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 (1956)
Kofi Baako in 1958
5th Minister for Defence (Ghana)
In office
September 1961 (1961-09) – February 1966 (1966-02)
PresidentKwame Nkrumah
Preceded byCharles de Graft Dickson
Succeeded byJoseph Arthur Ankrah
ConstituencySaltpond
Minister for Information and Broadcasting
In office
1 August 1957 (1957-08-01) – 1959 (1959)
PresidentKwame Nkrumah
ConstituencySaltpond
Personal details
Born1926 (1926)
Died1984 (aged 57–58)
Political partyConvention People's Party
Other political
affiliations
United Gold Coast Convention
ChildrenKweku Baako Jnr

Early life and education

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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

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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

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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

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Baako had four children. One of them, Kweku Baako Jnr is a journalist and editor of the New Crusading Guide newspaper.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The New Ghana, Volume 7". Ghana Information Services Department. 1962: 21. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ a b "The Shadow of the Sun". Books excerpt. The New York Times on the web. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "Past Ministers". Official website. Ghana Armed Forces. Archived from the original on 8 April 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  6. ^ "Kudos Nduom!! Leave The Crazy Bald Heads To Stew In Their Hypocricy [sic]". ModernGhana.com. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
Political offices
Preceded by Minister for Defence
1961 – 1966
Succeeded by
Preceded by
?
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs
? – ?
Succeeded by
?
Preceded by Minister for Education and Information
1958 – ?
Succeeded by
Alfred Jonas Dowuona-Hammond
(Education and Social Welfare)