Henry Sonnie Torgbor Provencal

Henry Sonnie Torgbor Provencal (1922–2007) na Ghanaian politician. He be member of parliament plus minister of state under de first republic. He serve as MP for Accra Central constituency from 1960 to 1965, den later as MP for Gamashie constituency from 1965 to 1966. He too serve as de Regional Commissioner for Greater Accra from 1965 until dem overthrow de Nkrumah government for February 1966.

 Early life den career 
Provencal born on 24 December 1922. He lef school for 1940 go join ein uncle wey be timber merchant, as assistant. He work plus ein uncle from dat time till 1946 wey he join ein poppie ein corn-mill business. He work plus ein poppie for about three years.

Insyd 1950, dem arrest Provencal plus some people sake of demma role for Positive Action—campaign wey dey call for "self-government now" for de British colony wey dem dey call Gold Coast. Dem detain am for 13 months. After dem release am, he no get work so he depend on ein poppie for ein needs until late 1952. For 1953, dem employ am as transport officer for de Cocoa Purchasing Company. Dat same year, dem elect am member for Accra Municipal Council. For 1955, he join ein poppie again as assistant for ein sand plus stone supply business wey ein poppie dey run as contractor.

 Politics 
Insyd June or July 1957, dem appoint Provencal as Personal Assistant to de then prime minister of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. He serve for dat role till 29 August 1960. By dat time Ghana turn republic, so Dr. Kwame Nkrumah move from prime minister to president. As head of state, he no fit remain member of parliament for ein constituency, Accra Central. Dis make ein seat turn vacant, so on 30 August 1960, dem do by-election to fill de seat. Provencal contest on de ticket of Convention People's Party (CPP) and win—he get 11,545 votes, beat Solomon Edmund Odamtten of de United Party (UP) wey get 165 votes. Provencal remain as member of parliament for Accra Central constituency until 1965. For 1961, he start serve as Deputy Minister for Interior, and he remain for dis post till July 1964. One month later, dem appoint am Executive Secretary for de Accra Tema Council (now Accra Metropolitan Assembly). For 1965, dem elevate am to ministerial status as Regional Commissioner for Greater Accra. Dat same year too, he become member of parliament for de Gamashie constituency.

Provencal hold all dis appointments till 24 February 1966 wey dem overthrow de Nkrumah government. After de coup, de National Liberation Council (NLC) arrest am put am under “protective custody” for Ussher Fort Prison for about two and half years.

During de Limann government time, Provencal plus Johnny Hansen form de Kwame Nkrumah Revolutionary Guards (KNRG). Dis group come from inside de People's Revolutionary Party (PRP), wey dem create first to take contest de 1979 election but later dem merge am plus de People's National Party (PNP). Provencal serve as General Secretary for de KNRG.

 Death den legacy 
Provencal die on 14 September 2007. Insyd 1965 he founded de Accra City Guards, which dey exist to dis day.

 References 

Category:1922 births
Category:2007 deaths
Category:Ghanaians
Category:Human
Category:Ghanaian MPs 1954–1956
Category:Ghanaian MPs 1956–1965
Category:Ghanaian MPs 1965–1966
Category:Convention People's Party (Ghana) politicians