He was born on 26th November, 1870 at Larteh in Akuapen. His father was known as Opanin Theodore Yaw Tweedi, also known locally as Theodore Asong Kwao. He hailed from the Abrade clan of Larteh. His mother was Obaapanin Ama Owiredua also know as Nana Ama Asong.
Samuel Otu' s father who had been converted to christianity through the work of the Basel mission, offered his son for baptism on 17th December, 1870 by Rev. David Asante. The baptism service took place at the Larteh Presbyterian church, three weeks after his birth.
His mother was also an ardent and faithful member of the Basel Mission Church and young Samuel was brought up with strict Basel Mission Principles
The Late Catechist Samuel Otu of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) happened to be the First Martyr of the church (PCG).
Samuel Otu trained as a Catechist of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at the then Akropong Seminary; the present day Akropong College of Education.
During the 1874 War in Ghana (Sir Garnet Wosely War); what was commonly referred to as the Sagrenti War; Samuel Otu was sent on many missionary works in Ashanti and beyond to propagate the gospel.
It was during those times that the Ashantis picked a wrong notion and intelligence that Catechist Samuel Otu was one of those persons feeding the British with information on how to conquer the Ashantis.
Samuel Otu was later posted to Techimantia in the present day Ahafo Region.
The Ashantis having heard this traced and followed the Young Preacher to the town to finish him. A good friend of his (Samuel) gave him a tip off to runaway from the town. Initially, he tried to leave but upon a second thought, Samuel who was initially escaping through Derma town returned to Techimantia to meet "The Men" from Ashanti Kingdom
Finally, "The Men" (Abrafoc) from Ashanti met him Samuel Otu and martyred him. Samuel Otu had a wife and a daughter; the wife upon hearing the sad news collapsed and died whilst his daughter upon hearing her father's death went insane right at the spot.
Before Samuel Otu died, he sought permission to sing one song. His last song is Presbyterian Hymn 282 (PHB 282 - ADANSEFO A WODII KAN NO). In the course of singing this song, he was beheaded.
Samuel Otu comes from LARTEH in the Akuapem North District in the Eastern Region and became the First Ever Martyr of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) who put his life on the line for the spread of the gospel.
Two Church Congreations have been named after him 1. At Larteh (His origin and Hometown) and 2. Techimantia (The exact place where he was martyred in honour of his memory and great impacts in the ministry.
It was such a bitter-sweet incident for me today as I stepped my feet at Larteh for the very first time to mourn with my Youth Minister for Information Honourable Eric Walker Nyarko who lost his mother.
I paid a visit to the Samuel Otu Congregation Chapel in Larteh to remember and reflect on these histories I learned when I was in Class Six (6). Some gave their lives for the sake of the gospel.
#MayGodBeOurHelper,Still
Story by; Mr. Delasi Justice Havi