Frank Bernasko

Frank George Bernasko (7 December 1930 – 3 June 2010)[1] was a retired Ghanaian soldier, lawyer, and politician. He served as the Commissioner of Agriculture among others in the National Redemption Council (NRC) military government of General I.K. Acheampong. He was also the founder and leader of the erstwhile Action Congress Party and contested the presidential election in 1979.

Frank Bernasko
Commissioner for Cocoa Affairs
In office
1975–1975
PresidentKutu Acheampong
Commissioner for Agriculture
In office
1973–1975
PresidentKutu Acheampong
Preceded byDaniel Addo
Succeeded byPaul Nkegbe
Central Regional Commissioner
In office
1972–1973
PresidentKutu Acheampong
Personal details
Born(1930-12-07)7 December 1930
Died3 June 2010(2010-06-03) (aged 79)
London
NationalityGhanaian
Political partyAction Congress Party
Other political
affiliations		NRC (Military government)
ResidenceUnited Kingdom
OccupationSoldier, lawyer, politician
Military service
AllegianceGhana
Branch/serviceGhana army
Years of service? – 1975
RankColonel
CommandsDirector of Education, Ghana Armed Forces
Director of Studies, Ghana Military Academy

Early life and education

Bernasko was born in Ghana. He completed his basic education at Cape Coast in the Central Region and Asante Mampong in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. His secondary education was completed at the Adisadel College also at Cape Coast. He then attended the University of the Gold Coast (now University of Ghana).[1]

Army career

Bernasko was an officer in the Ghana army and rose to the rank of Colonel. He was once the officer in charge of education at the Armed Forces Recruit Training Center in Kumasi. He also served as the Garrison Education Officer in Accra. He held the position of Director of Studies at the Ghana Military Academy and Training School at Teshie in Accra.[2] He later became the Director of Education for the Ghana Armed Forces.[1]

Politics

Military government

After the coup d'état of 13 January 1972 which overthrew the Busia government, he was appointed as the Central Regional Commissioner.[3][4] He later also served as the Commissioner of Agriculture[5] and then the Commissioner for the newly created ministry of Cocoa Affairs. He is also credited with being instrumental in the completion of various projects in the Region including the Regional House of Chiefs, the moving of prisons from the Cape Coast Castle and the Anomabo Fort.[2] While Commissioner for Agriculture, he supervised the "Operation Feed Yourself" programme geared towards ensuring national food self-sufficiency.[3] Bernasko is also credited with the success of the Dawhenya Irrigation Project and the increased uptake of agriculture which led to the first national agricultural show in 1974.[1]

1979 elections

Bernasko was one of the founders of the Action Congress Party, which was formed when the ban on party politics was raised in 1978. He contested the presidential elections in 1979 and came fourth, polling over 9% of the valid votes cast.[6]

National Reconciliation Commission hearings

Bernasko appeared before the National Reconciliation Commission to answer allegations of abuse of human rights while serving as Central Regional Commissioner in the NRC military regime. He denied these allegations.[7]

Retirement and death

Frank Bernasko took up private legal practice after leaving the NRC government. In later life, he resided in the United Kingdom.[2] He died in June 2010 at the St George's Hospital in Tooting, in the south of London.[8]

Honours

Bernasko was honoured by the chiefs and people of the Central Region during the Oguaa Fetu Afahye in 2008. This was in recognition of his services to the region especially when he was the Regional Commissioner in the NRC regime.[3]

References
  1. ""Operation Feed Yourself " man passes on". ghanadistricts.com. 8 July 2010. Archived from the original on 12 August 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  2. "Ghana: Oguaa Chiefs Honour Former Regional Commissioner". African News. allAfrica.com. Ghanaian Chronicle. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  3. "Oguaa Traditional Council awards Bernasko". General News of Saturday, 16 August 2008. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  4. "Chapter Five – Highlights Of Human Rights Violations And Abuses During The Mandate Period". National Reconciliation Commission Report. Ghana government. Archived from the original on 8 October 2008. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  5. "Former Heads of MoFA". Official website. Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  6. "June & July 1979 Presidential Election". African Elections Database:Elections in Ghana. Albert C. Nunley. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  7. "Bernasko Versus Amua-Sakyi". General News of Friday, 28 February 2003. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  8. zadoknathan@live.co.uk (8 June 2010). "COL FRANK BERNASKO PASSES AWAY". Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
Political offices
New title Commissioner for Cocoa Affairs
1975		 Succeeded by
Captain J. A. Kyeremeh
Preceded by
Daniel Addo		 Commissioner for Agriculture
1973–1975		 Succeeded by
Lt. Col. Paul Nkegbe
Preceded by
?		 Central Regional Commissioner
1972–1973		 Succeeded by
?
Party political offices
New title Action Congress Party Presidential Candidate
1979		 Party banned after coup
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