My Greatest Ghanaians of our time - Gen X Starting Eleven

I have been calling a number of people - one of my top 10 greatest Ghanaians currently for a while. Once I sat down to blog this, I realised I should do this by age ranges. Here is the Generation X list - 1965-1980 DOBs. According to AI :-) Positive characteristics of Generation X include: strong work ethic, valuing work-life balance, self-reliance, adaptability to technology, entrepreneurial spirit, practicality, flexibility, strong problem-solving skills, and a focus on quality over quantity in their work, often prioritizing efficiency over long hours. In this list, I am picking people I have actually met, spent time with and can vouch for their greatness any day.

Bernard Avle
Many of you would have heard Bernard Avle refer to people on the Citi Breakfast Show as "Biiiiig Man". He's one of them. I really love what he has done with the #CitiCBS. I told him that it is becoming Solution Radio alongside what the Omni Media team is doing with Citi 97.3 FM and Channel One TV. He has been a big supporter of GhanaThink since we started Barcamps in 2008 and he last mentored at Barcamp Accra 2017. We at the Kosmos Innovation Center invited him to give a keynote speech to our AgriTechies once. I had a renewed level of respect, admiration of this fellow Odadee called Bernadinho aka Aloski. He and his 1998 Presec Year Group is one of a kind.

Here's a video which encapsulates why Bernard is great and you should follow him much more.

Elsie Effah Kaufmann
Most of us know Elsie as the quiz mistress of one of the best things to happen to Ghana in my opinion - the National Science & Maths Quiz. She is part of the reason NSMQ has boomed. She is at the heart of transforming STEM in Ghana, from secondary to tertiary level. It was exciting to see her become the Dean, School of Engineering Sciences at University of Ghana, especially after this TEDxOsu video. I remember when she gave the keynote speech at the Africa Prize event that I moderated. I was just clapping for her in my head throughout. She has also been to multiple Barcamps.

Patrick Awuah
I have blogged about Patrick multiple times, from the HBS ABC, to Stanford, being at Barcamps, having Barcamps at Ashesi, etc. He is one of the most humble, unassuming leaders I have ever met. Growing up my role models where Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela and co. Since the early 2010s, I have replaced them with Patrick Awuah. Any time I am in the same room with him, I am in awe. Why? Did you read the blog posts? :-)

In picking a video for you to watch - this was an easy choice. He is interviewed by one of the greatest Ghanaian interviewers and moderators, ever. 

Estelle Akofio-Sowah
She is not as popular as some of those mentioned here, but Estelle is a real trailblazer! She was the CEO of Busy Internet, and then she was the first Country Manager for Google in Ghana. I remember the email she sent me in 2011 saying "I Just Heard Great News". For Google to choose Ghana for an office and for Estelle to lead it from 2009 for many years, speaks volumes about her. She reps Ghana a lot, as the head of the #VimSquad. It was awesome having her help promote National Volunteer Day when we at GhanaThink started it in 2013. It was terrific working with her and also having her at Barcamps. She's a real internet and digital champion, inspiring change. #WomenWhoInspire!
Wait for the last few lines in this video.

Rocky Dawuni
I got to know Rocky Dawuni because of my Museke startup circa 2006. He's down-to-earth and does not have the baggage that most celebrities come with. I remember some conversations at African Regent where he seems to hang out a lot. Good location, innit? He makes a lot of positive music, starting from In Ghana.

We know about his Grammy nominations, but he is a really great ambassador for Ghana & Africa. He has been an ambassador for lots of causes pushed globally, and it is because he cares. 
You have seen his music videos, but have you heard him speak? He speaks through his music videos? Gotcha. 

Watch this one though, where he speaks 1 of the 3 theme words for Barcamp Ghana in 2024: Culture.

Leila Djansi
Is why didn't I choose Shirley Frimpong-Manso your first question? Well, Leila Djansi has achieved a lot o. I chose her because she came to a Barcamp or supported Barcamp Ho with several free VCDs of her movies? That's not the reason. The reason Leila is my favorite Ghanaian film maker is because of the ambition she showed in her first films. She was shooting for film festivals, Oscars, while still making movies that could do well commercially. Go back to the first paragraph. 

I am passionate about great and well-made African movies, and have reviewed several of them including I Sing Of A Well & Sinking Sands. I interviewed Leila about I Sing Of A Well too.
I still hope she would help us get Yaa Asantewaa onto the big screen.

Watch this video as she speaks about her journey.

Kwame Nsiah-Appau (Okyeame Kwame)
Okyeame Kwame is not my all-time favorite Ghanaian musician but he has proven to be very successful in music (with his longevity) and his business acumen and influence. He is arguably our all-time top lyricist. The day I interviewed him for Museke, I was really impressed, he is really smart! He was a KNUST student at that time. When he started supporting Wear Ghana, I was really happy about it. He has fashion sense indeed, he stands out! 1 of the best things he has ever done (imho) is release that Made In Ghana album. He has also supported other businesses, written a book. He was challenging several hiplife artistes in 2004, was at his peak in 2009 and twenty years on, he is still a top draw! Oh, I met his wife as well circa 2008. Love Lockdown track with Adina is a jam. He is also a marriage counsellor. Anaa meboa?
Watch him being interviewed by one of the very best, Kwaku Sintim-Misa.

Anita Erskine
We grew up seeing Anita Erskine emcee the most popular show in Ghana - Miss Ghana. Beautiful, eloquent, smiling all the time. 14 muscles things. She was at Barcamp Accra 2016, mentoring lots of young hard working, driven, tech savvy Ghanaians. 
I love the series she has been working on, interviewing other great Africans - including these Sheroes.

Watch this Personality Segment video interview from the #BreakfastDaily.

Anas Aremeyaw Anas
You disagree? Why? Because of what? I met Anas a couple of times in Ghana. No, I have not seen his face before. #JeSuisAnas. No, he has been to a Barcamp yet, but he knows about our work. He has met Barack Obama before. It is not related? No problemo. I like what Anas does. I would continue liking it until we have the reform we need to have in Ghana. He wears a mask. If you have a problem with it, what are you doing to protect the others who do not wear masks? 

He might be quiet now, but #AnasIsComing. 

Watch this recent interview.

Farida Bedwei
Another Ghanaian I respect so much and feel some kind of way when I see her is Farida Bedwei. Disability is not inability - the inspiration that is Farida Bedwei. She has been to multiple Barcamps, etc. She inspires change. In 2011, I was honoured as one of 3 Ghanaians under 40 who had contributed greatly to Ghana. The fact that Farida Bedwei and Bright Simons were the other 2, made me feel great about this Legacy & legacy IDEAs awards.

Hear her speak at MIT's sister college, Wellesley.

Abedi Ayew

Am I cheating if I add the maestro - Abedi Pele? He was born in 1964. I mean, football is the passion of the nation and there is no one greater in influence than Abedi Pele - even if you say we did not qualify to the World Cup during his time. He is one of the greatest African footballers of all-time. My aunt's house was close to his in East Legon but that's not how I met him. I recently met him at the funeral of my brother-in-law's father at our alma mater - Ɔdadeɛ Alumni and Mentorship Center. Did you know he is a major shareholder of Izwe Loans? People always talk about how footballers use their money. I think Abedi has done well. He had great losses but ultimately, he had lots of great wins.  And aside that, 3 of his sons all played for the Black Stars. Now, that is greatness and influence. 

Watch his interview with KSM (TGIF).

Wait, so we still have not won an AFCON since Abedi thems in 1982? Hmmm, we need a lot more Black Stars - great Ghanaians - on and off the field.