Early life

Paa Johnson Langsi was born in Manji Bafut in 1941 to Paa Thomas Chenwi and Mama Akoh Bukari, all of blessed memory. He was the first of two surviving children born to his parents after they had lost several children before his birth. For this reason, he was named Langsi, meaning “playing for time” in the Bafut language, because they were not certain of his own survival.
Unfortunately, his mother died when he was still of tender age. He and his sibling were then brought up in Njibujang by their aunt, Mama Maria Ngum, also of blessed memory.
After adolescence, his father sent him to learn carpentry, a vocation he learned, mastered, and practiced with passion. He worked in Ashong and Guzang in Batibo Subdivision before later settling at home in Manji Bafut. Paa Langsi became a renowned carpenter in Bafut, and many people can attest to the quality of his work in this field.
Although he did not receive formal education in his youthful age, he worked hard and attended adult classes so he could carry out measurements and estimates in his trade. He understood the value of education deeply, which is why he did all he could to send his younger siblings and especially his children to school, sacrificing all he had to ensure that his children received the best education they could.