Kofi Wayo is a Ghanaian politician and businessman.
Kofi Wayo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Charles Eric Kofi Wayo 1955 Kofi Pare, Ghana |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Education | Albany High School, Georgia |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Title | Leader of United Renaissance Party |
| Political party | United Renaissance Party (URP) |
Early life and education
editWayo was born at Kofi Pare in the Eastern Region of Ghana around 1955. His parents were illiterate and so he is not certain of his date of birth.[1] His parents were Kwashie Akakpo, a cocoa farmer and soldier and his wife Dede Aku who hails from Doryumu in the Western Region. He was the first of ten children. The family moved to Nima, a suburb of Accra. The family was poor and he was a hawker in his childhood.[1] He started his primary education in the Eastern Region and continued at the Myahyong Middle Mixed School in Accra. He later left Ghana to join Captain Charles Simons, a friend of his father in Georgia, United States (USA) who subsequently adopted him. He attended Albany High School for four years.[2]
Work
editWayo settled in Detroit, Michigan, where he started with odd jobs such as washing cars. Later on, he started selling guns in the USA. He progressed to become an arms dealer. In 1988, he sold his guns trading company and went into the oil business.[2]
Politics
editWayo on his return to Ghana, was opposed to the sitting president of Ghana, Jerry Rawlings. He thus supported the main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He claimed he wanted to support the President, John Kufuor. He wanted to contest the Ayawaso East parliamentary seat but failed to be the NPP candidate. He also became disillusioned with the leadership of the NPP.[3] He left to join the People's National Convention (PNC) before finally leaving in frustration to form his own party, the United Renaissance Party (URP) in 2007.[4][5] He was the leader and candidate of the party for the position of President of Ghana.[6]
In 2017, Wayo announced that he was quitting politics and going into farming. He expressed disillusionment with the two largest political parties in the country, describing them as seeking their own selfish interests and said he would rather go into supporting and helping farmers.[7]
Since leaving politics, he has kept a very low profile and has not appeared in public much.[4][8]
Family
editWayo married twice. He has two daughters who were both born in the United States.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Halifax Ansah-Addo (15 March 2008). "KOFI WAYO•Cigar, Sex & Lies". modernghana.com. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ a b Nii Addokwei Moffat. "Eric Charles Kofi Wayo". ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Time With David interview with Kofi Wayo". YouTube. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ a b Abdul Razak Bawa (6 February 2024). "Where is 'Chuck' Kofi Wayo?". The Herald ghana. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Kofi Wayo: My government will commercialize guns". modernghana.com. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "United Renaissance Party-URP". ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Kofi Wayo 'resigns' from politics?". Graphic Online. Graphic Communications Group Ltd. 11 March 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ Kittoe, Napoleon Ato (30 August 2023). "Where Is Charles Kofi Wayo?". The Ghana Report. Retrieved 3 October 2024.