Meet the Multitasking African King who Works as a Mechanic in Germany and Rules His People Via Skype and Phone Calls

King Cephas Bansah

Much has been made of the fact that Prince William is able to balance a job as an air ambulance pilot with his Royal duties and parenthood. And Céphas Bansah is a man that can relate.

The African chief is well used to swapping his traditional royal finery for oily overalls.

He holds down a job as a full-time mechanic while helping to govern more than two million people in Ghana and Togo.



But the major difference between Céphas Bansah and his royal counterpart in Britain is that he has to conduct most of his affairs by Skype. Although Chief Togbe Ngoryifia Cephas Kosi Bansah grew up in Ghana he moved to Germany in 1970.


Having gained full citizenship and setting up his own garage in Ludwigshafen he didn’t ascend to the throne until 1987 – and for the strangest of reasons.

Although the 67-year-old wasn’t directly next in line for the throne through birth right, he was named successor ahead of his father and brother because they are both left handed.

He now lives in Ludwigshafen, Germany, with his wife Gabriele Bansah, 57 and his two children Carlo and Katharina, continuing his job as a mechanic and his role as chief.

His kingdom, Gbi in Eastern Ghana on the border of Togo, consists of more than two million people. And although he visits up to eight times a year, he uses Skype to help govern his people.

In his role as chief also works on a number of aid projects including building schools and is currently raising money to build a women’s prison.

To fund his aid projects, Céphas also sells his own beer, called Akosombo – even though he never drinks alcohol himself. German photographer Christina Czybik spent the day with the king at his home and managed to capture a fascinating insight into his life.

Christina said: ‘The mix of cultures is an interesting one. Bansah told me that the people in Ghana are very religious.

‘They are mostly Christian, but a lot are also Voodoo. But not in a bad way.

‘King Bansah has a small Voodoo shrine in his living room with a small handmade sign that reads ‘Michael Schumacher shall recover soon and fast’