Nana Obosomfoɔ Yaw Mensa a.k.a. Ayiso was born in 1954 in Takyiman, Brong Ahafo region of Ghana West Africa. He was the third of nine sons to the parents of Nana Okomfoɔ Adwoa Akumsa also known as Asabea, who was a very important Bono ɔkɔmfoɔ and Nana Kwame Adduo a Bono healer. Nana Mensa started his schooling at Takyiman Methodist School and completed it at Kyekyewere local council middle school in Ashanti region. After school Nana had job at Accra Ghana National Trading Company (GNTC) as salesman for three years and then moved back home to support his mother and practice akɔm (traditional religion and healing). Nana was instructed in ɔkɔm drumming skills and over time he became an excellent drummer and was awarded many prizes by the traditional Authority.