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
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George Ayittey (left) and Kwame Anthony Appiah (right)
- 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
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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
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
editDancers and dance instructors
editBusiness
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Adam Afriyie (left) and Lord Paul Boateng (right)
- 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
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- 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
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
editFilm actors and directors
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- 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
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- 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
- Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah, journalist
Military figures
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- 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
- 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
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- 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
- 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
- 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
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- 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
- 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
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- 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
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- 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
- Wiyala
- Rocky Dawuni
- Black Sherif
- Stevie Wonder
Gospel artists
editInformation and communications technology
editActivists
editInventors and innovators
editOthers
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
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References
edit- ^ "Dr. (Mrs). Beatrice Wiafe Addai – MEALS4NCDs Project". Retrieved 2020-10-18.