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

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
• Rema
• 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

Arts

Nkyinkim by Kwame Akoto-Bamfo at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice that opened in 2018 in Montgomery, Alabama.

Ozwald Boateng

Dancers and dance instructors

• Obo Addy

Business

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

Beattie Casely-Hayford

• 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

• 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

• 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

Boris Kodjoe

Idris Elba

• 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

Journalists

Samia Nkrumah

• 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

Military figures

Jerry John Rawlings

• 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

• 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

Kofi Annan

• 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
• 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

Abedi Pele

Marcel Desailly

Isaac Dogboe

Asamoah Gyan

• 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

Reggie Yates

• 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

William Boyd

W. E. B. Du Bois

• 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

• 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

Gospel artists

• Majesty
• Joe Beecham
• Helen Yawson
• Joe Mettle
• Diana Hamilton
• Daughters of Glorious Jesus

Information and communications technology

• Mohammed-Sani Abdulai

Activists

• Stella Saaka
• Juliana Dogbadzi
• Abena Dugan
• Afi Azaratu Yakubu

Inventors and innovators

• Herman Chinery-Hesse
• Thomas Mensah
• Ave Kludze
• Bright Simons
• Fred McBagonluri
• Kojo Sarfo Kantanka
• Alexander Anim-Mensah

Others

• Harriet Bruce-Annan (born 1965), humanitarian
• 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

• 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