Joseph W.S. de Graft-Johnson

Joseph William Swain de Graft-Johnson (6 October 1933 – 22 April 1999) be Ghanaian engineer, academic plus politician. He serve as Vice-President of Ghana from 1979 to 1981.

 Early life den education 
Joseph de Graft-Johnson bin born on 6 October 1933 for Cape Coast, Gold Coast to Fante parents. He go Mfantsipim School. He get ein bachelor's degree for Civil Engineering from de University of Leeds. For 1960, he get master's degree for Highway Engineering from de University of Birmingham. He get ein PhD for Soil Mechanics from de University of California, Berkeley for 1965.

 Career 
He first work plus one London engineering firm, wey ein projects include building of one Brazilian power plant den extension of one airport for London. de Graft-Johnson practise as engineer for Ghana. He be lecturer for Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology for Kumasi den later dem promote am to Senior Lecturer, den associate professor for 1968. For 1969, he become Director of de Buildings and Roads Research Institute. For 1974, he be one of ten members wey dem appoint to de Ghana Highways Authority den later he sit on top de board of directors. He be one of de founding members of de Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE), wey he be President from 1977 to 1978. He be consultant to de Government of Zambia wey he advise dem on how to set up de Building Research and Development Institute for Lusaka.

 Politics 
During de time of military rule under de Supreme Military Council, he dey involved for opposition against continued military rule as he be President of de GhIE, one of de plenty professional bodies for Ghana wey oppose de military government. He suffer personal attacks sake of dis. He be member of de 1978 Constituent Assembly wey dem set up to write de 1979 Constitution of de Third Republic. de Graft-Johnson join de People's National Party (PNP) when dem found am for 1979. Dis happen after de National Redemption Council lift de ban on political parties wey dem impose for 1972. De PNP win de elections den he become de first ever Vice President of Ghana insyd de Limann government. De government get overthrow by coup d'état on 31 December 1981. He lef go exile for London, England after de coup.

 Personal life 
He marry Lily Anna Sekyi wey na dem get 5 kiddies.

 Death 
De Graft-Johnson die on 22 April 1999 for London wey he be 65 years. After dem do ein funeral service for Wesley Methodist Cathedral, dem bury am for Cape Coast.

 Publications 



 Literature 

 de Graft Okyere, Letitia (2022) The First Vice President: A Biography of JWS de Graft-Johnson MacSwain Publishing

 References 

Category:1933 births
Category:1999 deaths
Category:Human
Category:Ghanaians
Category:20th-century Ghanaian engineers
Category:Academic staff of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Category:Alumni of de University of Birmingham
Category:Alumni of de University of Leeds
Category:Fante people
Category:Ghanaian Methodists
Category:Leaders dem oust by a coup
Category:Mfantsipim School alumni
Category:People's National Party (Ghana) politicians
Category:UC Berkeley College of Engineering alumni
Category:Vice-presidents of Ghana
Category:Politicians wey komot Central Region (Ghana)