List of Ghanaians in the United Kingdom

This is a list of notable Ghanaians in the United Kingdom. The person's Ghanaian citizenship and connection to the Republic of Ghana is shown in birthplace and parentheses.

Person Profession/notability Place of birth Link to Ghana Ref.
Sir David Adjaye, Knight Bachelor / OBE Architect Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Ghanaian mother and father [1][2]
William Adoasi Entrepreneur Camberwell, London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [3]
Adam Afriyie British Conservative Party politician, businessman and multimillionaire London, Greater London, UK English mother, Ghanaian father [4][5]
Albert Adomah Professional footballer for Bristol City F.C. and Ghana national football team London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [6]
Freema Agyeman Television and film actress Hackney, Greater London, UK Iranian mother, Ghanaian father [7]
Patrick Agyemang Professional footballer for Queens Park Rangers F.C. and Ghana national football team London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [8]
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey Sprinter London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [9]
John Akomfrah, CBE Film director and screenwriter Accra, Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [10]
Adjoa Andoh Film, television, stage and voice actress Clifton, Bristol Ghanaian mother and father [11][12]
Samata Angel Fashion designer Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK Ghanaian mother and father [13]
Joey Ansah Actor and martial artist London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [14]
Maxwell "Lethal Bizzle" Ansah Musician and rapper London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [15]
Kwesi Appiah Professional footballer for Crystal Palace F.C. and Ghana national football team London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [16]
Amma Asante, MBE Writer and film director Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [17][18]
Anita Asante Professional female footballer for Göteborg FC and the England women's national football team London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [19][20]
Clare-Hope Ashitey Actress London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [21]
Guvna B Musician London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [22]
Terry Baddoo CNN International news reporter and columnist for World Football Insider London, Greater London, UK English mother, Ghanaian father [23]
James Barnor Photographer Accra, Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [24]
Errol "Kojo Funds" Bellot Musician and rapper London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother, Dominican father [25]
Rhian Benson Soul and jazz singer-songwriter Accra, Ghana Welsh mother, Ghanaian father [26]
Matty Blythe professional rugby league footballer for Warrington Wolves Salford, Greater Manchester, UK Ghanaian mother, English father [27]
[28]
Abrantee Boateng Radio DJ, TV presenter and club DJ London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [29]
Daniel Boateng Professional footballer for Arsenal F.C. London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [30]
Eric Boateng Professional basketball player for Peristeri B.C. and the Great Britain national basketball team London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [31]
Ozwald Boateng, OBE Fashion designer London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [32]
Lord Paul Boateng, The Right Honourable / PC British Labour Party politician and member of the House of Lords London, Greater London, UK Scottish mother, Ghanaian father [33]
William Boyd, CBE Novelist and screenwriter Accra, Ghana Half-Ghanaian and half-Scottish mother, Scottish father [34]
Margaret Busby, CBE Publisher (founder of Allison and Busby), writer, editor, broadcaster Accra, Ghana Ghanaian mother, Caribbean father [35]
Paigey Cakey MC, rapper, singer and actress Hackney, Greater London, UK Ghanaian father, English mother
Dr Gus Casely-Hayford, OBE Executive Director (CEO) of Arts Strategy for Arts Council England, curator and cultural historian Ghana Sierra Leonean mother, Ghanaian father [36]
Joe Casely-Hayford, OBE Fashion designer Ghana Sierra Leonean mother, Ghanaian father [36]
Margaret Casely-Hayford, CBE Lawyer, Executive Chair of ActionAid UK London, Greater London, UK Sierra Leonean mother, Ghanaian father [37]
Tinchy Stryder Rapper, music executive, businessman and multimillionaire Accra, Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [38]
Jaye Davidson Actor Riverside, California, US English mother, Ghanaian father [39]
Chris Dickson Professional footballer for AEL Limassol and Ghana national football team London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother, Jamaican father [40]
Efua Dorkenoo, OBE Campaigner Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [41]
Idris Elba, OBE Television, theatre, and film actor London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother, Sierra Leonean father [42]
Edward Enninful, OBE Editor-in-chief of British Vogue Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [43]
Ekow Eshun Former artistic director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (London), journalist, writer, and broadcaster London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [44]
Kodwo Eshun Writer, theorist and filmmaker Ghanaian mother and father [45]
Paapa Essiedu Actor Southwark, London, England Ghanaian parents
Emmanuel Frimpong Professional footballer for Arsenal F.C. and Ghana national football team Kumasi, Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [46]
Ian "Donae'o" Greenidge Rapper, singer, and musician known for his hit single "Party Hard" London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [47][48]
Sam Gyimah Liberal Democrat politician, former Member of Parliament for East Surrey Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, UK Ghanaian mother and father [49]
James Harper Professional footballer for Hull City A.F.C. Chelmsford, Essex, UK Ghanaian mother, English father [50]
Afua Hirsch Journalist Norway Ghanaian mother, British father
Kobna Holdbrook-Smith Actor Accra, Ghana
Cab Kaye Jazz musician London, Greater London, UK Half-Dutch and half-English mother, Ghanaian father [51]
Kanya King, CBE Founder of the MOBO Awards London, Greater London, UK Irish mother, Ghanaian father [52]
Esther Krakue Political commentator Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [53]
Jeanette Kwakye Sprinter London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [54]
Ras Kwame Radio DJ and radio presenter Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [12]
Kwasi Kwarteng Politician and current Chancellor of the Exchequer London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [55]
Lisa l'Anson Broadcaster and VJ London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother, Danish father [56]
Peter Mensah Actor Accra, Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [57]
Pops Mensah-Bonsu Professional basketball player for Beşiktaş Milangaz and the Great Britain national basketball team London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [58]
Dylan "Dizzee Rascal" Mills Rapper and music executive London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother, Nigerian father [59]
The Mitchell Brothers Musician London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and English father [60]
Melvin O'Doom Comedian, radio DJ and television presenter Bedford, Bedfordshire, UK Ghanaian mother, Ghanaian father [61]
Abena Oppong-Asare Labour politician, Member of Parliament for Erith and Thamesmead London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [62][63]
Mark "Neutrino" Osei-Tutu Musician, professional rugby player London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [28]
Belinda Owusu Actress London, Greater London, UK English mother, Ghanaian father [64]
Lloyd Owusu Former professional footballer Slough, England [65]
Hugh Quarshie Actor Accra, Ghana Half-Dutch and half-English mother, Ghanaian father [66]
Nigel Quashie Professional footballer; only the second black player to represent Scotland in football, and the first since Andrew Watson in 1881 Southwark, Greater London, England English mother, Ghanaian father [67]
Caleb Quaye Rock guitarist and musician London, Greater London, UK Scottish mother, part-Ghanaian, part-Dutch and part-English father [51]
Finley Quaye Musician Edinburgh, Scotland Scottish mother, part-Ghanaian, part-Dutch and part-English father [68]
Lord Bernard Ribeiro, Knight Bachelor / CBE Surgeon, former President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England Achimota, Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [69]
Bell Ribeiro-Addy Labour politician, Member of Parliament for Streatham Streatham, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [70]
Paul Sackey Professional rugby union player for Stade Français and the England national rugby union team London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [71]
Derek "Sway DaSafo" Safo Musician London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [72]
Lloyd Sam Professional footballer for Leeds United F.C. Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Ghanaian mother and father [73]
June Sarpong, OBE Television presenter London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [74]
Adrien Sauvage Fashion designer, film director and photographer London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [75]
Alex Sawyer Actor Kent, England, UK Ghanaian mother, half-Finnish and half-English father [27]
Jeffrey Schlupp Professional footballer for Crystal Palace F.C. and Ghana national football team Hamburg, Germany Ghanaian mother and father [76]
Dennis Tuffour professional rugby league footballer for York City Knights London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [27]
Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah British Military Officer, First Black equerry in British monarch history Accra, Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [77]
William Vanderpuye Actor and renowned voice-over artist London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother, Dutch father [27]
[78]
Danny Welbeck Professional footballer for Arsenal F.C. and England national football team Longsight, Greater Manchester, UK Ghanaian mother and father [79]
Arthur Wharton First black professional association football player in the world Jamestown, formerly Gold Coast now Ghana Ghanaian mother, half-Grenadian and half-Scottish father [80]
Rachel Yankey, OBE Professional female footballer for Arsenal W.F.C. and the England women's national football team London, Greater London, UK English mother, Ghanaian father [81]
[82]
Reggie Yates Actor, television presenter and radio DJ London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [83]
Lynette Yiadom-Boakye Painter London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [84]
Joshua Buatsi Boxer, Olympic Bronze medalist Accra, Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [85]
DJ Zel Radio DJ UK Ghanaian mother and father [86]

References and notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Eoghan MacGuire & Lauren Said-Moorhouse (4 November 2011). "'Starchitect' David Adjaye on his favorite buildings". CNN. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  2. ^ "Black culture museum for UK 'long overdue'". BBC News. 2 February 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  3. ^ Parke, Phoebe. "Richard Branson believes in this start up". CNN. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  4. ^ "MP Says Don't Call Me 'Black'". The-Latest.com. 24 January 2006. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  5. ^ "BBC Radio Berkshire - Bridgitte Tetteh, Windsor MP Adam Afriyie on his love of all things Ghanaian". BBC. 12 March 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  6. ^ Kent Mensah (7 September 2011). "Bristol City's Albert Adomah has bright future with Ghana – coach Goran Stevanovic". Goal.com. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  7. ^ Jury, Louise (23 March 2007). "From council estate to Tardis: rise of the Timelord's sidekick". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 19 October 2007. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  8. ^ "England-based Duo To Play For Stars". GhanaWeb. 30 May 2003. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  9. ^ "A rising star". BBC Sport. 30 January 2006. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  10. ^ "John Akomfrah – ICARUS Films". icarusfilms.com. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  11. ^ Graham, Natalie (23 March 2003), "Fame & Fortune: How TV nurse cured her money woes", The Sunday Times.
  12. ^ a b "'We Are The Black Stars!'". The Voice. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  13. ^ Sarah Mason (13 August 2007). "First black British Ghanaian designer". ModernGhana. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  14. ^ Djembe Online – No 28: Kofi Ansah: Celebration of local fabrics Archived 27 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "Interview: Lethal Bizzle", Time Out Accra.
  16. ^ "Kwesi Appiah: 'Crystal Palace move felt like it was meant to be'". thisiscroydontoday.co.uk. 6 February 2012. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  17. ^ Eshun, Ekow (4 November 2007). "Young, gifted and black: Arts and literature choices". The Independent. London. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  18. ^ "Film director Amma Asante honoured by Queen Elizabeth II". www.myjoyonline.com. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  19. ^ "British Back Row – Anita Asante". Viewmagazine.tv. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  20. ^ "Chelsea Ladies re-sign midfielder Anita Asante". www.myjoyonline.com. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  21. ^ "Claire-Hope Ashitey plays Kee in The Children of Men". Interview. sadibey.com. 2006. Archived from the original (doc) on 16 March 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  22. ^ Tony Cummings (16 February 2011). "Guvna B: The MOBO-winning MC maintaining mixtape momentum". crossrhythms.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  23. ^ "Africa can't have World Cup glory without responsibility". sportsillustrated.cnn.com. CNN. Archived from the original on 5 June 2001. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  24. ^ Kwaku, "Lucky Jim, still working at 81", New African, April 2011, pp. 80–82.
  25. ^ Awoyera, Alison (17 May 2018). "Kojo Funds Is the Afro-Swing King of the UK's Black Diaspora". vice.com. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  26. ^ "Rhian Benson". Ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  27. ^ a b c d "English people of Ghanaian descent". Times of India. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  28. ^ a b British People of Ghanaian Descent, 18 August 2009.
  29. ^ "DJ Abrantee To Host Fabolous Live in Ghana Concert". ghanamma.com. 12 April 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  30. ^ "Arsenal Youth Boateng wants to play for Ghana". ghanaweb.com. 13 June 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  31. ^ Brian Heyman (29 November 2009). "Career Begun in London Is Flourishing in Desert". The New York Times. US. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  32. ^ Philby, Charlotte (19 January 2008). "How do I look?: Ozwald Boateng". The Independent. London. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  33. ^ Odoi-Larbi, Stephen. "Intra-Africa trade is key to Africa's success -Lord Paul Boateng". The Ghanaian Chronicle. London. Archived from the original on 3 June 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  34. ^ "William Boyd – Biography". williamboyd.co.uk. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  35. ^ Shereen Ali, "Sharing our Voices", Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, 29 April 2015.
  36. ^ a b "Joe Casely-Hayford". Fashion Model Directory. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  37. ^ Lysanne Currie, "Margaret Casely-Hayford: The ActionAid UK chair talks talent, diversity and building a great company culture", Director, 1 October 2015.
  38. ^ "Tinchy Stryder – Tinchy Stryder 'Normal' In Ghana". Contactmusic.com. 24 July 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  39. ^ "Ethnic background is important to many". blackflix.com. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  40. ^ "Dickson gets Ghana call". Charlton Athletic F.C. 19 December 2012. Archived from the original on 11 May 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  41. ^ "Northern Territory Library" (PDF). nretas.nt.gov.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 April 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  42. ^ "Ghanaian-born Idris Elba to establish film studio, health centre in West Africa". Ghana Business News. 5 April 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  43. ^ Young, Sarah (10 April 2017). "British Vogue appoints Edward Enninful as first ever male Editor-in-Chief". The Independent.
  44. ^ Young, Sarah. "Black Gold of the Sun by Ekow Eshun". The Independent. London. Retrieved 17 March 2012.[dead link]
  45. ^ "Kodwo Eshun: An Interview | Video Data Bank". www.vdb.org. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  46. ^ "Young Guns: Midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 9 February 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  47. ^ "Official Donae'o". Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  48. ^ "My-Ish Music". Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  49. ^ Cassidy, Sarah (9 September 2014). "Sam Gyimah interview: Life-changing events often occur in early days of learning". The Independent. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  50. ^ "Harper rejects World Cup chance". BBC Sport. BBC. 27 April 2006. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  51. ^ a b "Cab Kaye: An Exhuberant [sic] Voice in British Jazz". The Scotsman. jazzhouse.org. 2000. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  52. ^ "Kanya King – Biography". womenspeakers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  53. ^ "Pardon Our Interruption".
  54. ^ Broadbent, Rick (18 August 2008). "Jeanette Kwakye looks to 2012 after 100m success". The Times. London. Retrieved 7 March 2012.[dead link]
  55. ^ "Distinguished friends". migrationmuseum.org. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  56. ^ "Lisa I'Anson – BBC Radio One DJ". britkid.org. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  57. ^ "Spartacus Cast Doctore – Peter Mensah". starz.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  58. ^ Brady, Erik (22 February 2006). "George Washington back on the national scene". USA Today. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  59. ^ Burrell, Ian (19 September 2009). "Streets ahead: Dizzee Rascal". The Independent. London. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  60. ^ "The Mitchell Brothers – Biography". uk-rap.com. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  61. ^ "British people of Ghanaian descent". The Economic Times. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  62. ^ "Ghanaian-British Politician, Abena Oppong-Asare, wins Erith and Thamesmead seat in 2019 UK elections". www.pulse.ng. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  63. ^ "UK elections: Two Ghanaian women win seats for Labour". The Ghana Report. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  64. ^ "Belinda Owusu – Biography". tv.com. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  65. ^ "Lloyd Owusu inducted into English club's Hall of Fame". www.ghanaweb.com. 11 July 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  66. ^ "Hugh Quarshie – Holby City's African chief". BBC. 6 September 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  67. ^ "Quashie Snubs Ghana – Opts For Scotland". Modern Ghana. 18 May 2004. Retrieved 7 March 2012.[permanent dead link]
  68. ^ "Pop star Finley Quaye". scotsman.com. 3 January 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  69. ^ "Lord Ribeiro – MPs, Lords & offices". parliament.uk. Archived from the original on 1 February 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  70. ^ Ribeiro-Addy, Bell (13 March 2020). ""Let's address the historic injustices of the British empire" – Bell Ribeiro-Addy's maiden speech". LabourList. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  71. ^ "Ghanaian Connection: Famous people with Ghanaian heritage". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  72. ^ Alexis Akwagyiram (3 March 2007). "Timeline: Ghana's modern musical history". BBC. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  73. ^ "Ghana kick-start Lloyd Sam switch". Kickoff Magazine. 18 October 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  74. ^ "June Sarpong – Ghana Nation". Ghananation.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  75. ^ Robert Johnston. "Two's company". London: GQ. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  76. ^ Michael Lightfoot (15 March 2012). "Jeffrey Schlupp hoping to meet Ghanaian hero Essien when Leicester City meet Chelsea". Goal.com. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  77. ^ Logan, Ross (10 July 2017). "Meet the new man who will be at the Queen's side when Prince Philip retires". express.co.uk. express. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  78. ^ Poverty Reduction Strategies in Action: Perspectives and Lessons from Ghana, 24 December 2007 "William Vanderpuye - Actor V". Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012..
  79. ^ Thompson, Gemma (20 November 2008). "Papers: Credit to Cole". Manchester United. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  80. ^ "Life of black footballer honoured". BBC News. 11 November 2004. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  81. ^ Kessel, Anna (29 October 2006). "Colour blind". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
  82. ^ Lavery, Aron (30 July 2010). "Rachel Yankey: a ton of success for the England women's star". Umbro, Umbro.com. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  83. ^ "Who do You Think You Are? Season 11".
  84. ^ Cooke, Rachel (31 May 2015). "Lynette Yiadom-Boakye: artist in search of the mystery figure". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077.
  85. ^ "BoxRec: Joshua Buatsi".
  86. ^ "Meet DJ Zel, the youngest Ghanaian - UK based International DJ". www.ghanaweb.com. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.

See also

[edit]