The Life and Times of Jones Clifford Akosa
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JONES CLIFFORD AKOSA (1911-1992) AKOSUA SERWAA KOBIA (10363149) THIS THESIS IS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF M.A DEGREE IN AFRICAN STUDIES JUNE, 2013. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DECLARATION I hereby declare that this dissertation is the result of my own effort; an output of a research undertaken under supervision. Quotations and references to scholarly works have duly been acknowledged. I also declare that this work has never been submitted to any other institution for the award of any degree or certificate. I am responsible for all omissions and commissions that may be identified with this study. Signature……………….. Date……………………. Akosua Serwaa Kobia (Student) Signature………………. Date………………………….. Professor Irene K. Odotei (Supervisor) Signature………………. Date…………………………… Dr. Richard Asante (Supervisor) ii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my husband, daughter, parents and siblings for their immense support, encouragement and prayers. iii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This work could not have been completed without the assistance and encouragement of a number of people. It is therefore right that I show appreciation to some of the people who motivated me. First of all, I thank the almighty God for His guidance and protection throughout the period of my studies. My profound appreciation also goes to all the Lecturers at the Institute of African Studies, especially my supervisors, Professor Irene K. Odotei and Dr. Richard Asante. I am also grateful to all my colleagues for their support. I wish to thank Mr. Samuel Fordjour and Kofi Badu for the time they spent with me on my numerous trips to Mampong. I would also like to acknowledge the support of all my in- laws during the period of my studies. iv University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ABSTRACT The writing of the biographies of people who have gone before us is an important duty. The writing of biographies helps the present generation to have an experience of the past. It also helps people to learn good behaviors and avoid bad ones. The underlying concept of the study was the trait leadership approach and the transformational leadership approach. The study was conducted using qualitative method of collecting data. Interviews were conducted with the family, relatives, elders of Mampong and some co- workers of Akosa. To avoid bias, information from the interviews were cross checked with information from the archives and published books. Jones Clifford Akosa was from Benim in the Sekyere district. He was a man of many parts. He was a politician, a philanthropist, and a chief. Akosa had humble beginnings but made it as an astute businessman. He acquired some wealth which he used to help people in his community. Akosa used his time, money, and skills to bring development to Mampong and its environs. He is believed to be the biggest philanthropist Mampong has ever seen. He used his resources to touch many who would have suffered in life. Many people are today enjoying the benefits of Akosa‟s philanthropic gestures. One of those he helped to educate is now a medical doctor. All that Akosa expected from those he helped was for them to also help others who were less fortunate. Akosa was one of the people that contributed to the success of the Convention Peoples Party in the Ashanti Region. During the clashes between the National Liberation Movement and the Convention Peoples Party, Akosa‟s properties were destroyed. He was rewarded for his dedication to the party in1959 when he was appointed the District Commissioner for the Sekyere District. Akosa, although not from the ruling class in Mampong, was deeply involved in v University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh chieftaincy issues in the town. He involved himself in the enstoolment and destoolment of chiefs. This was because he had the wealth, connections and skills needed in embarking on such activities. Akosa had his own vision for the town and any chief that did not help in the realization of the dream was removed. He finally became the chief of Benim. This was after several years of refusal to become the chief. His stool name was Nana Akosa Brempong when he became a chief in 1981. At this point in Akosa‟s life, he was quite old and so could not do much. The biography of such a great man needs to be written so that the young ones can learn from his good behaviour and avoid the mistakes he made. vi University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS N.L.M National Liberation Movement. C.P.P Convention Peoples Party. U.P United Party U.G.C.C United Gold Coast Convention Party. U.N.C United National Convention Party. P.D.A Preventive Detention Act. D.C District Commissioner. vii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh TABLE OF CONTENT Contents Page DECLARATION ............................................................................................................ ii DEDICATION .............................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................. iv ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................v LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ....................................................................................... vii TABLE OF CONTENT ............................................................................................... viii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Statement of the Problem ...........................................................................................3 1.2 Objectives of the Study ..............................................................................................5 1.3 Research Questions ....................................................................................................6 1.4 Significance of the Study ...........................................................................................6 1.5 Literature Review ......................................................................................................7 1.6 Methodology ........................................................................................................... 22 1.7 Sampling Technique ................................................................................................ 24 1.8 Organization of the Work......................................................................................... 24 CHAPTER TWO: THE EARLY LIFE AND BUSINESS ACTIVITIES OF JONES CLIFFORD AKOSA 2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 26 2.1 Birth of Akosa and the Politico-Economic situation in the Gold Coast ..................... 26 2.2 The Family Background of Akosa ............................................................................ 28 viii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 2.3 Akosa‟s Educational Life ......................................................................................... 30 2.4 Akosa, family life and Care...................................................................................... 31 2.5 Akosa and Trade ...................................................................................................... 34 2.6 Akosa and other business Ventures .......................................................................... 35 2.7 Akosa and Friends ................................................................................................... 39 2.8 Akosa and Music .................................................................................................... 39 CHAPTER THREE: AKOSA’S LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES IN HIS COMMUNITY 3.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 42 3.1 Akosa and Mampong Chieftaincy ............................................................................ 42 3.2 Installation as Chief of Benim ................................................................................. 50 3.3 Akosa and the United Gold Coast Convention Party ................................................ 51 3.4 Akosa and Political Tensions in Kumasi .................................................................. 52 3.5 Appointment as District Commissioner .................................................................... 54 3.6 Akosa‟s Arrest by the Military ................................................................................. 58 CHAPTER FOUR:INFLUENCES AND PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITIES OF AKOSA 4.1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 62 4.1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 62 4.1.1 Akan Culture ........................................................................................................ 62 4.1.2 Personal Experience .............................................................................................. 63 4.1.3 Importance of Education ....................................................................................... 64 4.1.4 The Need to Help People .....................................................................................