The Lady Chief

The Lady Chief narrates the story of a young girl Hilda born of farmers in rural Ghana, West Africa. She became a nationally known runner in secondary school, setting a record for the 800 meters which stood for 23 years. She later met and married her husband Kirt, a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in Ghana. They moved back to the U.S.A. and started a family, and Hilda studied nursing. For 20 years, Hilda worked as a nurse until a disability as the result of a brain tumor forced her to retire. Responding to a call from God to "Go build me a library," Hilda took this as a call from God, and with her husband Kirt went on to establish 64 libraries in rural Ghana.

When the chief of the Dwumana Clan in her hometown died, Hilda was chosen as chief and given the name of Nana Afoakwa Kyerewa the First. This book details Nana's experiences growing up and becoming an African chief. She describes the rituals involved in becoming a chief, and the many traditional customs and duties of a chief which are hundreds of years old. She also tells of her efforts to protect the environment and pass on to the youth the values of her rich culture.