Emmanuel Owuraku Amofah (born 8 February 1956; sometimes written as Amofa) is a Ghanaian politician and lawyer from Kibi who served as a member of the Parliament of Ghana for Abuakwa Central constituency from 1992 to 1996. He is a former deputy communication minister and deputy tourism minister. In 1992, he founded the Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere (EGLE) party. As a lawyer, he has worked in New York City as the CEO of Parking Ticket Busters, a ticket-broker business, as an attorney at Amofah Law Firm and as a one-time administrative law judge at the city's Parking Violations Bureau.[1]
Owuraku Amofah | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Abuakwa Central | |
| In office 7 January 1993 – 6 January 1997 | |
| Succeeded by | Nana Akufo-Addo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Emmanuel Owuraku Amofah 8 February 1956 Kibi, Gold Coast |
| Political party | NDC (2002–2008, since 2014) |
| Other political affiliations | EGLE (until 2000) NPP (2008–2014) |
| Children | Several, including Desmond |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Amofah studied law in America and was involved in Ghana's politics, serving as a Deputy of Tourism under President Jerry Rawlings. In 2000, he had an argument with Rawlings over failing to choose Obed Asamoah as a running mate. Asamoah was rumored to have taken money from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) so that Amofah could have a position in the government. During the confrontation, Amofah allegedly slammed the door on Rawlings' fingers, injuring him. As a result, Amofah went into a self-imposed exile in the US, where he became a Magistrate Judge in Staten Island, New York.[2] His membership in EGLE lapsed, while he was out of the country shortly after. Amofah would later join the NDC in 2002 before leaving the party in 2008.
In 2013, he returned to Ghana as a member of the New Patriotic Party, where he supported his uncle Nana Akufo-Addo for a position in the government. However, when Akufo-Addo was running for president, he later changed his stance and claimed that Akufo-Addo would "be the worst President for Ghana."[3] Amofah rejoined the NDC in 2014, and was supporting John Mahama's bid for presidency in the 2016 Ghanaian general election.[4]
Children
editAmofah is the father of multiple children, including sons Randy and Desmond Amofah. Randy died on 31 October 2010 from an asthma attack.[5] Desmond was an American YouTube personality and online streamer who was better known by his online alias "Etika".[6] Desmond was reported missing on June 20, 2019, and his body was recovered on June 25; his death was declared a suicide by drowning.[7][8][9]
Education
editHe attended the University of Ghana, where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree, before proceeding to the Ghana School of Law to become a barrister. He then relocated abroad and attended Brooklyn Law School, subsequently practicing law in the country.
References
edit- ^ Starrfmonline.com (8 June 2016). "I don't regret supporting Nana Addo – Owuraku Amofa". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ Ruha, Genevieve (16 September 2013). "Owuraku Amofa". GhanaNation.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ peacefmonline.com (22 November 2016). "Akufo-Addo destroyed his family's good work - Owuraku Amofa". ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
- ^ "I don't regret supporting Nana Addo – Owuraku Amofa". ghanaweb.com. GhanaWeb. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ Bicks, Emily (25 June 2019). "Etika's Older Brother Randy Amofah Died in 2010". Heavy.com. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
- ^ "Former Dept minister's son, Desmond Amofah, found dead in Manhattan". Graphic Online. 26 June 2019.
- ^ Alanne Orjoux (July 2019). "YouTuber Etika died by suicide, medical examiner says". CNN. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
- ^ "Etika: Body found in search is missing YouTuber". BBC News. 25 June 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
- ^ Jacobo, Julia (26 June 2019). "YouTube gaming personality Desmond 'Etika' Amofah's died by suicide, officials say". ABC News. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
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