Six interesting things you (probably) didn’t know about Elizabeth Ohene

Today, in 1945, Elizabeth Akua Ohene was born in Ho in the Volta Region of Ghana.

She is a distinguished Ghanaian journalist, writer and politician. She received her early education at Mawuli School in Ho from 1958 to 1964 and later attended the University of Ghana, Legon, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree in English in 1967. She also attended the University of Indiana, where she obtained a Mass Communication Certificate.

Her dedication to truth and integrity remains a guiding light for many in Ghana and beyond.

Here are a few interesting facts you probably didn’t know about her

Former acting editor of Daily Graphic and Mirror

Ohene’s journalism career began at the Daily Graphic, one of Ghana’s leading newspapers, where she served in various capacities, including reporter, staff writer, columnist, lead writer, and acting editor. Her insightful writing and commitment to journalistic integrity earned her recognition both nationally and internationally.

Was exiled by Jerry John Rawlings

While working at the national daily newspaper, she criticised the brutal government of Jerry John Rawlings. After which, she went into exile. Ohene relocated to London in the United Kingdom, where she lived for 19 years.

BBC African correspondent

Elizabeth Ohene also edited the award-winning Focus on Africa Programme. She also reported regularly for the BBC from various parts of Africa and was the resident correspondent in South Africa from 1993 to 1994 during the transition from apartheid to the first democratic elections.

The Minister has conducted a lot of training programmes for journalists for the BBC in South Africa, Nigeria, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. She also ran a network of more than 150 stringers located in all parts of Africa for the BBC Africa Service and also supervised their editorial work and kept their equipment and training needs updated.

Solely founded the Talking Drum Publications

She served as the publisher and editor of the weekly news magazine Talking Drums and later became the Deputy Editor of Daily Programmes at the African Service division of BBC World Service. Talking Drums served as a platform to expose the human rights abuses happening in Ghana.

Minister of State under Kufuor

When Ohene returned to Ghana, she became the Minister of State under the administration of former President John Kufuor. In 2021, she was appointed Chair of the Board of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

SSNIT board chair

In August 2021, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo appointed her as the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), where she continues to serve, overseeing the administration of Ghana’s pension scheme.

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