List of Ghanaians
Appearance
This list of notable Ghanaians includes people who were born in Ghana and people who are of Ghanaian ancestry, who are significantly notable for their life and/or work.
University academics
[edit]- William Emmanuel Abraham, philosopher, author, and vice-chancellor of the University of Ghana
- Kwasi Kwarfo Adarkwa, academician and the immediate past vice chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
- James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey, intellectual, missionary, and teacher
- Francis Allotey, mathematical physicist
- Joseph Amenowode, academic and politician
- Kwesi Akwansah Andam, author, civil engineer and former vice chancellor of KNUST
- Aba Andam, nuclear physicist, lecturer at KNUST
- Kwame Anthony Appiah, philosopher and novelist
- George Ayittey, economist and author
- Robert Patrick Baffour, academic, mechanical engineer and first vice chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
- Nicholas T. Clerk, academic, administrator and Presbyterian minister
- George C. Clerk, botanist
- Philip Gbeho, teacher, musician, composer of Ghana national anthem
- Akua Kuenyehia, lawyer, judge, former first vice president of the International Criminal Court, former dean, Faculty of Law University of Ghana
- Fred McBagonluri, academic, author and inventor
- Daniel Asua Wubah, academic, president of Millersville University
- Freddy Borketey
- Nathaniel Boso, academic, corporate, and international marketing strategist
Arts
[edit]Sculpture and painting
[edit]- Bright Tetteh Ackwerh, sculptor
- Eric Adjetey Anang, sculptor
- Ben Agbee, artist
- Kwame Akoto-Bamfo, sculptor
- El Anatsui, sculptor
- Serge Attukwei Clottey, artist
- Nana Oforiatta Ayim, art historian, curator, filmmaker, writer
- James Cudjoe, painter
- Godfried Donkor, painter and mixed-media artist
- Kimathi Donkor, painter
- Ablade Glover, painter
- Wiz Kudowor, artist
- Theodosia Okoh, artist, designer of Ghana's flag
- Owusu-Ankomah, painter
- Rikki Wemega-Kwawu, artist
- Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, painter
- Amon Kotei, artist, designer of Ghana’s Coat of Arms
Architecture
[edit]- David Adjaye, architect
- Theodore S. Clerk, urban planner and first Ghanaian professionally certified architect
- Elsie Owusu, founding chair of the Society of Black Architects
- Harry Sawyerr, architect
Fashion
[edit]- Joyce Ababio, fashion designer/educationist
- Prisca Abah
- Virgil Abloh, fashion designer
- Adwoa Aboah, supermodel
- Nana Akua Addo
- Hilda Akua, model
- Kofi Ansah, fashion designer
- Aisha Ayensu
- Ozwald Boateng, fashion designer
- Joe Casely-Hayford, fashion designer
- Edward Enninful, editor of British Vogue magazine
- Akpene Diata Hoggar
- Claudia Lumor, fashion magazine publisher and fashion show producer
- Charlotte Mensah
- Ruth Quarshie
- Samata, formerly known as Samata Angel, fashion designer and author
- Sam Sarpong, supermodel
- Kate Tachie-Menson
- Beatrice Bee Arthur, fashion designer
Photography
[edit]Dancers and dance instructors
[edit]Business
[edit]- Adam Afriyie, British Conservative Party politician and multimillionaire
- George Afriyie, businessman and football administrator
- Roland Agambire
- Prince Kofi Amoabeng
- Abena Amoah
- K. Y. Amoako, international civil servant for the United Nations and businessman
- Anne Amuzu
- Joyce Aryee, businesswoman and politician
- Yvette Adounvo Atekpe
- Georgette Barnes Sakyi-Addo, businesswoman
- Thomas Edward Barter, 17th-century Cape Coast trader
- Marufatu Abiola Bawuah
- Lord Paul Boateng, British Labour Party politician, member of House of Lords, solicitor
- Jesse Edem Cleverson, innovator
- Bernice Dapaah
- Dzigbordi Dosoo
- Sam E Jonah, businessman
- Patricia Obo-Nai
- Kate Quartey-Papafio, businesswoman
- J. K. Siaw
- Winnifred Selby
- Akua Sarpong-Ayisa
- Elizabeth Wyns-Dogbe
- Adowarim Lugu Zuri
Other educators
[edit]- Stephen Adei, educationist, writer, economist and motivational speaker
- Gottlieb A. Adom, teacher, journalist and church minister
- James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey, intellectual, missionary, and teacher
- Richard Appiah Akoto, educationalist
- Francis Allotey, mathematical physicist
- Kofi Annan, diplomat and chancellor of the University of Ghana
- Ernest Aryeetey
- Kofi Awoonor, professor and diplomat
- Patrick Awuah, founder and president of Ashesi University
- Edward S. Ayensu, economist, scientist and former chairman of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
- George Ayittey, economist, author, professor and president of the Free Africa Foundation
- Kwesi Botchwey, professor and lawyer
- Beattie Casely-Hayford, engineer
- Gus Casely-Hayford, curator and cultural historian
- Alexander Worthy Clerk, missionary and teacher
- Carl Henry Clerk, teacher and church minister
- Jane E. Clerk, teacher and education administrator
- Nicholas Timothy Clerk, missionary and clergyman
- John Atta Mills, former president of the Fourth Republic of Ghana; university professor of law
- Mavis Owureku-Asare
- Priscilla Kolibea Mante
- Marian Asantewah Nkansah
- Percy Sackey
Judiciary
[edit]- Mabel Agyemang, Chief Justice Supreme Court of The Gambia
- Daniel Francis Annan, judge
- Joyce Bamford-Addo, judge and barrister
- Amanda Akuokor Clinton
- Vincent Cyril Richard Arthur Charles Crabbe
- Samuel Azu Crabbe
- Jones Victor Mawulorm Dotse
- Cynthia Lamptey
- Thomas Mensah (lawyer), judge and President of Permanent Court of Arbitration
- Sandra Opoku
- Emmanuel Charles Quist, barrister and judge, first African Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
- Georgina Theodora Wood, first female Chief Justice of Ghana
Diplomats
[edit]- Elizabeth Adjei
- K. B. Asante
- Elsie Addo Awadzi
- Paul Boateng
- Mohammed Ibn Chambas
- Pauline M. Clerk
- Anita Kiki Gbeho
- Akua Kuenyehia
- Amon Nikoi
- Charlotte Osei
- Nathan Quao
- Genevive Delali Tsegah
Film actors and directors
[edit]- Ama Abebrese
- Leila Djansi
- Kofi Adjorlolo
- Freema Agyeman, actress
- John Akomfrah, film director and screenwriter
- Amma Asante, Ghanaian-British film writer and director
- Jackie Aygemang, actress
- Mac Jordan Amartey
- Chris Attoh, actor
- Yaba Badoe, filmmaker and writer
- Clara Amoateng Benson
- Thelma Buabeng
- Nadia Buhari, actress
- Akosua Busia, actress
- Paul Danquah, Ghanaian-British actor
- Michael Dapaah
- David Dontoh
- Joselyn Dumas, actress
- John Dumelo
- Idris Elba, actor
- Nii Odartei Evans, actor, producer, voiceover artist
- Boris Kodjoe, actor
- Dayan Kodua
- Anita Kuma
- Peter Mensah, actor
- Majid Michel, actor
- Yvonne Nelson, actress
- Sika Osei
- Nii Kwate Owoo
- Kwame Owusu Ansah
- Kwesi Owusu
- Hugh Quarshie, actor
- Socrate Safo, director
- Bob Santo
- Hailliote Sumney
- Van Vicker, actor
- Zynnell Zuh
Comedians
[edit]- Kofi Adu (Agya Koo), actor and comedian
- Michael Blackson, comedian
- Abusuapanin Judas, actor and comedian
- Jacinta Ocansey, comedian
- Bob Santo, actor and comedian
Journalists
[edit]- Emmanuel K. Dogbevi, journalist
- Anas Aremyaw Anas, journalist
- Nana Aba Anamoah, journalist
- Roger A. Agana, journalist
- David Ampofo
- Jemila Abdulai
- Bernard Avle, journalist
- Manasseh Azure, journalist
- Nathaniel Attoh, journalist
- Kweku Baako, Jnr, journalist
- Juliet Bawuah
- Kojo Akoto Boateng, journalist
- Attractive Mustapha, journalist
- Robert Nii Arday Clegg, journalist
- Akua Dansua, journalist
- Ameyaw Debrah, blogger and journalist
- Komla Dumor, journalist
- Cameron Duodu, journalist, broadcaster, writer
- Ekow Eshun, journalist and broadcaster
- Natalie Fort, journalist
- Afua Hirsch, journalist
- Akpene Diata Hoggar, blogger
- Nana Kwadwo Jantuah, journalist
- Isaac Kaledzi, journalist
- Kwami Sefa Kayi, journalist
- Asare Konadu
- Anita Kuma
- Kent Mensah, journalist
- Emma Morrison
- Gamal Nkrumah, journalist, Pan-Africanist and editor
- Samia Nkrumah, journalist
- Pearl Akanya Ofori, journalist
- Edward Oppong Marfo, journalist
- Brigitte Sossou Perenyi
- Jessica Opare Saforo
- Kwaku Sakyi-Addo, journalist
- Seth J. Bokpe, journalist
- Seth Kwame Boateng, journalist
- Edward Adeti, investigative journalist
- Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah, journalist
Military figures
[edit]- Akwasi Afrifa, soldier and former politician and head of state of Ghana
- Joseph Arthur Ankrah, soldier and second head of state of Ghana
- David Anumle Hansen, Ghana Navy Chief of Naval Staff
- Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, lieutenant general; commissioned as a lieutenant in 1954 and seconded to the British army on the Rhine
- Rosamond Asiamah Nkansah (born 1930), first Ghanaian policewoman
- Jerry Rawlings, former president of the Republic of Ghana and Ghana Air Force fighter pilot
Physicians and surgeons
[edit]- Oblempong Nii Kojo Ababio V, dental surgeon and traditional ruler
- Nancy Abu-Bonsrah, neurosurgeon
- Beatrice Wiafe Addai, medical officer and surgeon[1]
- Kwame Addo-Kufuor, medical doctor
- Raphael Armattoe, doctor, poet, politician
- E. A. Badoe
- John Bilson
- Kofi Boahene
- Peter Bossman, doctor
- Alexander Adu Clerk, sleep medicine specialist and psychiatrist
- Matilda J. Clerk, physician
- Charles Odamtten Easmon, surgeon
- Emmanuel Evans-Anfom, physician and academic
- Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, cardiothoracic surgeon
- Ernest James Hayford
- Susan Gyankorama De-Graft Johnson
- Emmanuel A. Kissi
- Jacob Kwakye-Maafo, physician and surgeon
- Edward Mahama
- Frederick Nanka-Bruce
- David Ofori-Adjei
- Susan Ofori-Atta
- Benjamin Quartey-Papafio, first Ghanaian to obtain an MD degree
- Bernard Ribeiro, Baron Ribeiro, surgeon and former president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
- Fred T. Sai, academic and family health physician
- Ellen Boakye
- Afua Adwo Jectey Hesse
Politics
[edit]- Felicia Adjei
- Justice Samuel Adjei
- Emelia Arthur
- San Nasamu Asabigi
- Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah Adjei
- Akwasi Afrifa, former president
- Adam Afriyie, British Conservative Party politician and businessman
- Ebenezer Ako-Adjei, nationalist politician and one of The Big Six
- Edward Akufo-Addo, former president and one of The Big Six
- Nana Akufo-Addo, current president of the Republic of Ghana
- Reginald Reynolds Amponsah
- Joseph Arthur Ankrah, former president
- Kofi Annan, 7th UN Secretary-General
- Kojo Asamoa-Caesar, member, Democratic Party
- William Ofori Atta, politician, founding member of the United Gold Coast Convention, one of The Big Six
- Prosper Douglas Bani, former chief of staff
- Albert Adu Boahen
- Lucy Awuni Mbun
- Lord Paul Boateng, British Labour Party politician, member of House of Lords, solicitor, barrister and businessman
- Peter Bossman, Slovenian politician
- Ama Bame Busia
- Kofi Abrefa Busia, prime minister and author
- J. B. Danquah, statesman, pan-Africanist, scholar, historian and one of The Big Six
- Obuobia Darko-Opoku
- Joyce Adwoa Akoh Dei
- James Victor Gbeho, diplomat
- J. E. Casely Hayford, journalist, author, lawyer, educator, and politician
- Abu Kasanbata
- John Kufuor, former president of Ghana, Global Ambassador against Hunger for UN World Food Programme (WFP)
- Ken Kwaku (born 1946), corporate governance expert
- Kwasi Kwarteng, British Conservative Party politician
- Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, MP and minister
- Ambrose Dery, MP and minister
- Haruna Iddrisu, MP and minister
- Alan John Kyerematen
- John Dramani Mahama
- John Atta Mills, former president of the Republic of Ghana
- Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak
- Janet Nabla
- Paa Kwesi Nduom
- Kwame Nkrumah, founder of Pan-Africanism, leader of Ghana and its predecessor state, the Gold Coast and one of The Big Six
- Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey, politician, one of the founders and leaders of the United Gold Coast Convention and one of The Big Six
- Jacob Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey
- Nii Amaa Ollennu, chairman of the Presidential Commission and acting president of Ghana during the Second Republic from 7 August 1970 to 31 August 1970
- Aaron Mike Oquaye
- Victor Owusu
- Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, former MP and finance minister
- Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, politician, journalist
- Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie
- K. Abaka-Quansah, former MP
- Naana Eyiah Quansah
- Abena Durowaa Mensah
- Cynthia Mamle Morrison
- Tina Gifty Naa Ayele Mensah
- Jerry Rawlings, former president
- Charles Wereko-Brobby
- Justina Owusu-Banahene, Bono regional minister
Sports
[edit]- Osumanu Adama, world champion boxer
- Azume Adams
- Rev Osei Kofi
- Joseph Addai, American football player
- Freddy Adu, footballer
- Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, sprinter
- Vida Anim, athlete
- Ezekiel Ansah, American football player
- Stephen Appiah, footballer, former captain of The Black Stars
- Kwadwo Asamoah, former footballer
- Anita Asante, English footballer
- André Ayew, footballer
- Jordan Ayew, footballer, brother of André Ayew
- Mario Balotelli, footballer
- Ben Bentil (born 1995), Ghanaian basketball player for Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Jérôme Boateng, footballer
- Kwame Ayew
- Kevin-Prince Boateng, footballer
- Joshua Clottey, former world champion boxer
- Marcel Desailly, former French footballer, captain of the France national football team and FIFA World Cup winner
- Michael Essien, footballer
- Ignisious Gaisah, athlete
- Kim Grant, footballer
- Asamoah Gyan, footballer
- Kofi Kingston, professional wrestler
- Nana Yaw Konadu, world champion boxer
- John Mensah, footballer
- Pops Mensah-Bonsu, basketball player
- Azumah Nelson, world champion boxer
- Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, skier
- John Paintsil, footballer
- Abedi Pele, footballer
- Clement Quartey, olympic boxing silver medalist
- Ike Quartey, former world champion boxer
- Danny Welbeck, footballer
- Arthur Wharton, the first black professional association football player in the world
- Rachel Yankey, footballer
- Tony Yeboah, footballer
- Thomas Partey, footballer
- Timothy Fosu-Mensah, footballer
- Stephen Appiah, former footballer
- Abdul Baba Rahman, footballer
- Kevin-Prince Boateng
- Charles Asampong Taylor
- Bernard Dong Bortey
- Issac Dogboe, world champion boxer
- Vida Opoku
- Lydia Mato
- Juliana Kakraba
- Winnifred Ntumi
- Rose Amoanimaa Yeboah
- Abigail Kwarteng
- Habiba Atta Forson
- Kofi Sarkodie
Media
[edit]- Dzifa Affainie
- Nana Aba Anamoah, media personality
- Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong, media personality and entrepreneur
- Anas Aremeyaw Anas
- Roger A. Agana
- Scofray Nana Yaw Yeboah, Golden City Business Magazine
- Terry Baddoo, journalist and television news presenter
- Margaret Busby, editor and publisher, founder of Allison & Busby
- Ameyaw Debrah, blogger, publisher celebrity blogger
- Marcel Desailly, pundit and former footballer
- Afua Hirsch, journalist and television news presenter
- Ras Kwame, DJ and radio presenter
- Ras Mubarak, media consultant
- Deborah Owusu-Bonsu, television presenter
- Amoaning Samuel, blogger and radio personality
- June Sarpong, television presenter
- Oral Ofori, digital storyteller
- Mahama Shaibu
- Alhassan Suhuyini, broadcast journalist
- Reggie Yates, television presenter
Writers and poets
[edit]- Ama Ata Aidoo, writer
- Mohammed Naseehu Ali, writer and musician
- Kofi Anyidoho, poet and academic
- Ayi Kwei Armah, novelist and social critic
- Ayesha Harruna Attah, writer
- Kofi Awoonor, poet and academic
- J. Benibengor Blay
- William Boyd, novelist and screenwriter (born in Accra)
- Roseanne A. Brown, fantasy and Young adult fiction novelist
- Mabel Dove Danquah, journalist, political activist and creative writer
- Amma Darko, novelist
- Kwame Dawes, poet, editor and critic
- Joe de Graft, playwright and dramatist
- Amu Djoleto, poet and educator
- W. E. B. Du Bois, author, editor, sociologist, historian, civil rights activist and Pan-Africanist
- Kodwo Eshun, writer, theorist and filmmaker
- Yaa Gyasi, novelist
- Kojo Laing, novelist
- Lesley Lokko, novelist and architect
- Atukwei Okai, poet, cultural activist and academic
- Francis Ernest Kobina Parkes, poet
- Nii Parkes, author, publisher and social commentator
- Taiye Selasi
- Efua Sutherland, playwright, poet and dramatist
- Empi Baryeh
- Portia Dery
- Nana Sandy Achampong, novelist, poet and academic
Artists
[edit]- Akosua Agyapong
- Kofi Owusu Dua Anto
- Kojo Antwi
- Kojo Funds
- Becca
- Lethal Bizzle
- Adeline Ama Buabeng, actress and storyteller
- C-Real
- Castro
- A. B. Crentsil
- Rocky Dawuni
- Amakye Dede
- Donae'o
- Bisa Kdei
- Samini
- E.L
- Efya
- Fuse ODG
- Kofi Ghanaba
- Eshun
- Jay Ghartey
- Sherifa Gunu
- Joey B
- Kesse
- Amerado
- Kofi Kinaata
- Pappy Kojo
- Medikal
- Daddy Lumba
- Nayaah
- Agya Koo Nimo
- Nii Okai
- Osibisa
- Dizzee Rascal
- Raye
- Reggie Rockstone
- Esther Smith
- Stonebwoy
- Stormzy
- Sway
- Tempa T
- Tricky (musician)
- Shatta Wale
- Ebony Reigns
- Wendy Shay
- R2Bees
- Sarkodie
- Kuami Eugene
- Kwesi Arthur
- KiDi
- Darkovibes
- Ebony
- Wan-O
- Wiyala
- Rocky Dawuni
- Black Sherif
- Stevie Wonder
Gospel artists
[edit]Information and communications technology
[edit]Activists
[edit]Inventors and innovators
[edit]- Herman Chinery-Hesse
- Thomas Mensah
- Ave Kludze
- Bright Simons
- Fred McBagonluri
- Kojo Sarfo Kantanka
- Alexander Anim-Mensah
Others
[edit]- Harriet Bruce-Annan (born 1965), humanitarian
- Maudlyn Akosua Awuku, women's rights advocate
- Efua Asibon
- Ama Hemmah
- Nana Yaw Nkrumah, record producer and sound engineer
- Felicia Edem Attipoe
- Eva Mends, economist
- Ruth Ama Gyan-Darkwa
- DJ Zel
- Molly Germaine Prempeh
- John Collins, UK born-Ghanaian guitarist, harmonica player and percussionist
- Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Auditor-General of Ghana
- Scofray Nana Yaw Yeboah, transformational coach, mBIT Master Coach, corporate trainer, consultant, author, and columnist.
See also
[edit]- Ghanaian Americans
- Ghanaians in the United Kingdom
- Gold Coast Euro-Africans
- White Ghanaian
- List of historical Ghanaian traditional rulers
- List of Ghanaian actors
- List of Ghanaian filmmakers
- List of Ghanaian musicians
- List of writers from Ghana
References
[edit]- ^ "Dr. (Mrs). Beatrice Wiafe Addai – MEALS4NCDs Project". Retrieved 2020-10-18.