akwaa Mensah III has learned one difficult truth: being a spiritual leader is not about being liked. It’s about giving people what they need, spiritually, culturally, and truthfully.
“I don’t expect them to love me. That’s not my work. I must serve, even when they resist.”
