Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie

Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (popularly known as Sir John)[1] (1957[2] – 1 July 2020) was a Ghanaian lawyer and politician. He held several political positions including serving as general secretary of the New Patriotic Party. He was serving as the chief executive officer of Forestry Commission of Ghana before his demise.[3][4]

"Sir John" redirects here. For other uses, see Sir John (disambiguation).

Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie
Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie in 2019
Afriyie in 2019
CEO Forestry Commission
In office
March 2017 – 1 July 2020
PresidentNana Akuffo-Addo
Preceded bySamuel Afari Dartey
Succeeded byvacant
Head of legal GNPC
PresidentJohn Agyekum Kufour
Personal details
Born1957 (1957)[1]
Ghana
DiedJuly 1, 2020(2020-07-01) (aged 62–63) [1]
Accra, Ghana
Political partyNew Patriotic Party
ResidenceGhana
Alma materUniversity of Ghana, Ghana School of Law
OccupationPublic servant
ProfessionLawyer

Early life and education

Kojo Afriyie was born in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. He attended Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School in Bekwai from where he obtained his GCE Ordinary level certificate.[5] He proceeded to obtain his GCE Advanced level certificate from Konongo Odumase Secondary School in Konongo.[5] He was admitted to study political science at the University of Ghana.[5] He then enrolled at the Ghana School of Law where he graduated with Bachelor of Laws. After this he was admitted as a solicitor and counsel for the Supreme Court of Ghana.[5]

Career

Afriyie entered into private law practice in 1981.[5] During the John Agyekum Kufour administration, he was appointed head of legal services at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation. He was later made to act as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the corporation.[5]

Political career

While managing his firm, Afriyie was also actively engaged in Ghanaian politics. He served as the general secretary of the New Patriotic Party from 2010 to 2014.[5] He lost his bid to secure a second term to Kwabena Agyapong.[4][6] In May 2017, while serving as the CEO of the Forestry Commission, he publicly declared that he would contest the New Patriotic Party's general secretary elections if there was an overwhelming call for him to do so.[1][4][7]

CEO of Forestry Commission

In March 2017, President Nana Akuffo-Addo appointed Afriyie as CEO of the Forestry Commission.[3] He replaced Samuel Afari Dartey, whose term as the CEO had ended. His appointment was surprising to many Ghanaians because of many rumours that he was linked to the position of head of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.[3][8] That position was given to Paul Asare Ansah.[3][8] Afriyie later revealed that the rumours were true but he had rejected the appointment due to his fear of the sea.[9][10] He thanked the president for the Forestry Commission appointment and believed that since he hailed from the forest zone of Ghana, he would be able to have a greater impact in that area.[9]

As CEO of the Forestry Commission, Afriyie's job was to oversee the various public agencies that form the divisions of the commission.[11] His first assignment as head of the commission was to supervise the celebration of World Forest Day which fell on 21 March 2017.[11]

Contempt case

In July 2013, Afriyie was summoned to the Supreme Court of Ghana because he had made some potentially contemptuous comments.[12] He had criticised the Court for its actions in a criminal contempt case involving Sammy Awuku of the New Patriotic Party,[13] and had implied that the justices' continuous mention of public radio discussions on cases that were before the court was a ploy by the court to curtail people from expressing themselves.[14] Upon appearing before the court, his counsel, Ayikoi Otoo, pleaded with the court to be lenient and declared that his client had pleaded guilty to the charge. According to Ayikoi Otoo, "... some power for which no one had control over, entered Owusu Afriyie, because as a lawyer, he ought to have known the law".[15] The Peace Council also offered a plea on Afriyie's behalf to the court.[16] After a brief trial, Afriyie was fined 5000 cedis or, if he defaulted on payment, a six-month prison term.[15][16] Afriyie was made to sign a bond of good behaviour as well as retracting and offering an apology to the bench within 24 hours on the same platform he had used to criticise the court.[16]

Death

Afriyie died on 1 July 2020 in Accra after testing positive for COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. He died at the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital where he was receiving treatment.[17][18]

Funeral and burial

The funeral of Afriyie was held at Wonoo Basic School Park. Afriyie who was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church was buried in Sakora Wonoo in a House Tomb.[19][20]

References
  1. Tornyi, Emmanuel (22 May 2017). "Second Chance: Sir John to contest NPP General Secretary position". Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  2. "Akufo-Addo: I received news of Sir John's death 'with great shock and deep sadness'". Graphic Online.
  3. Tornyi, Emmanuel (14 March 2017). "Presidential Appointment: Sir John named Forestry Commission CEO". Pulse. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  4. "I'll contest NPP General Secretary position if… – Sir John". Kasapa102.5FM. 22 May 2017. Archived from the original on 14 December 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  5. Ocloo, Della Russel (26 January 2017). "'Sir John' to head G.P.H.A. as Director General". Graphic Online. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  6. "Kwabena Agyepong to oust 'Sir John'". GhanaWeb. 23 March 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  7. "I'll consider contesting NPP General Secretary position — Sir John". Graphic Online. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  8. Mensah, Kent (14 March 2017). "Sir John appointed Forestry Commission CEO". Starr Fm. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  9. Kumsah, Clement Edward (15 March 2017). "Why I rejected GPHA appointment – Sir John". Prime News Ghana. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  10. Obour, Samuel (15 March 2015). "Why I rejected Akufo-Addo's Ports and Harbours job - Sir John makes mind-blowing confession". Yen.com.gh. Archived from the original on 31 December 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  11. "Sir John Moves Into Office". FCGhana.org. The Forestry Commission of Ghana. 24 April 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  12. "The Supreme Court versus Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie". GhanaDot.com. 8 July 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  13. Bokor, Michael J. K. (11 July 2013). "The Supreme Court versus Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie". News Ghana. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  14. Bokor, Michael J. K. (8 July 2013). "The Supreme Court versus Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  15. Frimpong, Enoch Darfah (14 August 2013). "Bad spirits caused Sir John to commit contempt – Ayikoi Otoo". Graphic Online. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  16. "Supreme Court fines Sir John, Hopeson". Ghana News Agency. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  17. "Former NPP General Secretary, Sir John dies after contracting COVID-19". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  18. "Akufo-Addo: I received news of Sir John's death 'with great shock and deep sadness'". Graphic Online. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  19. "Hundreds troop to Sakora-Wonoo for Sir John's burial". Business Ghana. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  20. Donkor, Stephen (6 May 2021). "Did Sir John demand a 'House Tomb'?". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
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