GAFICS Launches Its Publication: Some Outstanding Ghanaians, Volume II
Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Accra, Ghana
Tuesday 15 September 2026
PRESS RELEASE
GHANA ASSOCIATION OF FORMER INTERNATIONAL CIVIL SERVANTS (GAFICS) LAUNCHES ITS PUBLICATION: SOME OUTSTANDING GHANAIANS, VOLUME II
The Ghana Association of Former International Civil Servants, GAFICS, is proud to announce the launch of Volume II of the GAFICS Series on SOME OUTSTANDING GHANAIANS.
Like its predecessor, Volume I, which GAFICS launched in March 2024, this exciting XXXX page book describes the inspiring biographies of another set of iconic Ghanaians. These Ghanaians featured in Volume II are a diverse group: national and international public servants, human rights champions, multidisciplinary scientists, medical trailblazers, philanthropists, pioneer members of Ghana’s armed forces, distinguished academics, humanitarians, legal luminaries, diplomats, health professionals, economists, journalists, architects, captains of industry and farmers.
Under the able leadership of GAFICS member Dr. Eugenia Date-Bah, a small but highly competent team meticulously researched the lives of these individuals with a view to motivating both present and future generations to achieve their dreams and ensuring that the truly extraordinary accomplishments and legacies of these incomparable individuals are not lost in the mists of time.
The book traces the life stories of these exceptional individuals, highlighting how they have triumphed over adversity, blazed trails, demonstrated unparalleled determination, industriousness, and an unyielding dedication to achieving excellence in their fields of work.
The people covered include both women and men. They are:
- Amishadai Larson Yaw Adu, a brilliant Cambridge graduate in chemistry who became a legendary beacon of public and civil service in Ghana, the Commonwealth and United Nations.
- Dr. Agnes Akosua Aidoo, award-winning academic, trailblazer in Social Equity and Children’s Rights at the African and Global Levels.
- Mrs. Alexandra Amoako-Mensah, Ghana’s foremost female geologist whose ground-breaking research led to the astounding discovery of lithium.
- Naa Dr. Andani Andan, the first Dagomba medical doctor and surgeon and prominent long-reigning Sagnarigu Paramount Chief in Northern Ghana.
- Reverend Dr. Emmanuel Apea, scientist and educationist, international civil servant, pastor, lecturer and philanthropist.
- Dr. Raphael Ernest Grail Armattoe, a world-renowned scientist, physician, anthropologist and poet.
- Air Vice-Marshall Naoleon Richard Yaovi Ashley-Lassen, a pioneer Commander of the Ghana Air Force.
- Mrs. Joyce Lucy Asibey, a renowned and dedicated teacher who achieved a historic milestone as the first Ghanaian Headmistress of Aburi Girls’ Secondary School (now Aburi Girls’ Senior High School) for 17 years.
- Rt. Hon. Justice Joyce Adeline Bamford-Addo, the first female Director of Public Prosecutions, the first woman to be elevated as a Justice of the Supreme Court and the first female Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana.
- Emmanuel Bentil-Owusu, a seasoned international civil servant, who worked with various UN agencies in his long career.
- Emmanuel Colecraft, a statistician, population scientist and census specialist, and contributor to the field of demographic statistics in Africa.
- Justice Professor Kofi Date-Bah, an international legal scholar and professor, eminent Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana and outstanding international civil servant.
- Ambassador Ebenezer Moses K. Debrah, one of Ghana’s 10 pioneer Foreign Service Officers and former head of the civil service.
- Dr. (Mrs) Susanna DeGraft-Johnson (nee Dr. Susanna Ofori-Atta), the first female doctor of the Gold Coast and one of only three in all of West Africa.
- Sir Arku Korsah, Ghana’s first Chief Justice and first and only African to act as the Governor-General of the Gold Coast (“the Queen’s Representative) in 1959.
- Joachim Awuley Lartey (aka “over to you, Joe Lartey”), an iconic, legendary sports commentator, broadcaster and toastmaster, most famous for his brilliant sports commentary on radio and television.
- Maame Abena Maaboah (aka Rose Kwarteng) emerged as one of the most respected female cocoa farmers in the then Brong Ahafo Region.
- Mrs. Gloria Nikoi, an outstanding economist and diplomat, who became the first woman Commissioner (Minister) of Foreign Affairs in 1976.
- Mrs. Virginia Ofosu-Amaah, a respected national and international civil servant, who became the first female Chairperson of the National Population Council and was awarded the Order of the Volta in 2006.
- Professor John Owusu Addo, a pioneer in the history of architecture in Ghana who designed Unity Hall at KNUST, Cedi House in Accra and the royal residences and Secretariat of the Asantehene and Queen Mother at the Manhyia Palace, Kumasi and was awarded the Order of the Volta in 2011.
The Ghana Association of Former International Civil Servants (GAFICS) was incorporated on 26 September 2000. GAFICS is a pool of approximately 120 Ghanaians with extensive expertise in various fields. Its current president is Dr W. Collins Asare.
The aim of GAFICS is to contribute to Ghana’s socio-economic development by making the extensive competencies and expertise of GAFICS members available to the country.