Info For Y'all Nana Sir Ofori Atta I (1881–1943), K.B.E: Peachy Nationalist, Educator, Traditional Ruler Together With 1 Of The Outstanding African Of His Generation
Nana Sir Ofori Atta I (1881–1943) was the Okyenhene or King of Akyem Abuakwa, 1 of the largest together with wealthiest kingdoms of the therefore Gold Coast Colony (now Ghana), from his election inwards 1912 until his move yesteryear inwards 1943.
He was a hitting personality together with without dubiousness an outstanding African of his generation inwards Gold Coast. As 1 of the few educated chiefs inwards the therefore Gold Coast Nana`s stewardship both inwards his tribal affairs together with inwards the full general politics of the Colony was exceptional. He was at 1 time a principal of his ain people, the acknowledged leader of his blood brother chiefs inwards the Colony together with the valued together with trusted advisor of the Government. His conviction to back upward his immature human being chiefs together with strengthening of the seat of chiefs inwards colonial authorities saw him colliding with the Gold Coast intelligentsia particularly with celebrated J eastward Casely-Hayford together with unopen to members of the Aborigines Right Protection Society (ARPS).
As a effect of this unopen to historians assault him every bit an ambitious principal together with a "colonialist stooge." However, his hardworking move inwards leading Gold coast Delegation including Dr Frederick Nanka-Bruce to petition British parliament inwards 1934 to forcefulness British Government to take away obnoxious laws together with need for official bulk of Africans on the legislative council, permanent African representative on the Governor`s executive council together with eligibility for non-chiefs to move every bit provincial members of the executive council proved that Nana indeed was non what his detractors perceived him to be.
Nana Sir Ofori Atta I (1881 - 1943, centre), Paramount Chief of the Gold Coast Colony, visits the Cadbury's chocolate factory, Bournville, Birmingham, tenth July 1928. (Photo yesteryear Crouch/Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Nana was an eminent authorization on colonial Blue Planet laws inwards the Legislative Council where he was showtime on the fiscal commission with Dr Frederick Nanka-Bruce. Nana Sir Ofori Atta`s oftentimes quoted tilt on the customary concept of ownership of Blue Planet inwards Republic of Ghana is: "I conceive that Blue Planet belongs to a vast menage unit of measurement of whom many are dead, a few are living together with countless host are silent unborn."
In 1927, Nana Ofori Atta was knighted or honored every bit a Knight of British Empire (KBE) for his hardworking move inwards authorities together with service to the Gold Coast Colony, He was thereafter known every bit Nana Sir Ofori Atta or Sir Ofori Atta.
Nana Ofori Atta was born at Akyem Abuakwa every bit a royal inwards 1881. He was educated inwards Basel Mission schools together with at its Akuapim-Akropong Seminary. After his successful completion of his Seminary education, he worked every bit a clerk, together with therefore served inwards the West African Frontier Force, fighting during the Yaa Asantewaa War.
Nana was afterward elected every bit an Omanhene of Akyem Abuakwa inwards 1912, together with he proceeded to became the 2d African fellow member of the Legislative Council inwards 1916 to stand upward for the Gold Coast, after George Kuntu Blankson. Nana used these privileged move every bit 1 of the few educated principal inwards the Colony to champion the movement of his people. He was the vocalisation for his immature human being chiefs together with cahmpion their move every bit legitimate leaders that stand upward for the people together with non the educated flat or the Gold Coast intelligentsia. As a historian F. M. Bourret succinctly summed it upward inwards his mass "Ghana, the Road to Independence, 1919-1957" Nana after becoming a fellow member of the Legislative Council "was to brand this destination of raising the seat of chiefs together with encouraging them to usual cooperation the principal achievement of his political career, which did non cease until his move yesteryear his move yesteryear inwards 1943."
Nana was also a real forceful vocalisation of the Gold Coast farmers. He criticized the Colonial Government for cheating the cocoa farmers inwards the mode they occupation scales to weigh their cocoa. "The planters felt that they could sell to a greater extent than cocoa together with at higher cost if they took over shipment of the crops themselves. They worked through 4 prominent chief- Ofori Atta I of Akyem Abuakwa, Chief Tackie Obile of Accra, Ofori Kuma II of Akwapim, together with Kwaku Boateng (grandfather of Baron, Lord Paul Boateng of Britain) of New Juaben who inwards 1918 chartered a boat for £20,000 for transportation cocoa from Accra to New York, French Republic or Liverpool. This organization worked good until 1924. In that year, the planters together with the chiefs entrusted the selling of a large consignment of cocoa inwards New York to an American called F. D. Stickler. Unfortunately this human being swindled them of £350,000 after selling the the product. This brought their organization for transportation together with marketing cocoa to an end." (See Francis Agbodeka "Ghana inwards the Twenthieth Century" page 94 or The Gold Coast Independent, August1, 1925).
Nana Ofori Atta was oftentimes suspicious of Gold Coast intelligentsia plotting to displace Chiefs out of politics. He saw the intelligentsia every bit ratifying Bills that sought to curtail the move of chiefs together with making room for the non-chiefs. Nana himself was also defendant of ratifying Bills that favors the British together with fighting against the involvement of Gold Coast intelligentsia whom he saw every bit a threat to his ability base. When Governor Frederick Guggisberg set out the novel constitution for the Gold Coast inwards May 1925, giving for the showtime fourth dimension the correct of the elected representation together with silent maintaining the large Provincial Council which constituted the Chiefs together with appointees of the British government, the Gold Coast elites became real angry against the constabulary whilst Nana Ofori Atta supported it. This created a serious friction betwixt the intelligentsia together with Nana Ofori Atta who believed inwards Governor Guggisberg words that the novel constitution`s retaining of "Provincial Councils are actually the breakwaters, defending our native constitutions, institutions, together with customs against the disintegrating waves of Western civilization....." Dr James Kwegyir Aggrey who witnessed the bitterness which the novel constitution has engendered betwixt the chiefs together with the intelligentsia (especially members of Aborigines Right Protection Society together with British West African Congress) wrote inwards the saltation of 1926 to his friend inwards America:
"The New Order inwards Council concerning the novel Legislative Council had stirred upward the hornets nest. Part of the people of the Eastern Province, particularly the educated, are against it... The paramount Chiefs of the Eastern Province... including Nana Ofori Atta I together with Konor Mate-Korle are heartily for it. The political atmosphere is charged!" (see Smith, Aggrey of Africa pp. 259-60)
But that was non oftentimes the case! In 1930 when the colonial authorities made several attempts to innovate local taxation, audio treasury systems, together with to a greater extent than efficient courts, 1 urban lawyer together with representative of the Legislative Council tried to block the bill. In his disgust Nana Ofori Atta said :"If i heed to these Barristers I oftentimes wonder what they actually intend of the chiefs. One twenty-four sixty minutes catamenia they volition state to the chiefs "You are Almighty God," together with the adjacent twenty-four sixty minutes catamenia the chiefs would non move worthy of abide by due to scavenger."
Nana Ofori Atta I sitting with his kra (soul/little boy) inwards from his him together with his junior blood brother Dr J B Danquah standing (first from left), when Gold Coast/Akyem delegation visited England inwards 1940,s
When the Colonial authorities introduced obnoxious laws that limit the inclusion of Africans inwards the Legislative Council, Nana pose his differences with the Gold Coast educated elites aside together with inwards 1934 led a Gold Coast Delegation that includes Dr Frederick Nanka Bruce together with G K Korsah (later Sir Kobina Arku Korsah, the showtime African Chief Justice of Ghana), the municipal representatives for Accra together with Cape Coast respectively every bit good every bit v representatives of Ashanti Province to London to petition the British Parliament to take away an unpopular Bills together with also inquire for full general constitutional reforms. The petition which they presented to the secretarial assistant of Blue Planet for the colonies inwards 1934 demanded for official bulk of Africans on the legislative council, permanent African representative on the Governor`s executive council together with eligibility for non-chiefs to move every bit provincial members of the executive council. Though Nana together with his delegation`s demands were non met, however, it gave impetus for Aborigines correct Protection Council to post its ain delegation to U.K. to press domicile to a greater extent than need volition saw the obnoxious bills withdrawn together with petition granted.
"Ofori Atta was the boy of a senior official of the palace; his woman nurture was the descendant of 1 of the founders of the kingdom.... Once inwards power, he was determined to supply Akyem Abuakwa to its onetime glory. His approach to politics was a mix of educational modernism together with aristocratic nepotism that gave every bit much importance to merit every bit it did to blood." He created a dynasty yesteryear privileging teaching both with his sons together with daughters, through ii paths, “one firmly rooted inwards a line organization for binding the Blue Planet yesteryear the traditionally sanctioned method of multiple wedlock together with the other rooted inwards his potent illustration for ‘modernisation’ together with ‘progress’.”
Apart from Governor Gordon Guggisberg, Dr James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey together with Fraser, Nana Ofori Atta tin forcefulness out move said to bring played a singularly instrumental move inwards the establishment of Achimota School or College (formerly Prince of Wales School), where close colonial Gold Coast leaders together with electrical flow prominent Ghanaian leaders schooled.
Nana Ofori Atta I waved a in conclusion goodbye to the Blue Planet of the living together with journeyed to his ancestors inwards August 21, 1943. He left behind an intelligent educated flat inwards his menage unit of measurement together with for woman nurture Ghana.
Nana was the blood brother of Dr. J. B. Danquah (a founder of the United Gold Coast Convention), together with the begetter of Aaron Ofori Atta (a Minister of Communications together with Minister of Local Government), William Ofori Atta (a Minister of Foreign Affairs, Presidential Candidate of the UNC), Dr Akwasi Amoako-Atta (Governor of Bank of Ghana), Dr Jones Ofori-Atta (Deputy Minister of Finance), together with Dr. Susannah Ofori Atta (the showtime woman individual physician inwards West Africa). He was the gramps of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Ghana's onetime Foreign Minister together with Presidential Candidate of the NPP inwards 2008 together with 2012.
Source Kweku Darko Ankrah (http://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.de/)
Nana Sir Ofori Atta I, Okyehene or Paramount Chief of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, Nationalist, Educator, 2d African fellow member of the Gold Coast Legislative Assembly together with a founding fellow member of Achimota School. Circa 1928. Courtesy http://www.npg.org.uk/
He was a hitting personality together with without dubiousness an outstanding African of his generation inwards Gold Coast. As 1 of the few educated chiefs inwards the therefore Gold Coast Nana`s stewardship both inwards his tribal affairs together with inwards the full general politics of the Colony was exceptional. He was at 1 time a principal of his ain people, the acknowledged leader of his blood brother chiefs inwards the Colony together with the valued together with trusted advisor of the Government. His conviction to back upward his immature human being chiefs together with strengthening of the seat of chiefs inwards colonial authorities saw him colliding with the Gold Coast intelligentsia particularly with celebrated J eastward Casely-Hayford together with unopen to members of the Aborigines Right Protection Society (ARPS).
Nana Sir Ofori I, KBE, King of Akyem Abuakwa together with 1 of the star politicians of the Gold Coast after his knighthood yesteryear Queen Elizabeth. Circa 1927
As a effect of this unopen to historians assault him every bit an ambitious principal together with a "colonialist stooge." However, his hardworking move inwards leading Gold coast Delegation including Dr Frederick Nanka-Bruce to petition British parliament inwards 1934 to forcefulness British Government to take away obnoxious laws together with need for official bulk of Africans on the legislative council, permanent African representative on the Governor`s executive council together with eligibility for non-chiefs to move every bit provincial members of the executive council proved that Nana indeed was non what his detractors perceived him to be.
Nana Sir Ofori Atta I (1881 - 1943, centre), Paramount Chief of the Gold Coast Colony, visits the Cadbury's chocolate factory, Bournville, Birmingham, tenth July 1928. (Photo yesteryear Crouch/Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Nana was an eminent authorization on colonial Blue Planet laws inwards the Legislative Council where he was showtime on the fiscal commission with Dr Frederick Nanka-Bruce. Nana Sir Ofori Atta`s oftentimes quoted tilt on the customary concept of ownership of Blue Planet inwards Republic of Ghana is: "I conceive that Blue Planet belongs to a vast menage unit of measurement of whom many are dead, a few are living together with countless host are silent unborn."
In 1927, Nana Ofori Atta was knighted or honored every bit a Knight of British Empire (KBE) for his hardworking move inwards authorities together with service to the Gold Coast Colony, He was thereafter known every bit Nana Sir Ofori Atta or Sir Ofori Atta.
His Royal Majesty Nana Sir Ofori Atta, KBE, King of Akyem Abuakwa State, Nationalist leader together with customary landownership expert. Circa June 22, 1928
Nana Ofori Atta was born at Akyem Abuakwa every bit a royal inwards 1881. He was educated inwards Basel Mission schools together with at its Akuapim-Akropong Seminary. After his successful completion of his Seminary education, he worked every bit a clerk, together with therefore served inwards the West African Frontier Force, fighting during the Yaa Asantewaa War.
Nana was afterward elected every bit an Omanhene of Akyem Abuakwa inwards 1912, together with he proceeded to became the 2d African fellow member of the Legislative Council inwards 1916 to stand upward for the Gold Coast, after George Kuntu Blankson. Nana used these privileged move every bit 1 of the few educated principal inwards the Colony to champion the movement of his people. He was the vocalisation for his immature human being chiefs together with cahmpion their move every bit legitimate leaders that stand upward for the people together with non the educated flat or the Gold Coast intelligentsia. As a historian F. M. Bourret succinctly summed it upward inwards his mass "Ghana, the Road to Independence, 1919-1957" Nana after becoming a fellow member of the Legislative Council "was to brand this destination of raising the seat of chiefs together with encouraging them to usual cooperation the principal achievement of his political career, which did non cease until his move yesteryear his move yesteryear inwards 1943."
His Royal Majesty Nana Sir William Ofori Atta, K.B.E, Omanhen of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area. Circa
Nana was also a real forceful vocalisation of the Gold Coast farmers. He criticized the Colonial Government for cheating the cocoa farmers inwards the mode they occupation scales to weigh their cocoa. "The planters felt that they could sell to a greater extent than cocoa together with at higher cost if they took over shipment of the crops themselves. They worked through 4 prominent chief- Ofori Atta I of Akyem Abuakwa, Chief Tackie Obile of Accra, Ofori Kuma II of Akwapim, together with Kwaku Boateng (grandfather of Baron, Lord Paul Boateng of Britain) of New Juaben who inwards 1918 chartered a boat for £20,000 for transportation cocoa from Accra to New York, French Republic or Liverpool. This organization worked good until 1924. In that year, the planters together with the chiefs entrusted the selling of a large consignment of cocoa inwards New York to an American called F. D. Stickler. Unfortunately this human being swindled them of £350,000 after selling the the product. This brought their organization for transportation together with marketing cocoa to an end." (See Francis Agbodeka "Ghana inwards the Twenthieth Century" page 94 or The Gold Coast Independent, August1, 1925).
Nana Ofori Atta was oftentimes suspicious of Gold Coast intelligentsia plotting to displace Chiefs out of politics. He saw the intelligentsia every bit ratifying Bills that sought to curtail the move of chiefs together with making room for the non-chiefs. Nana himself was also defendant of ratifying Bills that favors the British together with fighting against the involvement of Gold Coast intelligentsia whom he saw every bit a threat to his ability base. When Governor Frederick Guggisberg set out the novel constitution for the Gold Coast inwards May 1925, giving for the showtime fourth dimension the correct of the elected representation together with silent maintaining the large Provincial Council which constituted the Chiefs together with appointees of the British government, the Gold Coast elites became real angry against the constabulary whilst Nana Ofori Atta supported it. This created a serious friction betwixt the intelligentsia together with Nana Ofori Atta who believed inwards Governor Guggisberg words that the novel constitution`s retaining of "Provincial Councils are actually the breakwaters, defending our native constitutions, institutions, together with customs against the disintegrating waves of Western civilization....." Dr James Kwegyir Aggrey who witnessed the bitterness which the novel constitution has engendered betwixt the chiefs together with the intelligentsia (especially members of Aborigines Right Protection Society together with British West African Congress) wrote inwards the saltation of 1926 to his friend inwards America:
"The New Order inwards Council concerning the novel Legislative Council had stirred upward the hornets nest. Part of the people of the Eastern Province, particularly the educated, are against it... The paramount Chiefs of the Eastern Province... including Nana Ofori Atta I together with Konor Mate-Korle are heartily for it. The political atmosphere is charged!" (see Smith, Aggrey of Africa pp. 259-60)
But that was non oftentimes the case! In 1930 when the colonial authorities made several attempts to innovate local taxation, audio treasury systems, together with to a greater extent than efficient courts, 1 urban lawyer together with representative of the Legislative Council tried to block the bill. In his disgust Nana Ofori Atta said :"If i heed to these Barristers I oftentimes wonder what they actually intend of the chiefs. One twenty-four sixty minutes catamenia they volition state to the chiefs "You are Almighty God," together with the adjacent twenty-four sixty minutes catamenia the chiefs would non move worthy of abide by due to scavenger."
Nana Ofori Atta I sitting with his kra (soul/little boy) inwards from his him together with his junior blood brother Dr J B Danquah standing (first from left), when Gold Coast/Akyem delegation visited England inwards 1940,s
When the Colonial authorities introduced obnoxious laws that limit the inclusion of Africans inwards the Legislative Council, Nana pose his differences with the Gold Coast educated elites aside together with inwards 1934 led a Gold Coast Delegation that includes Dr Frederick Nanka Bruce together with G K Korsah (later Sir Kobina Arku Korsah, the showtime African Chief Justice of Ghana), the municipal representatives for Accra together with Cape Coast respectively every bit good every bit v representatives of Ashanti Province to London to petition the British Parliament to take away an unpopular Bills together with also inquire for full general constitutional reforms. The petition which they presented to the secretarial assistant of Blue Planet for the colonies inwards 1934 demanded for official bulk of Africans on the legislative council, permanent African representative on the Governor`s executive council together with eligibility for non-chiefs to move every bit provincial members of the executive council. Though Nana together with his delegation`s demands were non met, however, it gave impetus for Aborigines correct Protection Council to post its ain delegation to U.K. to press domicile to a greater extent than need volition saw the obnoxious bills withdrawn together with petition granted.
His Royal Majesty Sir Nana Ofori Atta I, K.B.E, Okyehene together with the pioneer educationist. Circa 1928
"Ofori Atta was the boy of a senior official of the palace; his woman nurture was the descendant of 1 of the founders of the kingdom.... Once inwards power, he was determined to supply Akyem Abuakwa to its onetime glory. His approach to politics was a mix of educational modernism together with aristocratic nepotism that gave every bit much importance to merit every bit it did to blood." He created a dynasty yesteryear privileging teaching both with his sons together with daughters, through ii paths, “one firmly rooted inwards a line organization for binding the Blue Planet yesteryear the traditionally sanctioned method of multiple wedlock together with the other rooted inwards his potent illustration for ‘modernisation’ together with ‘progress’.”
Apart from Governor Gordon Guggisberg, Dr James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey together with Fraser, Nana Ofori Atta tin forcefulness out move said to bring played a singularly instrumental move inwards the establishment of Achimota School or College (formerly Prince of Wales School), where close colonial Gold Coast leaders together with electrical flow prominent Ghanaian leaders schooled.
Nana Sir Ofori Atta I, Gold Coast Nationalist together with political heavyweight sitting majestically on his Royal throne
Nana Ofori Atta I waved a in conclusion goodbye to the Blue Planet of the living together with journeyed to his ancestors inwards August 21, 1943. He left behind an intelligent educated flat inwards his menage unit of measurement together with for woman nurture Ghana.
Nana was the blood brother of Dr. J. B. Danquah (a founder of the United Gold Coast Convention), together with the begetter of Aaron Ofori Atta (a Minister of Communications together with Minister of Local Government), William Ofori Atta (a Minister of Foreign Affairs, Presidential Candidate of the UNC), Dr Akwasi Amoako-Atta (Governor of Bank of Ghana), Dr Jones Ofori-Atta (Deputy Minister of Finance), together with Dr. Susannah Ofori Atta (the showtime woman individual physician inwards West Africa). He was the gramps of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Ghana's onetime Foreign Minister together with Presidential Candidate of the NPP inwards 2008 together with 2012.
Nana Sir Ofori Atta I together with his retinue. Circa Sept 5, 1979
First Flight
27th August 1934: Shielded yesteryear an umbrella, Sir Ofori Atta, Paramount Chief of the Akyem Abuakwa Blue Planet inwards Gold Coast after his showtime flying at the East Anglian Aero Club, Albridge, Essex. The airplane pilot Colonel Julian, known inwards America every bit the Black Eagle is on the left. (Photo yesteryear Fox Photos/Getty Images)
Source Kweku Darko Ankrah (http://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.de/)
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