The Mfantsipim Old Boys’ Association (MOBA) has paid glowing tribute to distinguished lawyer and academic, Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata, as he marks 50 years at the Ghana Bar, hailing him as a towering beacon of legal brilliance, service, and legacy.
In a statement issued by Moses Baiden Jnr, MOBA Ebusuapanyin (President of the Association), the association described Tsikata’s golden anniversary as not only a personal milestone but also a moment of immense pride for all alumni of Mfantsipim School, popularly known as Kwabotwe.
A legacy that began at age nine at Mfantsipim
“Your peerless career as a lawyer undoubtedly takes its roots from Mfantsipim School, where you were enrolled at the very tender age of nine in the year 1960. This is indeed one of the many records you have set in life,” the MOBA President wrote.
He noted that for half a century, Mr. Tsikata has “shaped and illuminated Ghana’s legal landscape and beyond,” combining exceptional courtroom prowess with academic rigour, political insight, and an unshakable commitment to justice.
“To every MOBA past and present,” he continued, “you represent Excellence, Mentorship, Legacy, and the Power of Kwabotwe Education. We say Ayekoo! You have carried the torch of Kwabotwe with unparalleled distinction.”
The scholar, the advocate, the inspiration
Tsatsu Tsikata, widely revered as “The Law Faculty” for his towering intellect and masterful legal reasoning, has become a symbol of excellence in Ghana’s judiciary and academia.
Born on October 1, 1950, in Keta in the Volta Region, Tsikata’s academic brilliance manifested early.
Despite childhood health challenges with asthma, he accelerated through school, gaining admission to Mfantsipim at age nine on a scholarship.
By 18, he had graduated from the University of Ghana with First Class Honours in Law and went on to Oxford University, where he again obtained First Class in Civil Law.
As a lecturer at the University of Ghana Law Faculty from 1972 to 1988, he mentored a generation of Ghanaian legal and political leaders, including the current Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, and former NPP Chairman Freddie Blay.
His legal journey saw him represent key figures in Ghana’s political and legal history — from the late President Jerry John Rawlings and William Ofori-Atta (Paa Willie) to current political actors such as Sammy Okudzeto. He played a pivotal role in landmark legal battles, including the celebrated Tuffuor v. Attorney General (1980) case.
Tsikata: Beyond the courtroom
Beyond litigation and academia, Tsikata’s career has extended into the energy sector and public service.
From 1988 to 2000, he served as Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), leading Ghana’s most intensive period of oil and gas exploration.
He was instrumental in initiating regional energy partnerships like the West African Gas Pipeline project, and later advised other African governments, including Equatorial Guinea and Benin, on oil industry development.
Tsikata also worked with the UN Centre for Transnational Corporations, cementing his reputation as a pan-African expert in oil and gas governance.
A family of excellence
Mr. Tsikata is married to Esther Cobbah, a communications strategist and CEO of Stratcomm Africa.
Together, they have three children, including the celebrated Ghanaian rapper M.anifest and actress Sena Tsikata, known for her role in Things We Do For Love.
Despite lifelong health challenges, Tsikata has never allowed asthma to define his path.
He remains a devoted Christian and serves as an elder at the Asbury Dunwell Church in Accra.
The MOBA statement concluded with heartfelt wishes for continued strength, wisdom, and good health for Mr. Tsikata, stating: “Your golden anniversary fills us with immense pride. May the celebrations be a fitting tribute to a life and career dedicated to the highest ideals of justice, learning, and service to Ghana.”
For the alumni of Mfantsipim and all who value the pursuit of excellence, Tsatsu Tsikata’s journey remains a luminous path, one that reflects the timeless motto of Kwabotwe: Dwen Hwe Kan — Think and Look Ahead.
