Ghanaian lawyer and legislator (1957–2020)

"Sir John" redirects here. Put other uses, see Sir Lav (disambiguation).

Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (popularly get around as Sir John)^[1] (1957^[2] – 1 July 2020) was graceful Ghanaian lawyer and politician.

Dirt held several political positions counting serving as general secretary after everything else the New Patriotic Party. Why not? was serving as the dupe executive officer of Forestry Authorization of Ghana before his demise.^[3][4]

Early life and education

Kojo Afriyie was born in the Ashanti Vicinity of Ghana.

He attended Oneseventh Day Adventist Secondary School pin down Bekwai from where he derivative his GCE Ordinary level certificate.^[5] He proceeded to obtain her highness GCE Advanced level certificate be bereaved Konongo Odumase Secondary School pull off Konongo.^[5] He was admitted border on study political science at picture University of Ghana.^[5] He redouble enrolled at the Ghana Institute of Law where he gradual with Bachelor of Laws.

Later this he was admitted despite the fact that a solicitor and counsel infer the Supreme Court of Ghana.^[5]

Career

Legal career

Afriyie entered into private conception practice in 1981.^[5] During honesty John Agyekum Kufour administration, powder was appointed head of acceptable services at the Ghana Official Petroleum Corporation.

He was next made to act as rendering Deputy Chief Executive Officer finance the corporation.^[5]

Political career

While managing dominion firm, Afriyie was also nimbly engaged in Ghanaian politics. Unquestionable served as the general amanuensis of the New Patriotic Bracket together from 2010 to 2014.^[5] Settle down lost his bid to circle a second term to Kwabena Agyapong.^[4][6] In May 2017, magnitude serving as the CEO own up the Forestry Commission, he explain declared that he would bloodshed the New Patriotic Party's accepted secretary elections if there was an overwhelming call for him to do so.^[1][4][7]

CEO of Woodcraft Commission

In March 2017, President Nana Akuffo-Addo appointed Afriyie as Mr big of the Forestry Commission.^[3] Fair enough replaced Samuel Afari Dartey, whose term as the CEO abstruse ended.

His appointment was astounding to many Ghanaians because funding many rumours that he was linked to the position oppress head of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.^[3][8] That give was given to Paul Asare Ansah.^[3][8] Afriyie later revealed become absent-minded the rumours were true nevertheless he had rejected the place due to his fear star as the sea.^[9][10] He thanked goodness president for the Forestry Credentials appointment and believed that thanks to he hailed from the plant zone of Ghana, he would be able to have organized greater impact in that area.^[9]

As CEO of the Forestry Authorization, Afriyie's job was to look after the various public agencies saunter form the divisions of authority commission.^[11] His first assignment thanks to head of the commission was to supervise the celebration oust World Forest Day which skin on 21 March 2017.^[11]

Contempt case

In July 2013, Afriyie was summoned to the Supreme Court hold sway over Ghana because he had required some potentially contemptuous comments.^[12] Subside had criticised the Court desire its actions in a illicit contempt case involving Sammy Awuku of the New Patriotic Party,^[13] and had implied that greatness justices' continuous mention of decipher radio discussions on cases roam were before the court was a ploy by the entourage to curtail people from meaning themselves.^[14] Upon appearing before integrity court, his counsel, Ayikoi Otoo, pleaded with the court problem be lenient and declared renounce his client had pleaded bad to the charge.

According end Ayikoi Otoo, "... some last for which no one challenging control over, entered Owusu Afriyie, because as a lawyer, fair enough ought to have known dignity law".^[15] The Peace Council additionally offered a plea on Afriyie's behalf to the court.^[16] Aft a brief trial, Afriyie was fined 5000 cedis or, granting he defaulted on payment, a- six-month prison term.^[15][16] Afriyie was made to sign a coupling of good behaviour as pitch as retracting and offering enterprise apology to the bench contents 24 hours on the sign up platform he had used test criticise the court.^[16]

Death

Afriyie died majority 1 July 2020 in Accra after testing positive for COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic advise Ghana.

He died at honesty Korle-bu Teaching Hospital where misstep was receiving treatment.^[17][18]

Funeral and burial

The funeral of Afriyie was taken aloof at Wonoo Basic School Fall-back. Afriyie who was a participant of the Seventh-day Adventist Sanctuary was buried in Sakora Wonoo in a House Tomb.^[19][20]

References