Top 10 Ghanaian statesmen/women of the decade whose selfless contributions must not escape recognition

Although some have joined their ancestors, there are still some living statesmen and women who must not escape mention in telling the Ghana story.

In no particular order, the following Ghanaians deserve recognition for their contributions over the past decade to the Ghana we see today.

1. The Chief Imam of Ghana Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu is an Islamic cleric, member of the National Peace Council and founder of The SONSETFund and IPASEC.

He is undoubtedly a man of integrity who is respected by most Ghanaians for his love for peace.

He can be credited partly for the cordial relationship that exists between the Islamic religion which he leads in Ghana and Christianity.

He does not hesitate to put governments on their toes when they appear to be backsliding, and politicians respect and listen to him.

2. Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei is the UN International Elections Commissioner, a Ghanaian lawyer and former chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana from 2015 until she was dismissed in June 2018 on grounds of financial malfeasance.

Her appointment as chairperson for the Electoral Commission triggered attacks from some politicians who made demeaning allegations against her person without any proof.

Despite all the controversies, her handling of the election 2016 and the fact that she honestly pronounced president Akufo Addo winner of the election against John Mahama who appointed her blew the minds of her critics.

What earned her more respect was her calmness after she was removed from office on grounds of financial malfeasance.

Instead of challenging the finding of the Chief Justice’s enquiry based on which she was dismissed, she chose to remain calm until her latest appointment as UN International Elections Commissioner.

3. John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor KCB is a Ghanaian politician who served as the President of Ghana from 7 January 2001 to 7 January 2009. He was also Chairperson of the African Union from 2007 to 2008.

Taking over from Jerry John Rawlings’ military regime after the inception of democracy, he managed to soothe the atmosphere and laid a good foundation for other civilian administrations.

He is one of the former presidents respected for his statesmanship and how he tries to champion patriotism and nationalism without necessarily prioritizing his party’s interest.

4. Jerry John Rawlings is a former Ghanaian military leader and politician who ruled the country from 1981 to 2001 and also for a brief period in 1979. He led a military junta until 1992 and then served two terms as the democratically elected President of Ghana.

Yes, most people fault him for some of Ghana’s ugly pasts but the fact that he eventually adopted democracy and constitutional rule which has earned the country enviable respect in the sight of the globe, he deserves commendation, especially considering what pertains in some other African countries till date.

Rawlings is one of Ghana’s statesmen whose voice elicits action from policymakers as he speaks his mind regardless of whichever government is in power.

He is notorious for criticizing his own New Democratic Congress when they go on a tangent he believes is not in the interest of the nation.

5. Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan is a Ghanaian academic, political scientist and election administrator. He was Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Ghana from 1993 to 2015 when he retired.

Afari Gyan headed the Electoral Commission 12 solid years and executed three elections successfully which saw successive governments exchange hands, making Ghana a beacon of democracy in Africa.

The job of the electoral commission is not an enviable one due to its burdensomeness but Afari-Gyan combined both seriousness and humour in carrying out electoral activities in such a way that when the political atmosphere is charged and players are on tenterhooks, he does not bow to pressure.

He is a true statesman whose contribution to Ghana’s democracy cannot be underestimated.

6. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is the 16th Asantehene and has been in power since 26 April 1999. By name, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is in direct succession to the 17th-century co-founder of the Ashanti Empire, Otumfuo Osei Tutu I. He is also the Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

He wields so much power but does not throw it about just for showmanship. Instead, he utilizes his influence to restore peace in war-torn areas of the country.

His contribution to the peace and stability is not in question at all, and the latest one is the role he played in restoring peace in Dagbon in the Northern part of the country after years of disputes that claimed many lives.

He is also another strong voice that is respected by both politicians and other civilians when he speaks on national issues.

Although traditional leadership has more or less lost its footing due to the adoption of modern democracy, his kingdom is one of those that have stood the test of time and remain standing.

 7. Nana Aba Anamoh is a Ghanaian award-winning media personality, news anchor and broadcaster. She hosted the top shows on TV3 including the Diva Show. Anamoah was the information presenter until her suspension and resignation. She is currently the news editor and host of State of Affairs at GHOne TV.

She has made it into this list of statesmen/women of the decade due to her influence which she uses to the advantage of the society. She has been the voice for the voiceless and solicited help for the less privileged especially children and other vulnerable people in Ghana.

The latest of what she used her social media influence to achieve for Ghana was the help she managed to get for a visually impaired girl who has equally been suffering whole-in-heart.

A solo campaign she launched got the attention of the first lady Rebecca Akufo Addo who is reported to have taken charge of the girl’s medical treatment, as well as other benevolent individuals and organisations who came to the aid of the poor youngster.

Undoubtedly, she has contributed immensely to the Ghanaian society over the years and will hopefully continue the good work.

8. Rev professor Emmanuel Asante is a Ghanaian academic, theologian and priest. He served as the third Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana from 2009 to 2015.[1] He is the chairman of the Ghana Peace Council.

He is a respected man of God whose name has become a household name synonymous with peace because he is a man of peace.

The peace council which he heads has played relevant roles in times of high political tension and chieftaincy disputes.

The Reverend professor is always vociferous in condemning violence and calling political parties and their supporters to order when they get carried away.

He is currently leading a process aimed at eliminating political party militias which politicians have euphemised as vigilantism. Their activities are generally agreed to pose a serious security threat to the country’s maturing democracy, and all eyes are watching and fingers crossed to see how the peace council will ensure the development does not mar the forthcoming 2020 elections.

9. Anas Aremeyaw Anas, better known as Anas, is a 41-year-old Ghanaian investigative journalist born in the late 1970s.

He has become famous globally as a result of some shocking and life-threatening undercover investigations that caused changes in various sectors of the society here in Ghana and other countries.

His works focus mainly on unearthing corruption and crime within society.

One of his biggest revelations in Ghana which has caused a huge controversy was his ‘number 12’ documentary which more or less resulted in the toppling of the Ghana football association which is still undergoing ‘reconstruction’.

Before that, one of his investigations also led to a massive cleanup of the country’s judicial system as some judges got dismissed for corrupt acts they were caught on tape engaging in.

In fact, Anas’ contribution to the Ghanaian society and beyond is massive, and it is no surprise that a section of the society is fighting him, with the aim to silencing him.

10. Joyce Rosalind Aryee, also known as "Auntie Joyce", is Ghanaian former politician, reverend minister and business person. Aryee is recognized for having served Ghana for more than 40 years in both the public and private sectors. She is the previous Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines and was the first woman in Africa to have held that role. She has also held political roles in Ghana from the early years of the PNDC government. She is currently the Executive Director of Salt and Light Ministries, a para-church organization.

There is no question about Dr Joyce Aryee’s contribution to Ghana’s stride to success. She is one of the respected women in Ghana and a strong feminist who the younger generation looks up to.