Kojo Bonsu

Kojo Bonsu is a Ghanaian businessman, sports administrator and politician,who served as the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) doubling as the Mayor of Kumasi from 2013 to 2016. He is a member of the National Democratic Congress.[1][2]

Hon.

Kojo Bonsu
Mayor of Kumasi
In office
March 2013 – July 2016
Preceded bySamuel Sarpong
Succeeded byOsei Assibey Antwi
Personal details
Nationality Ghanaian
Political partyNational Democratic Congress
ProfessionSports administrator, marketing personnel

Early life and education

Bonsu is a native of Offinso a town in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.[3] He had his Ordinary Level education at the Tamale Secondary School, between 1974 and 1979.[4] In 1981, Bonsu then moved to the Drayton School in London,England where he acquired his Advanced Level Certificate. Between 1985 and 1990, when Bonsu joined giant sports kit manufacturers, Adidas, he enrolled into their football Business Unit at Herzogenaurach, Germany, and in the process obtained a Diploma in Sports Business and Marketing.[5]

Career

Early career

After completing his training in sports Business and marketing, Bonsu worked with Adidas and became their first representative in West Africa and served as an Assistant Marketing Officer. He rose to become the kit maker's manager in Ghana and the whole of West Africa.[6] Within which period he brokered deals between the company and the Ghana football Association specifically the Ghana football national team.[5][6]

Football administration
"You were the key advocate on the board when the monumental decision to rebrand GOIL was taken – the results of which have seen GOIL being propelled to the number one position (retail) among oil marketing companies in Ghana”.

– Citation of Honour by managing director of GOIL, Mr. Patrick A.K. Akorli, 19 October 2015.[7]

He is a former director of Tamale based club Real Tamale United.[8] Bonsu was also an executive member of Asante Kotoko.[9][10] In 2003 he launched his bid to be the Ghana Football Association's President.[9][11] He went against former president of the GFA Kwesi Nyantakyi, politician and executive member of Accra Hearts of Oak, Vincent Odotei Sowah, a former FA vice-chairman, Joseph Ade Coker and former executive council chairman, Y.A Ibrahim.[12] He subsequently lost to Kwesi Nyantakyi in the elections in December 2005.[13][14]

Mayor Kojo Bonsu interacting with US Ambassador Robert P. Jackson during his visit to Kumasi

In January 2010, Bonsu was appointed board chairman of the National Sports Authority then a council under the Ministry of Youth and Sports.[15][16] Bonsu is known to have spearheaded the re-branding of the sports council until it subsequently became a sports authority.[16][17]

Managing Director of Goil

Bonsu served as a board member for Ghana Oil Company (GOIL)from July 2009 to April 2015. He also became acting managing director of the company after their long serving managing director Yaw Agyemang-Duah retired after serving with the company for 16 years.[18]

He served as managing director role from July 2011 to February 2012. In October 2015, He was acknowledged and honoured by the company for playing a key role in the company's rebranding process.[19][20]

Mayor of Kumasi

In 2013, then President, John Dramani Mahama nominated Bonsu for the position of Metropolitan Chief Executive for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.[21][22] In July 2016, he vacated his office and resigned after the Kumasi Traditional Council called him to order for his decision to take Nana Agyenim Boateng the Amoamanhene off the Kejetia project board without giving a notice to Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene.[23]

He is the founder and former publisher of Agoo Magazine an African lifestyle magazine that was founded in 2001.[24][25][26]

Political career

Ahead of the 2020 elections, in September 2018 towards the National Democratic Congress' Presidential primaries he declared his intention to contest as Party's President flagbearership role.[6] In December 2018, he announced his decision to drop out of the race for the role and threw his support to whoever would emerge winner at the end of the primaries.[27]

Personal life

He is an avid supporter of Ghanaian based club Asante Kotoko.[28][29]

References
  1. "I'm not incompetent – Kojo Bonsu". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  2. MyNewsGH (20 October 2018). "I joined NDC because of my 'cousin, godmother and mentor' Konadu Rawlings- Kojo BONSU opens up". MyNewsGh. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  3. "Offinso chiefs hail 'true son' Kojo Bonsu". MyJoyOnline.com. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  4. "Tamale Secondary School and 60 years of secondary education in northern Ghana". MyJoyOnline.com. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  5. "Kojo Bonsu Breeezes Into Town". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  6. "Former KMA Boss, Kojo Bonsu joins NDC Flagbearer race". Citinewsroom – Comprehensive News in Ghana. 28 September 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  7. "'GOIL honours Kumasi Mayor, Kojo Bonsu | myjoyonline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  8. Abayateye, Felix (12 January 2010). Graphic Sports: Issue 2,773 January 12–14 2010. Graphic Communications Group.
  9. "Kojo Bonsu Bids For GFA Chairmanship". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  10. "Ghana could have won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil- Ex-Kotoko board member Kojo Bonsu claims". Primenews.com.gh. 5 December 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  11. Boadu-Ayeboafoh, Yaw (10 December 2005). Daily Graphic: Issue 149608 December 10 2005. Graphic Communications Group.
  12. "GFA votes for new president today". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  13. "Nyantakyi wins GFA election". www.ghanaweb.com. 30 December 2005. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  14. "Nyantakyi's fairytale reign". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  15. Abayateye, Felix (12 January 2010). Graphic Sports: Issue 2,773 January 12–14 2010. Graphic Communications Group.
  16. ANA (5 November 2010). "National Sports Council unveils new logo | AfricaNewsAnalysis". Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  17. "I feel vindicated over Public Interest Committee set up- Kojo Bonsu". MyJoyOnline.com. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  18. Ghana News Agency (10 August 2011). "GOIL gets new Managing Director". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  19. "GOIL honours Kumasi Mayor, Kojo Bonsu". MyJoyOnline.com. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  20. "GOIL honours Kojo Bonsu for role in rebranding". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  21. Ghana, News (29 March 2013). "Mr Kojo Bonsu has been nominated by President Mahama as Kumasi Mayor". News Ghana. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  22. Frimpong, Enoch Darfah (29 March 2013). "Kojo Bonsu nominated as Kumasi Mayor". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  23. "Kojo Bonsu resigns as KMA Boss". Citi 97.3 FM – Relevant Radio. Always. 12 July 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  24. Acquah, Edward (20 April 2018). "Agoo Magazine unveils its new look". Kasapa102.5FM. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  25. "Agoo Magazine unveils its new look with Yvonne Nelson & daughter on cover". LiveXtra Ghana. 20 April 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  26. "Joy FM partners Agoo Magazine for Ghana As One dinner". MyJoyOnline.com. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  27. "Kojo Bonsu 'checks out' of NDC flagbearer race". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  28. Abayateye, Felix (12 January 2010). Graphic Sports: Issue 2,773 January 12–14 2010. Graphic Communications Group.
  29. "The mystery of NDC's vice-presidential candidate". MyJoyOnline.com. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
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