Kojo Botsio
Encyclopedia
Kojo Botsio was a Ghana
ian diplomat
and politician
. He studied in Britain, where he became the treasurer of the West African National Secretariat
and an acting warden for the West African Students' Union
. He served as his country's foreign minister
twice in the government of Kwame Nkrumah
and was a leading figure in the ruling Convention People's Party
(CPP).
, Cape Coast
and then the Achimota College in Accra
. He proceeded to Sierra Leone
, where he obtained his first degree from the Fourah Bay University College
, the only university
in West Africa
at the time. He then went to the United Kingdom
in 1945, where he attended the Brasenose College, Oxford University. He was awarded a post-graduate degree in Geography and Education there.
and the London City Council Secondary School in the United Kingdom. Mr Botsio was also once Vice-Principal of the Abuakwa State College at Kibi
in Ghana.
, prior to independence. His ministerial appointments include Social Welfare, Transport and Communications, Agriculture, Trade and Development. He was appointed Foreign minister twice, between 1958 and 1959 and then from 1963 to 1965.
s.
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 diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He studied in Britain, where he became the treasurer of the West African National Secretariat
West African National Secretariat
The West African National Secretariat was a Pan-Africanist movement founded by Kwame Nkrumah, based in Britain.Nkrumah founded WANS in December 1945, immediately following the Manchester Pan-African Congress, becoming the new organisation's Secretary-General. Other founder members included I. T. A...
and an acting warden for the West African Students' Union
West African Students' Union
The West African Students' Union was an association of students from various West African countries who were studying in the United Kingdom.-Origins:...
. He served as his country's foreign minister
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
twice in the government of Kwame Nkrumah
Kwame Nkrumah
Kwame Nkrumah was the leader of Ghana and its predecessor state, the Gold Coast, from 1952 to 1966. Overseeing the nation's independence from British colonial rule in 1957, Nkrumah was the first President of Ghana and the first Prime Minister of Ghana...
and was a leading figure in the ruling Convention People's Party
Convention People's Party
The Convention People's Party is a socialist political party in Ghana, based on the ideas of former President Kwame Nkrumah.The CPP was formed in 1949 by Kwame Nkrumah to campaign for the independence of the Gold Coast. It ruled Ghana from 1957 to 1966...
(CPP).
Early life and education
Kojo Botsio attended Adisadel CollegeAdisadel College
Adisadel College is an Anglican school for boys in Cape Coast, Ghana, modelled on the English public school.-History:Adisadel was established in 1910 in a building at Topp Yard, near Christ Church and Cape Coast Castle...
, Cape Coast
Cape Coast
Cape Coast, or Cabo Corso, is the capital of the Central Region of Ghana and is also the capital city of the Fante people, or Mfantsefo. It is situated 165 km west of Accra on the Gulf of Guinea. It has a population of 82,291 . From the 16th century the city has changed hands between the...
and then the Achimota College in 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...
. He proceeded to Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
, where he obtained his first degree from the Fourah Bay University College
Fourah Bay College
Fourah Bay College is the oldest university college in West Africa. It is located atop Mount Aureol in Freetown, Sierra Leone...
, the only university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
in West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
at the time. He then went to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1945, where he attended the Brasenose College, Oxford University. He was awarded a post-graduate degree in Geography and Education there.
Career
Botsio was a teacher at the St. Augustine's CollegeSt. Augustine's College , Cape Coast
The St. Augustine’s College is an all-male academic institution in Cape Coast, Ghana. The school is on old Elmina road and is near the University of Cape Coast, at the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. The school started at Amissano, a village near Elmina, in 1930...
and the London City Council Secondary School in the United Kingdom. Mr Botsio was also once Vice-Principal of the Abuakwa State College at Kibi
Kibi
Kibi may refer to:* kibi, one of the binary prefixes for units of digital information* Kibi District, Okayama is a district located in Okayama Prefecture, Japan...
in Ghana.
Politics
Kojo Botsio was the first minister of Education in the Nkrumah governmentNkrumah government
Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was the first Prime Minister and first President of Ghana.-Nkrumah's first independence government :Nkrumah had run governments under the supervision of the British government through Charles Arden-Clarke, the Governor-General. His first government under colonial rule started...
, prior to independence. His ministerial appointments include Social Welfare, Transport and Communications, Agriculture, Trade and Development. He was appointed Foreign minister twice, between 1958 and 1959 and then from 1963 to 1965.
Family
Kojo Botsio was married to Ruth Whittaker. They had two children, Kojo and Merene, both barristerBarrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
s.