Aaron Mike Oquaye
Encyclopedia
Aaron Mike Oquaye is a Ghana
ian politician who has been the Second Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana
since 2009. A member of the New Patriotic Party
, he was Ghana's High Commissioner
to India
from 2001 to 2004, then Minister of Energy from 2005 to 2006 and Minister of Communications
from 2006 to 2009.
, Accra
to E. G. N Oquaye of Osu and Felicia Awusika Abla Oquaye (née Azu) of Odumase-Krobo. He was brought up at Asamankese
in the Eastern Region, where he attended the Roman Catholic Primary School and Presbyterian Middle School before proceeding to Presbyterian Boys' Secondary
(PRESEC), at Odumase-Krobo, and Apam Secondary School.
Oquaye's father, E.G.N. Oquaye, had been a founding member of the United Gold Coast Convention
(UGCC) at Asamankese
. He was also treasurer and principal financier of the UGCC, Gold Coast Party (GCP), National Liberation Movement
(NLM) and United Party
(UP) at Asamankese. When Oquaye was a child, his family received political figures and dignitaries such as Dr. J. B. Danquah
and Prof. Kofi Abrefa Busia
as guests at their home. While the Okyenhene
, Nana Ofori Atta II, was in exile in Accra, he was also a regular visitor to the Oquaye family home in Asamankese.
Oquaye is a Baptist
Minister, and is married to Alberta Oquaye (née Asafu-Adjei), a senior professional nurse.
and later the University of London
, at Lincoln's Inn
, London
. He holds B.A. (Hons.) Political Science, L.L.B. (Hons.), B.L. and PhD. He is a qualified solicitor and barrister, as well as the founder and senior partner of his own law firm. He is a barrister of the Supreme Court of England and Wales, a senior member of the Ghana Bar Association
, and a solicitor for some leading companies and financial institutions.
at the University of Ghana
, Legon
, and was previously the Head of the Department of Political Science and member of the University's Academic Board, the highest authority at the level of the faculties. He received his Ph.D from School of Oriental and African Studies
in London
, as well as winning the Rockefeller Senior Scholar Award in 1993 and the Senior Fulbright Scholar Award in 1997. He has been a visiting lecturer at George Mason University
in Virginia
. From 1997 to 1999, he was Vice-President of the African Association of Political Science (AAPS), based in Zimbabwe.
. He is the author of the award-winning book Politics in Ghana - 1972-1979, in which he depicts, inter-alia, the military as the bane of Government and Politics in Africa and recounted instances of human right abuses, conflictual politics, economic mismanagement and national decadence. He wrote a second volume, Politics in Ghana - 1982-1992, dealing with the politics of revolution, CDRs, Public Tribunals, popular power, positive defiance and human rights issues of the period. His scholarly write-ups have been published in international journals such as Human Rights Quarterly
(US), Journal of Commonwealth and Comparative Politics (UK), African Affairs
(UK), and Review of Human Factor Studies (Canada).
/Kofi Abrefa Busia
cause. He strongly supported Busia's call for quick return to civilian rule to prevent the militarization of the state and, along with his family, helped to establish the Progress Party
in Osu in 1969.
The United Party-Progress Party tradition led to the foundation, in 1992, of the New Patriotic Party
(NPP), with Oquaye as a founder member. He was the first Regional Secretary of NPP for Greater Accra in 1992, and also the first Chairman of the Party for the Ga District
Rural Constituency, which later split into Ga West District
and Ga East District
. He was the secretary of the Research Committee and a member of the first National Campaign Team of the NPP in the third quarter of 1992.
He worked with other central NPP figures, including President John Kufuor
, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
, R. R. Amponsah
, Prof. Adu-Boahen, Peter Ala Adjetey
, B. J. da Rocha and Odoi Sykes to campaign successfully for the NPP victory in the 2000 general elections
. His role in the party's success, which involved journalistic contributions and involvement in other activities of the party between 1993 and 2000, is considered significant.
From 2001 to 2004, Oquaye served as Ghana's High Commissioner
to India
. In February 2005 he became Minister of Energy, and later he was moved to the post of Minister of Communications
.
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
ian politician who has been the Second Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana
Parliament of Ghana
The Parliament of Ghana is the legislative body of the Ghanaian government.-History:Legislative representation in Ghana dates back to 1850, when the country was a British colony. The body, called the Legislative Council, was purely advisory as the Governor exercised all legislative and executive...
since 2009. A member of the New Patriotic Party
New Patriotic Party
-External links:*...
, he was Ghana's High Commissioner
High Commissioner (Commonwealth)
In the Commonwealth of Nations, a High Commissioner is the senior diplomat in charge of the diplomatic mission of one Commonwealth government to another.-History:...
to India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
from 2001 to 2004, then Minister of Energy from 2005 to 2006 and Minister of Communications
Minister of Communications
The Communications Minister of Pakistan heads the Ministry of Communications. He serves in the cabinet of the Prime Minister. The Minister is required to be a member of Parliament.-List of Communications Ministers of Pakistan:-See also:...
from 2006 to 2009.
Family background and education
Oquaye was born in OsuOsu, Ghana
Located about 3 km east of the CBD, Osu is a district in central Accra, Ghana, known for its busy commercial, restaurant and nightlife activity. It is locally known as the 'West End' of Accra. Bounded to the south by the Gulf of Guinea, Osu's western boundary is the Independence Avenue...
, Accra
Accra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
to E. G. N Oquaye of Osu and Felicia Awusika Abla Oquaye (née Azu) of Odumase-Krobo. He was brought up at Asamankese
Asamankese
Asmankese is a town situated in the Eastern Region of Ghana. It has a population of approximately 34,000 people. It is on the main highway between the two biggest cities of Accra on the coast and Kumasi in the interior. It is the second capital town of the Eastern Region and it is the capital town...
in the Eastern Region, where he attended the Roman Catholic Primary School and Presbyterian Middle School before proceeding to Presbyterian Boys' Secondary
Presbyterian Boys' Secondary
The Presbyterian Boys' Secondary School is a prestigious all-male academic institution founded in 1938. It was originally located at Odumase - Krobo in the Eastern Region of Ghana...
(PRESEC), at Odumase-Krobo, and Apam Secondary School.
Oquaye's father, E.G.N. Oquaye, had been a founding member of the United Gold Coast Convention
United Gold Coast Convention
The United Gold Coast Convention was a political party whose aim was to bring about Ghanaian independence from British rule after the Second World War....
(UGCC) at Asamankese
Asamankese
Asmankese is a town situated in the Eastern Region of Ghana. It has a population of approximately 34,000 people. It is on the main highway between the two biggest cities of Accra on the coast and Kumasi in the interior. It is the second capital town of the Eastern Region and it is the capital town...
. He was also treasurer and principal financier of the UGCC, Gold Coast Party (GCP), National Liberation Movement
National Liberation Movement (Ghana)
The National Liberation Movement was a Ghanaian political party formed in 1954. Set up by disaffected Ashanti members of the Convention People's Party, who were joined by Kofi Abrefa Busia, the NLM opposed the process of centralization whilst supporting a continuing role for traditional leaders....
(NLM) and United Party
United Party (Ghana)
The United Party was the main opposition party in the First Republic of Ghana. It was the only opposition party throughout its existence from 1957 until 1964 when Ghana became a one party state.-Formation:...
(UP) at Asamankese. When Oquaye was a child, his family received political figures and dignitaries such as Dr. J. B. Danquah
J. B. Danquah
Nana Joseph Kwame Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah was a Ghanaian statesman, pan-Africanist, scholar and historian. He played a significant role in pre and post colonial Ghana. In fact, he is credited with giving Ghana its name...
and Prof. Kofi Abrefa Busia
Kofi Abrefa Busia
Kofi Abrefa Busia was Prime Minister of Ghana from 1969–72. He was born in Wenchi, in the then British colony of Gold Coast . He was educated at Methodist School, Wenchi, Mfantsipim School, Cape Coast, then at Wesley College, Kumasi from 1931–32. He later became a teacher at Achimota Secondary...
as guests at their home. While the Okyenhene
Okyenhene
Okyenhene is the title of His Royal Majesty, the king of Akyem Abuakwa, an ancient powerful kingdom in the Eastern Region of Ghana...
, Nana Ofori Atta II, was in exile in Accra, he was also a regular visitor to the Oquaye family home in Asamankese.
Oquaye is a Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
Minister, and is married to Alberta Oquaye (née Asafu-Adjei), a senior professional nurse.
Legal career
Having obtained the GCE "O" and "A" Level Certificates, he entered the University of GhanaUniversity of Ghana
The University of Ghana is the oldest and largest of the thirteen Ghanaian universities and tertiary institutions. It is one of the best universities in Africa and by far the most prestigious in West Africa...
and later the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
, at Lincoln's Inn
Lincoln's Inn
The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn is one of four Inns of Court in London to which barristers of England and Wales belong and where they are called to the Bar. The other three are Middle Temple, Inner Temple and Gray's Inn. Although Lincoln's Inn is able to trace its official records beyond...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He holds B.A. (Hons.) Political Science, L.L.B. (Hons.), B.L. and PhD. He is a qualified solicitor and barrister, as well as the founder and senior partner of his own law firm. He is a barrister of the Supreme Court of England and Wales, a senior member of the Ghana Bar Association
Ghana Bar Association
The Ghana Bar Association is a professional association of lawyers in Ghana, including what used to be called solicitors and barristers but are now called legal practitioners, as well as magistrates....
, and a solicitor for some leading companies and financial institutions.
Academic career
He is a professor of Political sciencePolitical science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
at the University of Ghana
University of Ghana
The University of Ghana is the oldest and largest of the thirteen Ghanaian universities and tertiary institutions. It is one of the best universities in Africa and by far the most prestigious in West Africa...
, Legon
Legon
Legon, a suburb of the Ghanaian capital city Accra, is situated about twelve kilometres north-east of the city center. Legon is home to the main campus of the University of Ghana. The word "Legon" is derived from the indigenous Ga language of the people of Greater Accra; NI-LEY GON therefore "Hill...
, and was previously the Head of the Department of Political Science and member of the University's Academic Board, the highest authority at the level of the faculties. He received his Ph.D from School of Oriental and African Studies
School of Oriental and African Studies
The School of Oriental and African Studies is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the University of London...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, as well as winning the Rockefeller Senior Scholar Award in 1993 and the Senior Fulbright Scholar Award in 1997. He has been a visiting lecturer at George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. From 1997 to 1999, he was Vice-President of the African Association of Political Science (AAPS), based in Zimbabwe.
Writings and advocacy
Oquaye is a renowned writer, who has researched and written extensively on good governance, conflicts, political education, decentralization and development, human rights, military intervention in politics, NGOs, rural development and gender issues. He advocates women's rights, including affirmative actionAffirmative action
Affirmative action refers to policies that take factors including "race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national origin" into consideration in order to benefit an underrepresented group, usually as a means to counter the effects of a history of discrimination.-Origins:The term...
. He is the author of the award-winning book Politics in Ghana - 1972-1979, in which he depicts, inter-alia, the military as the bane of Government and Politics in Africa and recounted instances of human right abuses, conflictual politics, economic mismanagement and national decadence. He wrote a second volume, Politics in Ghana - 1982-1992, dealing with the politics of revolution, CDRs, Public Tribunals, popular power, positive defiance and human rights issues of the period. His scholarly write-ups have been published in international journals such as Human Rights Quarterly
Human Rights Quarterly
Human Rights Quarterly is a quarterly academic journal established in 1979 covering human rights. The journal is intended for scholars and policymakers and follows recent developments from both governments and non-governmental organizations. It includes research in policy analysis, book reviews,...
(US), Journal of Commonwealth and Comparative Politics (UK), African Affairs
African Affairs
African Affairs is a peer-reviewed academic journal published quarterly by Oxford University Press on behalf of the London-based Royal African Society. The journal covers any Africa-related topic: political, social, economic, environmental and historical...
(UK), and Review of Human Factor Studies (Canada).
Political career
As a student at the University of Ghana, Oquaye joined the campaign for the J. B. DanquahJ. B. Danquah
Nana Joseph Kwame Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah was a Ghanaian statesman, pan-Africanist, scholar and historian. He played a significant role in pre and post colonial Ghana. In fact, he is credited with giving Ghana its name...
/Kofi Abrefa Busia
Kofi Abrefa Busia
Kofi Abrefa Busia was Prime Minister of Ghana from 1969–72. He was born in Wenchi, in the then British colony of Gold Coast . He was educated at Methodist School, Wenchi, Mfantsipim School, Cape Coast, then at Wesley College, Kumasi from 1931–32. He later became a teacher at Achimota Secondary...
cause. He strongly supported Busia's call for quick return to civilian rule to prevent the militarization of the state and, along with his family, helped to establish the Progress Party
Progress Party (Ghana)
The Progress Party was the ruling party in Ghana during the Second Republic . In the 29 August 1969 elections, the PP won 105 of the National Assembly's 140 seats....
in Osu in 1969.
The United Party-Progress Party tradition led to the foundation, in 1992, of the New Patriotic Party
New Patriotic Party
-External links:*...
(NPP), with Oquaye as a founder member. He was the first Regional Secretary of NPP for Greater Accra in 1992, and also the first Chairman of the Party for the Ga District
Ga District
Ga was a former district of Greater Accra Region, Ghana. It has since been divided into the Ga East District and the Ga West District.The Ga District is divided in different sub-areas...
Rural Constituency, which later split into Ga West District
Ga West District
The Ga West District is one of the six districts in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana....
and Ga East District
Ga East District
The Ga East District is a district of Ghana in the Greater Accra Region. It is one of the 28 newly created districts and is located to the northwest of the region. It is bordered on the north by the Akuapim South District in the Eastern Region of Ghana. It is bordered on its other three sides by...
. He was the secretary of the Research Committee and a member of the first National Campaign Team of the NPP in the third quarter of 1992.
He worked with other central NPP figures, including President John Kufuor
John Kufuor
John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor was the second president of the 4th Republic of Ghana and Chairperson of the African Union...
, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is a Ghanaian lawyer and politician. He was one of the founding members of the centrist New Patriotic Party in 1992, and was also the founder and first chairperson of the Ghana Committee on Human and People's Rights...
, R. R. Amponsah
Reginald Reynolds Amponsah
Reginald Reynolds Amponsah was a potter and politician in Ghana. He was a Minister of State in the Busia government.-Education:...
, Prof. Adu-Boahen, Peter Ala Adjetey
Peter Ala Adjetey
Peter Ala Adjetey was the Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana from 2001 to 2005.-Early life:Peter Ala Adjetey was born on August 11, 1931 at Accra, the capital of Ghana. He obtained his basic education at St. Paul's School at La, a suburb of Accra and the Accra Bishop Boys' School. His secondary...
, B. J. da Rocha and Odoi Sykes to campaign successfully for the NPP victory in the 2000 general elections
Ghanaian parliamentary election, 2000
The Ghanaian parliamentary election was held on 7 December 2000. Presidential elections were held on the same day with a second round on 28 December 2000. 62% of registered voters turned out for the elections...
. His role in the party's success, which involved journalistic contributions and involvement in other activities of the party between 1993 and 2000, is considered significant.
From 2001 to 2004, Oquaye served as Ghana's High Commissioner
High Commissioner (Commonwealth)
In the Commonwealth of Nations, a High Commissioner is the senior diplomat in charge of the diplomatic mission of one Commonwealth government to another.-History:...
to India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. In February 2005 he became Minister of Energy, and later he was moved to the post of Minister of Communications
Minister of Communications
The Communications Minister of Pakistan heads the Ministry of Communications. He serves in the cabinet of the Prime Minister. The Minister is required to be a member of Parliament.-List of Communications Ministers of Pakistan:-See also:...
.
Written works
- Politics in Ghana 1982-1992 - (Academic Literature, 2005)
- Democracy, Politics and Conflict Resolution in Contemporary Ghana - (Academic Literature, Gold-Type Publication, 1995)
As editor
- The Ghanaian elections of 1992 - A dissenting view (Journal Article, African Affairs, 1995)