List of Akan people

Summary

The list of Akan people includes notable individuals of Akan meta-ethnicity and ancestry; the Akan people who are also referred to as (Akan: Akanfo) are a meta-ethnicity and Potou–Tano Kwa ethno-linguistic group that are indigenously located on the Ashantiland peninsula near the equator precisely at the "centre of the Earth".[1]

Academic figures and inventors edit

Academic figures and inventors
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Francis Allotey (1932-08-09)9 August 1932 2 November 2017 (aged 85) Internationally respected mathematical physicist; known for the "Allotey Formalism" which arose from his work on soft X-ray spectroscopy
Nat Quansah Doctorate in philosophy; was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize
Lawrence Henry Yaw Ofosu-Appiah (1920-03-18)18 March 1920 1 June 1990(1990-06-01) (aged 70) Academic; director of the Encyclopedia Africana
Kwame Anthony Appiah (1954-05-08)8 May 1954 Philosopher, cultural theorist, and novelist whose interests include political and moral theory, the philosophy of language and mind, and African intellectual history
Patrick Awuah, Jr. c. 1965 (age 58–59) Program Manager for Microsoft; spearheaded the development of dial-up internetworking technologies at Microsoft
Marcus Garvey (1887-08-17)17 August 1887 10 June 1940(1940-06-10) (aged 52) Academic publisher, journalist, and orator[2][3] [4]
Kofi Abrefa Busia (1913-07-11)11 July 1913 28 August 1978(1978-08-28) (aged 65) Academic and politician; studied at University College, Oxford; took BA (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (MA) and a DPhil in social anthropology[5] [5]
J. B. Danquah c. December 1895 4 February 1965 (aged 69–70) Scholar, historian, philosopher and lawyer; studied at University of London;[6] wrote The Akan Doctrine of God (1944)[7] [6]
[7]
Kwame Nkrumah (1909-09-21)21 September 1909 27 April 1972(1972-04-27) (aged 62) Lecturer; influential 20th-century advocate of Pan-Africanism; awarded the Lenin Peace Prize[8] [8]
Simone Gbagbo (1949-06-20)20 June 1949 Historian, politician and former First Lady of Ivory Coast; cofounded the Ivorian Popular Front with her husband, former President Laurent Gbagbo, in 1982 [9]

Architects and designers edit

Architects and designers
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
David Adjaye c. September 1966 (age 57) Architect; received OBE; selected to design the $500 million National Museum of African American History and Culture, part of the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., planned to open in 2015[10] [10]
 
Ozwald Boateng
Ozwald Boateng (1967-02-28)28 February 1967 Fashion designer; received OBE; known for his trademark twist on classic tailoring and bespoke style; CEO of the fashion design label Ozwald Boateng[11] [11]
Adrien Sauvage (1983-05-30)30 May 1983 Fashion designer, director and photographer; CEO of the fashion design label House A. Sauvage[12] [12]

Businesspersons and entrepreneurs edit

Businesspersons and entrepreneurs
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Paul Cuffee (1759-01-17)17 January 1759 9 September 1817(1817-09-09) (aged 58) Quaker and businessman; built a lucrative shipping empire[13][14][15] [13]
[14]
[15]
Paa Kwesi Nduom (1953-02-15)15 February 1953 Businessman, business consultant and politician; received Bachelor of Arts (Economics) degree, Master's degree in Management and PhD (Service Delivery Systems) at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee[16] [16]
Adam Afriyie (1965-08-04)4 August 1965 Businessman and politician; self-made multi-millionaire; worth an estimated £100 million (£100,000,000+);[17] Afriyie is chairman of Connect Support Services, an IT support company;[17] owned two-thirds of DeHavilland;[17] regional finalist in the 2003 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards;[17] Governor of the Museum of London; trustee of the Museum in Docklands; a director of Policy Exchange[17] [17]
Sam E. Jonah (1949-11-19)19 November 1949 Businessman; received KBE; Executive chairman of Jonah Capital, equity fund; previously Corporate President of AngloGold Ashanti[18] [18]
Paul Boateng (1951-06-14)14 June 1951 Businessman and Lord; currently a non-executive Director of Aegis Defence Services, a private military company, private security company, and military and risk management company[19][20] [19]
[20]
Dentaa Amoateng c. 1983 (age 40–41) Businesswoman, award-winning entrepreneur, general manager and sports agent[21] [21]
Menaye Donkor (1981-03-20)20 March 1981 Businesswoman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist;[22] received BBA, BBusSci, MBA, and MMR degrees in marketing and business marketing at York University[23] [23]
[22]

Economists and bankers edit

Economists and bankers
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Kwesi Nyantakyi Banker, lawyer and football administrator[24][25] [24]
[25]
 
Kofi Annan
Kwesi Amissah-Arthur (1951-04-29)29 April 1951 Economist, academician and politician
Kofi Annan (1938-04-08)8 April 1938 18 August 2018 Economist, diplomat, Secretary-General of the United Nations and Nobel laureate[26] [26]
Edward S. Ayensu Economist and scientist; studied the biological sciences at the University of London; formerly Director and Senior Scientist at the Smithsonian Institution;[27] international development advisor on science, technology and economic development; Member of the Board of Trustees of the UN University for Peace; member of the Advisory Board of the Sustainable Forestry Management Limited;[28] has held several important positions globally, such as Chairman of the Inspection Panel of the World Bank and Secretary-General of the International Union of Biological Sciences; founding Chairman of the African Biosciences Network;[28] wrote Ashanti Gold (1997)[27] [27]
[28]
John Atta Mills (1944-07-21)21 July 1944 24 July 2012(2012-07-24) (aged 68) Economist, tax advisor and law professor; received LLM at London School of Economics and Political Science[29] [29]
Charles Konan Banny (1942-11-11)11 November 1942 Economist, banker, former governor of the Central Bank of West African States, aka BCEAO; former prime minister of Ivory Coast; former candidate for the 2015 presidential election [30]
[31]
[32]

Folklore edit

Folklore
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Okomfo Anokye c. 1635 c. 1717 (aged 81–82) Legendary Akan figure best known as the wizard featured in the Akan Kingdom of Ashanti; priest, statesman and lawgiver; occupies a Merlin-like position in Akan history;[33] co-founder of the Akan Kingdom of Ashanti and helped establish its constitution, laws, and customs[33] [33]
 
Okomfo Anokye

Judges and lawyers edit

Judges and lawyers
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Joyce Bamford-Addo (1937-03-26)26 March 1937 Speaker and Supreme Court Judge[34][35] [34]
[35]
Edward Akufo-Addo (1906-06-26)26 June 1906 17 July 1979(1979-07-17) (aged 73) Lawyer, chief justice and politician; studied mathematics, politics and philosophy at St Peter's College, Oxford[36] [36]
Nana Akufo-Addo (1944-03-29)29 March 1944 Lawyer and economist with international law firm Coudert Brothers; studied at City Law School (Inns of Court School of Law)[37] [37]
John Kufuor (1938-12-08)8 December 1938 Lawyer and businessman; studied at Prempeh College, Lincoln's Inn, Exeter College, and University of Oxford;[38] CEO of Kufuor Foundation[38] [38]
John Banks Elliott (1917-02-09)February 9, 1917 18 July 2018(2018-07-18) (aged 101) Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary[39][40][41] [39]
[40]

Media edit

Actors and actresses edit

Actors and actresses
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Vanessa L. Williams (1963-03-18)18 March 1963 [42]
Cynthia Addai-Robinson Actress, Colombiana and in Star Trek Into Darkness [43]
Peter Mensah (1959-08-27)27 August 1959 Actor, Avatar, 300, Hidalgo, Tears of the Sun, Jason X, Harvard Man, Bless the Child and The Incredible Hulk [44]
Boris Kodjoe (1973-03-08)8 March 1973 Actor, Resident Evil: Afterlife and Resident Evil: Retribution [45]
Idris Elba (1972-09-06)6 September 1972 Actor, Prometheus, Pacific Rim and Thor: The Dark World
Majid Michel (1980-09-22)22 September 1980
Nadia Buari (1982-11-21)21 November 1982
Jackie Appiah (1983-12-05)5 December 1983 Award-winning actress of the Africa Movie Academy Awards
Van Vicker (1977-08-01)1 August 1977
Freema Agyeman (1979-03-20)20 March 1979
Yvonne Nelson (1985-11-12)12 November 1985
Juliet Ibrahim Safo (1986-03-03)3 March 1986
Holly Quin-Ankrah c. 1987 (age 36–37)
Adjoa Andoh (1963-01-14)14 January 1963

Authors and novelists edit

Authors and novelists
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
J. E. Casely Hayford (1866-09-29)29 September 1866 11 August 1930(1930-08-11) (aged 63) Author, editor, journalist, lawyer, educator, and politician; awarded MBE[46] [46]
 
J. E. Casely Hayford
Anton Wilhelm Amo c. 1703 c. 1759 (aged 55–56) Philosopher, novelist, and educator at the universities of Halle and Jena; was treated as a member of the family of Anthony Ulrich, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel; first African known to have attended a European university[47] [47]
Ottobah Cugoano[dubious ] c. 1757 c. 1791 (aged 33–34) Abolitionist, philosopher, and author[48] [48]

Filmmakers edit

Filmmakers
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Shirley Frimpong-Manso c. 1977 (age 46–47) Film director, screenwriter, and film producer; founder and CEO of the film, television, and advertising production company Sparrow Productions;[49] received the "Best Director" at the 2010 Africa Movie Academy Awards[50] [49]
[50]
Leila Djansi (1981-07-17)17 July 1981 Filmmaker; was awarded a 2009 WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival Platinum Award, received three 2010 Africa Movie Academy Awards and was nominated for 11 Africa Movie Academy Awards for the film Sinking Sands; in 2011, was presented with the Britannia Awards (BAFTA/LA) Pan African Film Festival Choice Award[51] [51]
Lydia Forson c. 1984 (age 39–40) Award winning screenwriter, film producer and actress; received the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Awards for "Best Actress in a Leading Role" in 2010[52] [52]
Akissi Delta (1960-03-05)5 March 1960 Actress; producer of Ma famille (My family), one of the most successful TV series in French-speaking Africa over the last decade [53]
[54]
[55]

Journalists edit

Journalists
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas Investigative journalist;[56] famous for utilizing his anonymity as a tool in his investigation arsenal (very few people have seen his face);[57] a multimedia journalist who specializes in print media and documentary; focuses on issues of human rights and anti-corruption in sub-Saharan Africa[56][57] [56]
[57]
 
Samia Yaba Nkrumah
Gamal Nkrumah c. 1959 (age 64–65) Journalist; editor of Al Ahram Weekly newspaper;[58] received his doctorate in political science from the School of Oriental and African Studies;[58] initially worked as a political journalist at Al-Ahram Weekly[58] [58]
Afua Hirsch Journalist, barrister and human rights development worker;[59][60] West Africa correspondent for the newspaper The Guardian[60][61] [59]
[60]
[61]
Samia Yaba Nkrumah (1960-06-23)23 June 1960 Journalist and politician; completed her studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London, where she received her Master's degree[58] [58]
Ron Claiborne (1967-02-28)28 February 1967 journalist and correspondent for ABC News, he is the current "more news reporter" for the weekend edition of Good Morning America[62] [62]

Musicians edit

Musicians
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Rhian Afua Benson (1977-01-10)10 January 1977 Soul and jazz singer and songwriter[63] [63]
Sarkodie (1985-07-10)10 July 1985 Award-winning hiplife and hip hop recording artist, entertainer, and brand ambassador;[64] raps in Akan language;[64] received the BET Awards for "Best International Act Africa" in 2012;[64] considered one of the major proponents of the Azonto genre and dance; has a large fan base in Africa[64] [64]
Bisa Kdei (1986-03-19)March 19, 1986 Afrobeats and highlife musician and record producer;[65][66] [65]
[66]
Efya (1987-04-10)10 April 1987 Award-winning neo soul vocalist, songwriter, and performer[67]
Richie Mensah (1986-05-17)17 May 1986 Award-winning hiplife singer-songwriter, record producer, and record executive of Lynx Entertainment record label[68][69][70] [68]
[69]
[70]
Reggie Rockstone (1964-11-04)4 November 1964 Rapper and pioneer of the hiplife music genre;[71] raps in Akan language;[71] won the Kora Award for the "Best African Video" in 2004[72] [71]
[72]
Fuse ODG c. 1988 (age 35–36) Award-winning musician; smash-hit singles include "Azonto", "Antenna", and "Million Pound Girl"[73][74] [73]
[74]
Meiway (1962-03-17)17 March 1962 Rose to fame in the early 1990s when he created and popularized Zoblazo music; nicknamed Professor Awolowoh or the Genius of Kpalèzou; known for his smash hit "Miss Lolo" from the 2001 album Eternel (700% Zoblazo) [75]
[76]
Kuami Eugene (1997-02-01)1 February 1997 - Ghanaian Highlife and Afrobeats musicican
Ofori Amponsah (1974-03-02)2 March 1974 - Ghanaian Highlife musician, famously known for songs 'Emmanuella' and 'Otoolege'
Gyakie (1999-12-16)16 December 1999 - R&B and afro-fusion singer
Kofi Kinaata (1990-04-15)15 April 1990 - Musician and Songwriter
Daddy Lumba (1964-09-29)29 September 1964 - Legendary Ghanaian musician, widely regarded as on of the best Highlife musicains ever.

Television presenters edit

Television presenters
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Deborah Owusu-Bonsu (1984-08-25)25 August 1984 Television presenter and academic[77][78] [77]
[78]
Ama K. Abebrese (1980-05-03)3 May 1980 Television presenter; won the Africa Movie Academy Award for "Best Actress in a Leading Role" in 2011[79] [79]
Sonia Ibrahim Television presenter[80] [80]
Omenaa Mensah (1979-07-26)26 July 1979 Television presenter, weather forecaster and economist[81] [81]
Reggie Yates (1983-05-31)31 May 1983 Television presenter

Monarchs edit

Monarchs
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Osei Tutu I c. 1660 c. 1717 (aged 56–57) King; credited with founding the great Akan Kingdom of Ashanti[82] [82]
 
Akan Kingdom of Ashanti King Osei Tutu II
Opoku Ware I c. 1700 c. 1750 (aged 49–50) King; credited with being the "empire builder" of the Akan Kingdom of Ashanti during his reign, which lasted from 1720 or as early as 1718[83] [83]
Queen Pokou c. 1750-1760 - Queen; niece of Osei Kofi Tutu I and founder of the Baoule People I[84]
Prempeh I (1870-12-18)18 December 1870 12 May 1931(1931-05-12) (aged 60) King; ruled the Akan Kingdom of Ashanti from 26 March 1888 until 12 May 1931; known for fighting an Akan Kingdom of Ashanti war against Britain in 1893[85] [85]
Prempeh II c. 1892 27 May 1970(1970-05-27) (aged 77–78) King; by name, is in direct succession to King Prempeh I[84] [84]
Opoku Ware II (1919-11-30)30 November 1919 26 February 1999(1999-02-26) (aged 79) King; by name, is in direct succession to King Opoku Ware I[84] [84]
Osei Tutu II (1950-05-06)6 May 1950 King; by name, is in direct succession to the founder of the Akan Kingdom of Ashanti, King Osei Tutu I[84] [84]

Physicians edit

Physicians
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng c. 1950 (age 73–74) Physician and cardiothoracic surgeon; first black African (sub-Saharan Africa) to perform a heart transplant[86] [86]
 
Félix Houphouët-Boigny at the White House in 1962
Kwame Addo-Kufuor (1940-07-14)14 July 1940 Physician and politician; attended UCL Medical School, graduating with a degree in medicine from the University of Cambridge; obtained his post-graduate degree from Middlesex Medical School Hospital[87] [87]
Jacob Kwakye-Maafo c. 1940 (age 83–84) Physician and surgeon specializing in obstetrics and gynaecology[88] [88]
Félix Houphouët-Boigny (1905-10-18)18 October 1905 7 December 1993(1993-12-07) (aged 88) First President of Ivory Coast (1960 to 1993), serving for more than three decades until his death [89]

Models edit

Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Olivia Yacé (1998-01-08)8 January 1998 Miss Côte d'Ivoire 2021 and Second runner-up Miss World 2021

Sports edit

American footballers edit

American footballers
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Ebenezer Ekuban (1976-05-29)29 May 1976 Defensive end; originally drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round (20th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft, before going to play for the Cleveland Browns and the Denver Broncos in the National Football League (NFL)[90][91][92] [90]
[91]
[92]
Ezekiel Ansah (1989-05-29)29 May 1989 Defensive end for the Detroit Lions in the National Football League (NFL); drafted by the Detroit Lions in the first round (5th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft[93][94][95][96] [93]
[94]
[95]
[96]
Jon Asamoah (1988-07-21)21 July 1988 Offensive guard for the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League (NFL); considered one of the top interior offensive linemen for the 2010 NFL Draft[97][98] [97]
[98]
Charlie Peprah (1983-02-24)24 February 1983 Safety; drafted by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft; played for the Green Bay Packers 2006–2008, the Atlanta Falcons in 2009, the Green Bay Packers again 2010–2011, and the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL)[99][100] [99]
[100]
Nyan Boateng (1987-02-23)23 February 1987 Wide receiver formally of the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL)[101] [101]
Joseph Addai (1983-05-03)3 May 1983 Running back; selected in the first round (30th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts; played for the Colts for six seasons in the NFL; played for the New England Patriots in the NFL[102] [102]
Clint Sintim (1986-02-21)21 February 1986 Linebacker; drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft in the NFL[103] [103]
[104]
[105]

Canadian footballers edit

Skiers
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Kennedy Nkeyasen (1976-04-07)7 April 1976 Free safety; converted from running back) with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL)[104][105]

Rugby League players edit

Rugby league players
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Dennis Tuffour (1989-02-17)17 February 1989 professional rugby league footballer for Doncaster and Hull F.C. in the Super League[106][107] [106]
[107]
 
Matty Blythe
Matty Blythe (1988-11-20)20 November 1988 professional rugby league footballer and second-row for the Warrington Wolves and the Bradford Bulls in the Super League[108] [108]

Basketball players edit

Basketball players
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Pops Mensah-Bonsu (1983-09-07)7 September 1983 In the language Akan (Twi), Mensah-Bonsu's name means King (Nana) Father (Papa) Thursday-Born (Yaw) Third Son (Mensah) Whale (Bonsu) in the Akan names system; has suggested in interviews that his family earned the surname when an ancestor slew a whale;[109] plays for Galatasaray Liv Hospital of the Turkish Basketball League; has a number of nicknames, including "King Whale Killer" and "Big Daddy", popularized by Toronto play-by-play announcer Matt Devlin and other commentators[110] [109]
[110]
 
Pops Mensah-Bonsu
Eric Boateng (1985-11-20)20 November 1985 Formally signed with the Los Angeles Lakers;[111][112] currently plays for La Unión of the LNB[113] [111]
[112]
[113]

Boxers edit

Boxers
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Jack Johnson (boxer) (1878-03-31)31 March 1878 10 June 1946(1946-06-10) (aged 68) World Heavyweight Boxing Champion (1908–1915) [114]
 
Jack Johnson
Michael Ebo Danquah World Boxing Council (WBC) International Light Flyweight Title Champion [115]

Combat sports edit

Combat sports
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Kofi Kingston (1981-08-14)14 August 1981 Professional wrestler and four time Intercontinental Champion[116] [116]
 
Kofi Kingston
Joey Ansah (1982-11-24)24 November 1982 Martial artist in tae kwon do and capoeira; actor in martial arts films The Bourne Ultimatum and Street Fighter: Legacy[117][118][119] [117]
[118]
[119]
Prince Nana c. 1977 (age 46–47) Professional wrestler and member of Ring of Honor professional wrestling promotion[120] [120]

Footballers edit

Footballers
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Kim Grant (1972-09-25)25 September 1972 Involved in professional association football for over 18 years, playing in Europe and Asia leagues
Tony Yeboah (1966-06-06)6 June 1966 Considered one of the most prominent and prolific goal scorers in African football history
Arthur Wharton (1865-10-28)28 October 1865 13 December 1930(1930-12-13) (aged 65) First black professional association football player in the world [121]
[122]
[123]
Michael Essien (1982-12-03)3 December 1982 In 2005, became the most expensive African footballer in history, with a fee of £24.4 million; often referred to as the 'Bison' for his tough tackling style, boundless energy and physical presence on the association football pitch [124]
[125]
Samuel Kuffour (1976-09-03)3 September 1976 Professional association football defender; known for his time with Bayern Munich, whom he represented for over a decade, winning a total of 17 major titles, and playing in nearly 250 official matches
John Mensah (1982-11-29)29 November 1982 Professional association football defender; nicknamed the 'Rock of Gibraltar'; currently with Eskilstuna in the Allsvenskan
Kevin-Prince Boateng (1987-03-06)6 March 1987 Professional association football box-to-box midfielder and defensive midfielder
Kwadwo Asamoah (1988-12-09)9 December 1988 Ranked as the 27th best footballer in the world by Bloomberg in 2013 [126]
Asamoah Gyan (1985-11-22)22 November 1985 Goal scorer; nominated for FIFA Ballon d'Or
Quincy Owusu-Abeyie (1986-04-15)15 April 1986 Known for his footspeed; considered one of the most skillful forwards; third fastest professional association football player in the world [127]
Simon Adingra (2002-01-01)1 January 2002 Professional association football winger, won Best Young Player at 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, assisting twice in the final.

Football managers edit

Football managers
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Charles Gyamfi c. 1929 (age 94–95) Manager and head coach; football coaching career highlights include winning the Africa Cup of Nations three times, making him the most successful coach in Africa Cup of Nations history[128] [128]
 
Chris Hughton
Fred Osam-Duodu Manager and head coach; football coaching career highlights include winning the Africa Cup of Nations[129] [129]
James Kwesi Appiah (1959-08-09)9 August 1959 Manager and head coach; received technical training from Manchester City in the Premier League[130][131] [130]
[131]
Maxwell Konadu (1972-12-04)4 December 1972 Manager and head coach; from 2011 to 2012, served as assistant manager and then head coach for Asante Kotoko and the African club of the 20th century[132] [132]
Chris Hughton (1958-12-11)11 December 1958 Football manager; from 1993 to 2007, served as head coach and then assistant manager for Tottenham Hotspur; joined Newcastle United as first team head coach in 2008; following their relegation, became caretaker manager;[133] led Newcastle United back to the Premier League in his first season in charge, along the way breaking a number of records and securing the permanent managerial position;[133] managed Birmingham City for one season, leading them to 4th place in the league, before joining Norwich City in the Premier League in June 2012[133] [133]

Skiers edit

Skiers
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong (1974-12-19)19 December 1974 Alpine skier nicknamed "The Snow Leopard"; competed at the 2010 Winter Olympics [134]

Warriors and revolutionary leaders edit

Warriors
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Yaa Asantewaa c. 1840 17 October 1921(1921-10-17) (aged 80–81) Queen mother of the Akan Kingdom of Ashanti; led the Akan Kingdom rebellion known as the "War of the Golden Stool" against Britain in 1900[135] [135]
Queen Nanny c. 1685 c. 1755 (aged 69–70) Ashanti Queen Nanny or Nana Akua (from "Nana", a title for a queen or king); leader in the eighteenth century; historical documents refer to her as the "rebels (sic) old obeah/"obayie" woman", and they legally grant "Nanny and the people now residing with her and their heirs Nanny Town"[136] [136]
Cuffy c. 1729 c. 1763 (aged 33–34) Cuffy (Kofi Badu) led the Berbice Slave Uprising in present day Guyana, leading more than 2,500 troops against the Dutch colonial regime[137] [137]
Denmark Vesey c. 1767 2 July 1822(1822-07-02) (aged 54–55) Planned a rebellion in 1822; regarded as a hero with the Denmark Vesey House, named a National Historic Landmark[138][139][140] [138]
[139]
[140]
Nat Turner (1800-10-02)2 October 1800 11 November 1831(1831-11-11) (aged 31) Led a rebellion that resulted in 55 Caucasoid deaths; his grandmother was of Akan origin[141] [141]
Harriet Tubman Oral traditions of Harriet Tubman's family said she was of Akan Ashanti people descent

Military personnel edit

Military personnel
Name Born Died Notability Ref.
Akwasi Afrifa (1936-04-24)24 April 1936 26 June 1979(1979-06-26) (aged 43) Brigadier; attended the Mons Officer Cadet School; completed officer training at the Royal Military Academy[142] [142]
Ignatius Acheampong (1931-09-23)23 September 1931 16 June 1979(1979-06-16) (aged 47) General during the twentieth century[143] [143]
Fred Akuffo (1937-03-21)21 March 1937 26 June 1979(1979-06-26) (aged 42) Lieutenant General; trained at the Royal Military Academy, receiving his commission; attended the National Defence College[143] [143]

Citations edit

  1. ^ Hee Jae Ko (10 December 2012). "Transcript of Akan". Prezi. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  2. ^ "Marcus Garvey profile". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 20 February 2008.
  3. ^ "The "Back to Africa" Myth". UNIA-ACL website. 14 July 2005. Archived from the original on 30 December 2006. Retrieved 1 April 2007.
  4. ^ Harrow, Kenneth W. (1999). African Cinema: Postcolonial and Feminist Readings. Africa World Press. ISBN 9780865436978. Retrieved 13 November 2014 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ a b "The Prof: A Man Remembered – A Short Biography of Dr. K.A. Busia" (PDF). ruafrica.rutgers.edu. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  6. ^ a b "J. B. Danquah" (PDF). Danquah Institute. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Joseph B. Danquah". Encyclopaedia of World Biography. Retrieved 1 March 2014 – via BookRags.
  8. ^ a b "Kwame Nkrumah: The greatest African". ericwalberg.com. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  9. ^ "Ivory Coast's First Lady Recalls a Life of Political Struggle". Washington Post. 6 February 2004.
  10. ^ a b Pearson, Anthony (24 July 2009). "Architect to Hollywood stars attempts to save firm from financial collapse". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  11. ^ a b Govindini Murty, Jason Apuzzo (3 November 2012). "A Conversation With Fashion Icon Ozwald Boateng on Style, Africa, and His New Film A Man's Story". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  12. ^ a b Robert Johnston. "Two's company". GQ. London. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  13. ^ a b Abigail Mott, Biographical sketches and interesting anecdotes of persons of colour (printed and sold by W. Alexander & Son; sold also by Harvey and Darton, W. Phillips, E. Fry, and W. Darton, London; R. Peart, Birmingham; D. F. Gardiner, Dublin, 1826), pp. 31–43 (accessed on Google Books).
  14. ^ a b Thomas, Lamont D. Paul Cuffee: Black Entrepreneur and Pan-Africanist (Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1988), pp 4–5.
  15. ^ a b Wiggins, p. 45.
  16. ^ a b "Board Members: Papa Kwesi Nduom". International Institute for Sustainable Development. Archived from the original on 5 December 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  17. ^ a b c d e f "Adam Afriyie profile: before any plot, there was always a word farm". The Guardian. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  18. ^ a b "Directors: Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, KBE, OSG, Executive Chairman". jonahcapital.com. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  19. ^ a b "AEGIS – About Us". Aegisworld.com. Archived from the original on 12 November 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  20. ^ a b "Advisory Committee on Business Appointments | Home". Acoba.independent.gov.uk. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  21. ^ a b "Future 100 2011 Winners – Full Summary". 16 November 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  22. ^ a b "Philanthropist, model and former Miss Universe Ghana, Menaye Donkor Muntari announced as AFWL 2012 ambassador". allafricafashion.com. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  23. ^ a b "Menaye Donkor". Vogue. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  24. ^ a b "I nearly gave up- Nyantakyi". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  25. ^ a b "Interview with Kwesi Nyantakyi". Ghana FA. 26 October 2007. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  26. ^ a b "Profile: Kofi Annan". The Economist. 1 April 2005. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  27. ^ a b c "Edward Ayensu". Africa Practice. Archived from the original on 16 July 2010. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  28. ^ a b c "Speaker's bios" (PDF). Science with Africa, UNECA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  29. ^ a b "John Evans Atta Mills". Xinhua Net. Xinhua News Agency. 25 July 2012. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  30. ^ "Charles Konan Banny". BBC. 5 December 2005.
  31. ^ "Charles Konan Banny". gouv.ci.
  32. ^ "Ivory Coast Banny Charles Konan Banny". VOA News. 21 August 2015.
  33. ^ a b c "Okomfo Anokye, the greatest ever Akan shaman (medicine man)". theakan.com. July 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  34. ^ a b "Grandma Joyce is Historic Speaker". Ghanaian Chronicle. 7 January 2009. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  35. ^ a b Cynthia Boakye (8 January 2009). "Business News: Justice Bamford Addo is first Female Speaker". The Statesman Online. Archived from the original on 8 February 2010. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  36. ^ a b Pearson, Anthony (23 April 2006). "Edward Akuffo-Addo". Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  37. ^ a b "Mr Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo". Africa Confidential. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  38. ^ a b c "About J.A. Kufuor". Kufuor Foundation. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  39. ^ a b "A Chronicle of the day, 1960 № 13". Newsreel Daily News. 1960. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  40. ^ a b Miller, John (2010). All Them Cornfields and Ballet in the Evening. Hodgson Press. pp. 40–. ISBN 9781906164126. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  41. ^ "(title unclear)". Pittsburgh Courier. 9 April 1960. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  42. ^ "Vanessa Williams Ancestry Traced Through Mail-Order DNA Test: What She Found". Huffington Post. 17 February 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  43. ^ Pearson, Anthony. "Zoe Saldana plays hot action chick in new 'Colombiana' trailer". Monsters and Critics. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  44. ^ "Peter Mensah Celebrity". TV Guide. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  45. ^ "10 Popular Hollywood Actors Who Are Actually Africans". Answers Africa. 12 November 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  46. ^ a b Alistair Boddy-Evans, "JE Casely Hayford – Leading West African Pan-Africanist", African History, About.com.
  47. ^ a b Hochkeppel, Willy (2012). "Der schwarze Philosoph" [The black Philosopher]. Damals (in German). No. 12. pp. 66–69.
  48. ^ a b Henry Louis Gates, Jr, The Signifying Monkey: A Theory of African-American Literary Criticism, Oxford University Press, 1989, pp. 146–47.
  49. ^ a b "Sparrow Productions". Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  50. ^ a b Amankwa, Obour (16 May 2010). "Biography of Shirley Frimpong-Manso: A Director with Outstanding Skills". Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  51. ^ a b "BAFTA/LA Pan African Film Festival Choice Award". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  52. ^ a b "AMAA Nominees and Winners 2010". Archived from the original on 5 April 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  53. ^ "Akissi Delta L'histoire de Lanalphabete Devenue Icone Du Cinema Africain". Africa Top Success (in French). 3 June 2014.
  54. ^ "Concours TV5MONDE Afrique Ma Famille". tv5monde.com (in French).
  55. ^ "Akissi Delta Personnes". Africa Films (in French).
  56. ^ a b c "My mission is to impact society, jail lawbreakers- Anas". www..myjoyonline.com. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  57. ^ a b c Schmidle, Nicholas (4 October 2010). "Smuggler, Forger, writer, Spy". The Atlantic. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  58. ^ a b c d e f Ceesay, Fabakary B. (1 October 2007). "Nkrumah's Children to Continue Father's Legacy". Foroyaa online. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  59. ^ a b "Afua Hirsch – A star is born". Operationblackvote.wordpress.com. 10 September 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  60. ^ a b c Afua Hirsch (26 August 2012). "Afua Hirsch: Our parents left Africa – now we are coming home". The Observer. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  61. ^ a b "Afua Hirsch". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  62. ^ a b Ron Claiborne (20 May 2006). "African-American Visits His Ashanti Heritage". Ghana Web. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  63. ^ a b Jacks, Camille (July 2004). "Introducing Rhian Benson and her debut album Gold Coast". The Interview. Whudat. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  64. ^ a b c d e "Sarkodie wins Best International Act at BET Awards". myjoyonline. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  65. ^ a b Paul Lester (16 May 2013). "Phreeda Sharp (No 1,514)". The Guardian.
  66. ^ a b "Phreeda Sharp". rmmagazine.
  67. ^ "Efya Biography". Efyasworld.com. Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  68. ^ a b "Richie". Ghana Music. Archived from the original on 26 January 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  69. ^ a b "Richie: Museke". museke.com. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  70. ^ a b "All of Me". Ghana Music. Archived from the original on 26 January 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  71. ^ a b c "Reggie Rockstone: hip-hop". BBC Radio One. 4 November 2003. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  72. ^ a b "Reggie Rockstone you'll be hearing across Ras' shows". BBC Radio One. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  73. ^ a b "Fuse ODG Wins MOBO at the 18th Anniversary Awards". What's Good? Online. 19 October 2013. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  74. ^ a b "Fuse ODG Claims Top Gongs – Urban Music Awards 2013". Infolodge. 25 November 2013. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  75. ^ "Meiway Biography". RFImusic. Archived from the original on 13 August 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  76. ^ "Meiway Biography". Meiway (in French).
  77. ^ a b "Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu Uncovered!". At Ghana. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  78. ^ a b "Deborah Vanessa wins Fashion 101 top prize". E.tv Ghana. 2 April 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  79. ^ a b "AMAA Nominees and Winners 2011". Africa Movie Academy Awards. 28 March 2011. Archived from the original on 3 April 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  80. ^ a b "The Number One Fan: Sonia Ibrahim". number1fanthemovie.com. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  81. ^ a b "Biografia: Omenaa Mensah" [Biography: Omenaa Mensah]. nocoty.pl (in Polish). 9 July 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  82. ^ a b "Tutu, Osei Kofi (c. 1680–1717)". blackpast.org. 30 May 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  83. ^ a b "Eclairage sur l'histoire précoloniale des Baoulé de Côte d'Ivoire". histoire-afrique.org (in French). Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  84. ^ a b c d e f g "Akan Kingdom of Ashanti Kings And Queens". Archived from the original on 30 October 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  85. ^ a b Robin Hallett, Africa Since 1875: A Modern History (University of Michigan Press: Ann Arbor, 1974) p. 281.
  86. ^ a b "The Man who Mends Hearts...Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng". African Celebrities. 11 October 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  87. ^ a b "Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor". Africa Confidential. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  88. ^ a b Sodzi-Tettey, S (2007). "GMA@50: Ghana's Health". Ghana Med J. 41 (3): 146–50. PMC 2279081. PMID 18470335.
  89. ^ "Félix Houphouët-Boigny Biography". African History (in French). About.com.
  90. ^ a b "Cowboys deactivated Ekuban vs. Philly". ESPN. 11 March 2004. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  91. ^ a b "Browns send D-lineman to Denver for rusher". ESPN. 30 March 2005. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  92. ^ a b "We'll Take That Defensive Line". The New York Times. 15 November 2005. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  93. ^ a b "Lions sign top draft pick DE Ezekiel Ansah to 5-year contract, 8 others to 4-year deals". The Washington Post. Associated Press, The Washington Press. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2014.[dead link]
  94. ^ a b Seiferth, Kevin (25 April 2013). "Ezekiel Ansah: Big swing with game on line". ESPN. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  95. ^ a b "2013 Senior Bowl Stats" (PDF). Seniorbowl.com. 29 January 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 February 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  96. ^ a b "NFL Combine Player Profile: Ziggy Ansah". NFL. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  97. ^ a b Brandt, Gil (23 July 2009), Idaho's Iupti, Texas' Hall top 2010 draft interior OL prospects, retrieved 3 March 2014
  98. ^ a b Buchanan, Olin; Dienhart, Tom; Fox, David; Huguenin, Mike; Megargee, Steve (22 August 2009), "Preseason interior lineman power rankings", Rivals.com, retrieved 3 March 2014
  99. ^ a b "Packers Charlie Peprah is having an impact on more than one continent". WFAA. 2 February 2011. Archived from the original on 3 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  100. ^ a b Watkins, Calvin (23 October 2012). "Source: Cowboys agree to deal with Charlie Peprah". ESPN.
  101. ^ a b "Boateng hopes hometown team can look beyond his troubled past". Sports Illustrated. 3 May 2010. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  102. ^ a b "Source: Pats, Joseph Addai agree". ESPN. 6 May 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  103. ^ a b "Giants ink two-second-round picks". New York Daily News. 30 July 2009. Archived from the original on 3 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  104. ^ a b "Daley will watch the game with interest". Regina Leader-Post. 20 November 2007.
  105. ^ a b "Kennedy Nkeyasen". Canadian Football League. Archived from the original on 3 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  106. ^ a b "Hull winger Dennis Tuffour recalled from Knights". The Press. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  107. ^ a b "Dennis Tuffour To Leave Doncaster RLFC". DoncasterRugbyLeague. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  108. ^ a b "Bradford Bulls sign Matty Blythe from Warrington Wolves". BBC News. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  109. ^ a b George Washington back on the national scene, USAToday.com
  110. ^ a b "HoopHeadsNorth". HoopHeadsNorth. 19 March 2009. Archived from the original on 14 August 2009. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  111. ^ a b Lakers add Eric Boateng and Darius Johnson-Odom to training camp Archived 30 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine. insidehoops.com.
  112. ^ a b Lakers Waive Eric Boateng and Dan Gadzuric. nba.com.
  113. ^ a b Eric Boateng signs with La Union Formosa in Argentina. hoopsfix.com.
  114. ^ West, Sandra L. (2003). "Johnson, Jack". Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance. Infobase Publishing. p. 177. ISBN 0-8160-4539-9.
  115. ^ "Statistics at boxrec.com". boxrec.com. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  116. ^ a b "Profile: Kofi Kingston". WWE. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  117. ^ a b "Joey Ansah Biography". Archived from the original on 23 August 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  118. ^ a b "Interview: Joey Ansah On Snow White, Bourne, And Street Fighter: Legacy". This Is Fake DIY. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  119. ^ a b "Actor: Joey Ansah". afrobougee.com. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  120. ^ a b Clevett, J. (31 May 2005). "Nana an honorable Prince". Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  121. ^ "Arthur Wharton". 100 Great Black Britons.
  122. ^ Phil Vasili (1998). The First Black Footballer, Arthur Wharton, 1865–1930: an absence of memory. Psychology Press. ISBN 0-7146-4903-1.
  123. ^ "Arthur Wharton". Football Unites, Racism Divides. Archived from the original on 10 June 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  124. ^ Vickers, Steve (2007). "Michael Essien". BBC World Service. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  125. ^ Burt, Jason (20 October 2005). "'Bison' Essien tramples Betis underfoot". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 30 May 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  126. ^ "Messi and Ronaldo joined by Ribery in top three of new list of Europe's top 50 stars". Sky Sports. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  127. ^ "The 20 Fastest Players in World Football". Bleacher Report. 8 March 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  128. ^ a b "Legend laments money culture". BBC News. 13 January 2008. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  129. ^ a b "Osam-Duodu not inclined to go on attachment with Kwesi Appiah". Africa Top Sports. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  130. ^ a b "Biography: James Kwesi Appiah". kwasiappiah.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  131. ^ a b "Appiah back to share skills". BBC Sport. 24 April 2013.
  132. ^ a b "Maxwell Konadu begins work on Wednesday". Asante Kotoko Official site. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  133. ^ a b c d "Chris Hughton Biography". bestfootballcoachs.com. 2013. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  134. ^ Dutta, Kunal (22 October 2009). "Forget Eric the Eel... meet the Snow Leopard". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  135. ^ a b "Queen Mother Nana Yaa Asantewaa of West Africa's Ashanti Empire". Black History Heroes. May 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  136. ^ a b "Nanny of the Maroons". Black History Pages. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  137. ^ a b "For Black History Month... UG remembers the heroes of a free Caribbean –at round-table meet". Guyana Chronicle. 10 February 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  138. ^ a b "Black History: Biographies Denmark Vesey (1767–1822)". CBN. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  139. ^ a b Rucker (2006), p. 162
  140. ^ a b Egerton (2004), p. 3-4
  141. ^ a b Oates, Stephen B. (1990) [1975]. The Fires of Jubilee: Nat Turner's Fierce Rebellion. New York City: HarperCollins Publishers Inc. p. 126. ISBN 0-06-091670-2.
  142. ^ a b Braffi, Emmanuel Kingsley (2002). "Courageous Asante soldier: Okatakyie Akwasi Amankwaa Afrifa". Retrieved 5 March 2014 – via Google Books.
  143. ^ a b c d Kamalu, Chukwunyere (23 September 2007). The Little African History Book – Black Africa from the Origins of Humanity. Lulu.com. ISBN 9780955713101. Retrieved 5 March 2014 – via Google Books.

External links edit

  • An insight guide to Akanland’s culture and language
  • Wo Aka Dictionaries, translation into Akan
  • "Akan Philosophy of the Person", Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2006) ISSN 1095-5054