Kofi Baako
Kofi Baako (1926-1984) was a Ghanaian sportsman, teacher and politician. He served as Minister for Defence in the Nkrumah government during the First Republic of Ghana until it was overthrown in 1966. He was also held various other ministries throughout the reign of the Convention People's Party.
Hon. Kofi Baako | |
|---|---|
 Kofi Baako in 1958 | |
| 5th Minister for Defence (Ghana) | |
| In office Sep 1961 – Feb 1966 | |
| President | Kwame Nkrumah |
| Preceded by | Charles de Graft Dickson |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Arthur Ankrah |
| Constituency | Saltpond |
| Minister for Information and Broadcasting | |
| In office 1 August 1957 – 1959 | |
| President | Kwame Nkrumah |
| Constituency | Saltpond |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1926 |
| Died | 1984 |
| Political party | Convention People's Party |
| Other political affiliations | United Gold Coast Convention |
| Children | Kweku Baako Jnr |
Early life and education
Kofi Baako's father was a teacher. He made Kofi Baako start school when he was only three years old. On completion of his elementary school education at the Roman Catholic School in his native Saltpond, he continued with his secondary school education at St. Augustine's College, Cape Coast.[1]
Work and politics
Baako became a teacher and later a civil servant. He was inspired by the speeches of Kwame Nkrumah advocating for independence for Ghana. This inspired him to write an article, "My Hatred of Imperialism" which resulted in him being fired from his job. He later met Nkrumah who made him editor-in-chief of the Cape Coast Daily Mail when he was still only twenty years old. Another article he subsequently wrote while with the Daily Mail was "We Call for Freedom." This got him imprisoned by the colonial government. Nkrumah and some other leaders of the Convention People's Party were jailed with him. Later when Nkrumah eventually won elections and formed a government, some of these men who were in prison with him became ministers in Nkrumah's government.
Kofi Baako was elected as Member of Parliament for Saltpond in the Central Region of Ghana. He was appointed a Minister of State by Kwame Nkrumah in his colonial government prior to independence. He continued in various capacities throughout the duration of the Nkrumah government. In the earlier years of the government, he was initially a Minister without portfolio prior to being appointed Minister for Information and Broadcasting in August 1957, making him the youngest minister not only in Ghana[2] but in the whole of the British Commonwealth of Nations. He was appointed into office when he was only 29 years old.[3]
Baako served as Minister for Defence between September 1961 and 24 February 1966.[4][5]
Other activities
He was reputed to have been good in sport and was active in soccer, cricket and was the national table-tennis champion. His hobbies included reading and photography.[3]
Family
Baako had four children. One of them, Kweku Baako Jnr is a journalist and editor of the New Crusading Guide newspaper.[6]
References
- "The New Ghana, Volume 7". Ghana Information Services Department. 1962: 21.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - Jubilee Ghana. A 50-year news journey thru' Graphic. Accra: Graphic Communications Group Ltd. 2006. p. 19. ISBN 9988-8097-8-6.
Baako To Head New Ministry
- "The Shadow of the Sun". Books excerpt. The New York Times on the web. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- Kraus, Jon (April 1966). "Ghana Without Nkrumah - The Men In Charge". Africa Report. Archived from the original on 19 May 2007. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- "Past Ministers". Official website. Ghana Armed Forces. Archived from the original on 8 April 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- "Kudos Nduom!! Leave The Crazy Bald Heads To Stew In Their Hypocricy [sic]". ModernGhana.com. Retrieved 21 May 2013.