Ghanaian
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When we speak of famous personalities associated with Ghana, the name of Kofi Annan, the 7th UN Secretary-General, is undoubtedly one of the first ones to come to mind. A Nobel Laureate, Annan has been involved in several humanitarian projects and has won several awards including the Kora All Africa Music Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. The 20th century historian and civil rights activist, William Edward Burghardt "W. E. B." Du Bois, is another personality who had deep connections with the Ghanaian soil even though he was not born in the nation. Ghana, whose population comprises dozens of native ethnic groups, has a rich tradition in music and dance with each ethnic group having its own traditional dances to mark different occasions. Music in Ghana has now evolved to include internationally loved genres like hip hop and rapper Reggie Rockstone and emerged as "the Godfather of Hiplife". Hiplife, a musical style that fuses highlife and hip hop, has gained popularity across the world in countries like the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Germany. Ghana has also produced notable sportsmen like Tony Yeboah, Michael Essien, Kevin-Prince Boateng, and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu. Read on to discover about the life and works of famous Ghanaians.
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Birthdate: February 23, 1868
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Great Barrington, Massachusetts, United States
Died: August 27, 1963
W. E. B. Du Bois was an American civil rights activist, sociologist, and Pan-Africanist. Du Bois played an instrumental role in fighting for full civil rights for people of color around the world. A co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Du Bois also played an important role as the leader of the Niagara Movement.
Birthdate: April 8, 1938
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Kumasi, Ghana
Died: August 18, 2018
Ghanaian diplomat Kofi Annan served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1997 to 2006. He was the founder and chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation and a co-recipient of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize. During his stint with the UN, he launched the UN Global Compact and worked to combat HIV/AIDS.
Birthdate: August 14, 1981
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kumasi, Ghana
Ghanaian-American wrestler Kofi Kingston plays for the WWE brand Raw. He was initially known as Kofi Nahaje Kingston and used his Jamaican identity in the wrestling circuit, but later began to be billed from Ghana. The 13-time Tag Team Champion has also won the Intercontinental and U.S. championships.
Birthdate: September 21, 1909
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Nkroful
Died: April 27, 1972
Kwame Nkrumah was a Ghanaian revolutionary and politician. He played an important role in the independence of the Gold Coast in 1957, after which he served as the first prime minister of Ghana from 1957 to 1960 and then as the first president of Ghana from 1960 to 1966. He also played an influential role as an advocate of Pan-Africanism.
Birthdate: November 5, 1964
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kyebi, Ghana
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Michael Essien
(Footballer)
Birthdate: December 3, 1982
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Accra
Birthdate: November 28, 1972
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Ghana
Known as The African King of Comedy, the Ghanaian-Liberian-American comedian Michael Blackson considers Eddie Murphy one of his greatest inspirations. An encounter with Ice Cube at The Comedy Store, turned Blackson’s future around. He is also known for his hit films Next Friday and Meet the Blacks.
Birthdate: August 27, 1959
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Chiraa, Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana
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Asamoah Gyan
(Ghanaian footballer)
Birthdate: November 22, 1985
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Accra
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Sulley Muntari
(Footballer)
Birthdate: August 27, 1984
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Konongo, Ghana
Birthdate: December 30, 1966
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Ghana
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Sarkodie
(Ghanaian Rapper and Songwriter Known for His Work in the Azonto Genre)
Birthdate: July 10, 1985
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Tema, Ghana
Popular Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie has made a substantial contribution to hip-hop and Afrobeats and is also considered a pioneer of the Azonto genre of music. Apart from his dance tracks, he is also known for his charitable work for underprivileged children. He owns a clothing and accessory line too.
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Reggie Tsiboe
(Ghanaian-British Singer and a Member of the Chart-Busting Disco Group 'Boney M')
Birthdate: September 7, 1950
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Kumasi, Gold Coast (now Ghana)
Though born in Ghana, singer Reggie Tsiboe grew up in England since age 11. Starting his music career in Germany, he later joined the iconic disco group Boney M. He has also been an actor in Ghanaian films and has starred in various British TV programs such as Doctor Who.
Birthdate: July 2, 2001
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Ghana
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Ezekiel Ansah
(American Football player)
Birthdate: May 29, 1989
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Accra, Ghana
Birthdate: September 14, 1986
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Accra
Ghanaian-British rapper Kwasi Esono Danquah III is better known as Tinchy Stryder, "Tinchy" being an indication of his short frame and "Stryder" indicating a game he played as a child. Famous for his album Star in the Hood, he also owns an apparel range of the same name.
Birthdate: August 1, 1977
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Accra, Ghana
Birthdate: July 19, 1958
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Accra, Ghana
Birthdate: December 5, 1983
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Majid Michel
(Ghanaian Actor Best Known for His Film 'Somewhere in Africa')
Birthdate: September 22, 1980
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Cantonments, Accra, Ghana
The son of a Ghanaian mother and a Lebanese father, Majid Michel soared to fame with his role of a Lebanese boy, Shaker, in the Ghanaian series Things We Do for Love. He later gained popularity with Nollywood films such as Silent Scandals and delivered an award-winning performance in Somewhere in Africa.
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Abdul Razak Alhassan
(Mixed martial artist)
Birthdate: August 11, 1985
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Accra, Ghana
Birthdate: March 14, 1993
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Accra, Ghana
Birthdate: 1840 AD
Birthplace: Besease
Died: October 17, 1920
The Queen Mother of the Ashanti Empire, or modern-day Ghana, Yaa Asantewaa is remembered for leading her country against the British in the War of the Golden Stool. The war began when a British representative sat on the Golden Stool, considered a sacred emblem of the Ashanti people.
Birthdate: April 18, 1919
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: South Dayi District, Ghana
Died: February 8, 2002
Ghanaian businesswoman Esther Afua Ocloo, better known as the founder of Women’s World Banking, had stepped into the world of business with less than a dollar. She initially sold marmalade in Ghana and then moved to England to learn food processing, eventually turning into a microlending pioneer.
Birthdate: March 7, 1952
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Accra, Gold Coast (British colony) Gold Coast
Birthdate: March 6, 1987
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Berlin, Germany
German-born Ghanaian footballer Kevin-Prince Boateng, nicknamed “Prince,” plays for Serie B club Monza, as a midfielder and forward. He has earlier won the La Liga with Barcelona and the Serie A with Milan. While he played for the Bundesliga club Schalke 04, he also represented Ghana in two World Cups.
Birthdate: 1989 AD
Birthplace: Mampong, Ghana
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André Ayew
(Association football player)
Birthdate: December 17, 1989
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Seclin, France
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Sandeep Chowta
(Music director)
Birthdate: 1967 AD
Birthplace: Buduburam, Ghana
Birthdate: November 29, 1958
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Damongo
John Dramani Mahama is a Ghanaian politician who served as the president of Ghana from July 2012 to January 2017. He was previously the vice president of Ghana from January 2009 to July 2012. He is the first head of state of Ghana to have been born after Ghana's independence. He is a staunch campaigner for sustainability.
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Nana Akufo-Addo
(Fifth President of Ghana)
Birthdate: March 29, 1944
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Accra, Ghana
Nana Akufo-Addo is a Ghanaian politician and the current President of Ghana. An important politician, Akufo-Addo also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1 April 2003 to 1 July 2007. In 2017, Nana Akufo-Addo was honored by the Africa-America Institute with the prestigious National Achievement Award.
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KiDi
(Ghanaian High-Life and Afrobeats Singer Best Known for His Hit 'Odo')
Birthdate: August 18, 1993
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Accra, Ghana
Ghanaian singer Dennis Nana Dwamena, better known by his stage name, KiDi, is a master of high-life and Afrobeats. Though an economics graduate, his love for music made him start a music career with cover versions. His music has earned him many honors, such as 4 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
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Amaarae
(Ghanaian Singer Known for Her Soul, Afro-Fusion, and R&B Hits)
Birthdate: July 4, 1994
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: New York, United States
Ghanaian singer Ama Serwah Genfi, better known by her stage name, Amaarae, soared to fame with the 2020 hit Sad Girlz Luv Money, which became viral after it was remixed the following year. Known for her signature buzz haircut, she is also a popular style icon.
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John Atta Mills
(Former President of Ghana (2009 – 2012))
Birthdate: July 21, 1944
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Tarkwa, Ghana
Died: July 24, 2012
John Atta Mills was a Ghanaian legal scholar and politician. He is best known for his service as the President of Ghana from 2009 until his death in 2012. Previously, he had served as the Vice President of Ghana from 1997 to 2001. John Atta Mills was the recipient of many prestigious awards such as the Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize.
Birthdate: 1980 AD
Birthplace: Pakistan
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Yvonne Nelson
(Ghanaian Actress and Film Producer Known for Her Film 'House of Gold')
Birthdate: November 12, 1985
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Accra, Ghana
Ghanaian actress, model and film-producer Yvonne Nelson chanced upon acting with the film Princess Tyra. Over the years, she has produced and starred in several movies, most-notably the Ghanaian-Nigerian comedy House of Gold that bagged many awards at 2013 Zulu African Film Academy Awards. She founded the Yvonne Nelson Glaucoma Foundation and is noted for her charity-work in fighting glaucoma.
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Baba Rahman
(Football player)
Birthdate: July 2, 1994
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Tamale, Ghana
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Jerry Rawlings(First President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana (1993 - 2001))
Birthdate: June 22, 1947
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Accra, Ghana
Died: November 12, 2020
Jerry Rawlings led Ghana as the head of state and the president. An army pilot, he first came to power in 1979, after a coup. Though he was sentenced to death for plotting against General Fred Akuffo, he managed to escape. He had also formed the National Democratic Congress.
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Rebecca Akufo-Addo
(First Lady of Ghana)
Birthdate: March 12, 1951
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Ghana
Rebecca Akufo-Addo is a Ghanaian public figure best known as the wife of the current President Nana Akufo-Addo. Since 2017, she has been serving as the First Lady of Ghana and has received praises for her fight against malnutrition in children and adolescents. As the First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo has also contributed immensely to women's health across Africa.
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Jeffrey Schlupp
(Full back, Winger)
Birthdate: December 23, 1992
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Hamburg, Germany
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Emmanuel Frimpong
(Footballer)
Birthdate: January 10, 1992
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Kumasi
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Otto Addo
(Former Footballer attacking midfielder position)
Birthdate: June 9, 1975
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Hamburg, Germany
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Kwadwo Asamoah
(Ghanaian footballer)
Birthdate: December 9, 1988
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kumasi
Birthdate: October 6, 1977
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Accra, Ghana
Birthdate: October 10, 1987
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Ghana
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Fathia Nkrumah
(First Lady)
Birthdate: February 22, 1932
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: El-Zaytoun, Egypt
Died: May 31, 2007
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John Dumelo
(Ghanaian Actor Best Known for His Role in the Film 'A Northern Affair')
Birthdate: February 3, 1984
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Ghana
John Dumelo is a Ghanaian actor, politician, entrepreneur, and farmer. He is best known for his portrayal of Manuel Quagraine in the 2014 Ghanaian-Nigerian film A Northern Affair, which earned him a Ghana Movie Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role. John Dumelo is also credited with launching his own clothing line called J.Melo.
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Juliet Ibrahim
(Ghanaian Actor Best Known for Her Film '4 Play')
Birthdate: March 3, 1986
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Accra, Ghana
The daughter of a Ghanaian-Liberian mother and a Lebanese father, Juliet Ibrahim had a tough childhood torn by civil war before she made her mark as an actor in Ghanaian films. Best known for her award-winning performance in the Nigerian-Ghanaian romantic comedy 4 Play, she once accused her former boyfriend of raping her.
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Akrobeto
(Ghanaian Actor, Comedian and TV Presenter Known for His Comic Acts)
Birthdate: November 18, 1962
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Ayirebi, Ghana
Ghanaian actor, comedian and television-presenter Akwasi Boadi, more-famous as Akrobeto (who 'nose' tomorrow) and known for size of his nose, garnered international-recognition through his comic-acts, some of which went viral on YouTube. Different satirical-shows like Radio Arvyla has satirized his speech while playing their own clips. Akrobeto won overall Entertainment Personality of the Year award at 2021 Entertainment Achievement Awards.
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Edward Akufo-Addo
(Former President of Ghana (1970 – 1972))
Birthdate: June 26, 1906
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Dodowa
Died: July 17, 1979
Edward Akufo-Addo was a Ghanaian lawyer and politician. He is best remembered for his service as the second President of Ghana from 31 August 1970 to 13 January 1972. He also served as the Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana from 1962 to 1964 and as the Chief Justice of Ghana from 1966 to 1970.