Komla Agbeli Gbedemah

**Komla Agbeli Gbedemah** (17 June 1913 – 11 July 1998) be Ghanaian politician den Minister for Finance insyd Ghana ein Nkrumah government between 1954 den 1961. People popularly know am as "**Afro Gbede**". He be indigene of Anyako insyd de Volta Region of Ghana.

## Early life den career
Dem born Komla Gbedemah on 17 June 1913 for Warri, Nigeria, to Ewe parents. He attend Adisadel College for Cape Coast for ein secondary education from 1925 go 1929, den go Achimota College from 1929 go 1933. He get employment as teacher for one school insyd de Akuapem District insyd de Gold Coast. For 1939, he become Science Master for Accra Academy for Jamestown. As he dey teach, he dey do timber den confectionery business side by side. For 1943, he lef ein teaching role for Accra Academy take enter de timber trade full-time.

## Political career
Gbedemah originally be member of de United Gold Coast Convention. He lef plus Dr Kwame Nkrumah take form de Convention People's Party (CPP). Gbedemah be important member of de CPP because of ein organisational ability. He get strong influence for how Nkrumah win election go de Legislative Council on 8 February 1951 during de Elections for de Legislative Assembly. He organise Nkrumah ein whole campaign while Nkrumah still dey prison under de colonial government. Nkrumah win de Accra Central Municipal seat. Dis win make dem release Nkrumah on 12 February 1951 den invite am make he form government. Some reports talk say Gbedemah be de first person wey welcome Nkrumah after dem release am from Fort James prison.

Gbedemah, wey himself get elect go de Legislative Assembly, turn de first Ghanaian Minister for Health den Labour insyd Nkrumah ein government. For 1954, he become Minister of Finance, position wey he hold for seven years. He play key role in convince de United States government—wey at first no really want—to support de building of de Akosombo Dam. Later, as ein relationship plus Nkrumah spoil, Nkrumah demote am go de post of Minister of Health for May 1961. US sources talk say at one point, Gbedemah dey consider overthrow Nkrumah. Dem quote am say: "I would be sorry to have to do it but country has had enough of Nkrumah's arrogance, whims and madness." For September 1961, Nkrumah order make Gbedemah resign.

Gbedemah get force go exile later dat same year, after ein relationship plus Nkrumah spoil more because he feel say Nkrumah no dey handle de country ein finances well.. Dem talk say he run because plans dey to put am under preventive detention. While he dey exile, he still dey lobby de US government over de Akosombo Dam project.

Gbedemah form den lead de National Alliance of Liberals (NAL) go de 1969 general election. Ein campaign slogan—"Say it loud, I am black and proud!"—come from de popular James Brown tune. After de election, dem bar Gbedemah from take ein seat for parliament. Dis one happen after de Supreme Court uphold decision by de NLC wey talk say any CPP member wey dem accuse of financial crimes no fit hold public office for ten years. Dis ruling make Gbedemah retire from active politics.

Insyd 1957 go 1961, Gbedemah serve as President of de World Federalist Movement, one international non-governmental organisation wey dey promote federal world government. He be one of de people wey sign de agreement to call for convention make dem draft one world constitution. Because of dis, for de first time for human history, one World Constituent Assembly come together to draft den adopt de Constitution for de Federation of Earth.

## Howard Johnson's restaurant incident
Insyd United States, Gbedemah be most known for one incident wey happen on 10 October 1957, wey President Dwight D. Eisenhower later apologize give am. Dis be after dem refuse serve Gbedemah for one Howard Johnson’s restaurant insyd Dover, Delaware. As dem block am, Gbedemah tell de staff say: “De people wey dey here get lower social status pass me, but dem fit drink here and we no fit. You fit take de orange juice plus de change, but dis no go be de last time you go hear about dis.” Dis matter cause plenty embarrassment, and as result, Gbedemah later get invitation go White House for breakfast plus President Eisenhower himself.

## Positions
*For ministerial positions, see succession box.*

* Leader, People's Movement for Freedom and Justice (1991 – ?)
* Founder and Leader, National Alliance of Liberals (1969)
* Member, Legislative Assembly, Ghana (1951 – ?)
* Manager and Editor, *Accra Evening News* (1949 – ?)
* Vice Chairman, Convention People's Party (1949 – ?)

## Works

* Gbedemah, K. A. It will not be "work and happiness for all"; an open letter being also an appeal to Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and comment on and criticism of the proposed new 7 year Ghana development plan. [n.p.], 1962. [32p].

## References

## External links