Joseph Arthur Ankrah
Joseph Arthur Ankrah | |
---|---|
Chairman of the National Liberation Council | |
In office 24 February 1966 – 2 April 1969 | |
Deputy | John Willie Kofi Harlley[1] |
Preceded by | Kwame Nkrumah (as President of Ghana) |
Succeeded by | Akwasi Afrifa |
4th Chairperson of the Organisation of African Unity | |
In office 24 February 1966 – 5 November 1966 | |
Preceded by | Kwame Nkrumah |
Succeeded by | Haile Selassie |
Personal details | |
Born | 18 August 1915 Lieutenant General |
Commands | Chief of the Defence Staff |
Awards | Military cross |
Appointed after coup d'état of 24 February 1966 | |
Joseph Arthur Ankrah (18 August 1915 – 25 November 1992) was a Ghanaian army general who was head of state of Ghana from 1966 to 1969 as Chairman of the National Liberation Council. He was Ghana's first military head of state. Ankrah also served as Chairperson of the Organisation of African Unity from 24 February 1966 to 5 November 1966. Previously, Ankrah was appointed the first commander of the Ghana Army in 1961.
Early life
Joseph Arthur Ankrah was born on 18 August 1915 in
Ankrah began his schooling in 1921 at the Wesleyan Methodist School in Accra, where he was nicknamed 'Ankrah Patapaa' for his "forcefulness in arguments and always playing leadership role among his mates".
Military career
Ankrah joined the
With great common sense, maturity and tact, this officer handled a delicate situation which otherwise would have created grave consequences in Leopoldville and many parts of the Congo. Colonel Ankrah, with complete disregard for his own life, disarmed an
Armée Nationale Congolaise (ANC) soldier who, with a loaded sten machine carbine, attempted to shoot Mr. Lumumba. He carried the Prime Minister to safety in a vehicle which was fired on by ANC ambushers. Had it not been for the quick and bold action of Colonel Ankrah at the risk of his life, Mr. Lumumba's life would have been taken with untold consequences at that time.[2]
After his experience in the Congo, he was promoted
Politics
Ankrah became the head of the National Investment Bank after leaving the army. However, he became the Head of state and Chairman of the National Liberation Council after the 24 February 1966 coup.[5] In January 1967, he mediated between the warring factions of the Nigerian Civil War in Biafra.[6][7][8] He was forced to resign as Chairman of the
Sports
Ankrah served as the first ever President of the Council of Patrons of Accra Hearts of Oak S.C. and steered the football club for a long period.
Family
In 1965 he married his third wife, Mildred Christina Akosiwor Fugar (12 June 1938 – 9 June 2005), in Accra.[10] His son also went to Accra Academy. He had a daughter called Jackie Ankrah who is a broadcaster, songwriter and musician.[11][12] He had several wives and 18 children.[13]
See also
References
- ^ Chiefs of State and Cabinet members of foreign governments / National Foreign Assessment Center. 1966Sep-Dec. 2003.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Former Leaders - Profiles:Lt-Gen Joeseph Arthur Ankrah". Official Website of The Osu Castle, seat of Ghana government. Ghana government. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 21 March 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Lt. General Joseph A. Ankrah". Ghanaweb.com - Famous Ghanaians:Heads of state. Ghana Home Page. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2007.
- ^ ISBN 9988809786.
- ^ a b Jon Kraus (April 1966). "Ghana Without Nkrumah - The Men in Charge". Africa Report. Koranteng Ofosu-Amaah. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2007.
- ^ Donita Brown. "Nigeria-Biafra Civil War - Aburi Accord, Ghana -Transcript from the tape recordings of the Aburi Meeting, 5-7 January, 1967". Nigeria-Biafra Civil War. Philip Emeagwali. Archived from the original on 9 April 2007. Retrieved 21 March 2007.
- ^ Kirk-Greene, A. H. M. (1971). Crisis and Conflict in Nigeria January 1966 – July 1967 (Vol. 1). A documentary sourcebook 1966-1970. London: Oxford University Press.
- ^ Max Siollun. "ON ABURI WE STAND: NO NEED FOR A SOVEREIGN NATIONAL CONFERENCE". Niger Delta Congress. Archived from the original on 16 November 2006. Retrieved 21 March 2007.
- ^ "Our Leaders-LT. GENERAL JOSEPH A. ANKRAH". Official Website for the 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations of Ghana. Ghana Government-(Ghana@50). Archived from the original on 8 February 2007. Retrieved 21 March 2007.
- ^ "Wives of Military Rulers". GHANA, 50YRS OF NATIONHOOD. Graphic Communications Group Limited. 28 February 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 21 March 2007.
- ^ Lartey, Winifred (22 November 2022). "Ghanaians don't appreciate my father enough, says Jackie Ankrah". Asaase Radio. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ "Broadcaster, singer and songwriter Jackie Ankrah takes her turn on Whats Cooking with Apiorkor". Modern Ghana. 26 June 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ "Although my father overthrew Nkrumah, he still deserves some praise – Jackie Ankrah". GhanaWeb. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2022.