List of Ghanaians in the United Kingdom

Part of a series on
British people
United Kingdom
Eastern European
Northern European
Southern European
Western European
Central Asian
East Asian
South Asian
Southeast Asian
West Asian
African
Caribbean
Northern American
South American
Oceanian

Ghanaians in the United Kingdom

This is a list of notable Ghanaians in the United Kingdom. The person's Ghanaian citizenship and connection to the Republic of Ghana is shown in birthplace and parentheses.

Reggie Yates
Anita Asante
Paul Sackey
Lisa I'Anson
Lord Paul Boateng
Adam Afriyie
Rachel Yankey
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
James Harper
William Boyd
Sam Gyimah
Person Profession/notability Place of birth Link to Ghana Ref.
Sir David Adjaye, Knight Bachelor / OBE Architect Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Ghanaian mother and father [1][2]
William Adoasi Entrepreneur Camberwell, London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [3]
Adam Afriyie British Conservative Party politician, businessman and multimillionaire London, Greater London, UK English mother, Ghanaian father [4][5]
Albert Adomah Professional footballer for Bristol City F.C. and Ghana national football team London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [6]
Freema Agyeman Television and film actress Hackney, Greater London, UK Iranian mother, Ghanaian father [7]
Patrick Agyemang Professional footballer for Queens Park Rangers F.C. and Ghana national football team London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [8]
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey Sprinter London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [9]
John Akomfrah, CBE Film director and screenwriter Accra, Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [10]
Adjoa Andoh Film, television, stage and voice actress Clifton, Bristol Ghanaian mother and father [11][12]
Samata Angel Fashion designer Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK Ghanaian mother and father [13]
Joey Ansah Actor and martial artist London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [14]
Maxwell "Lethal Bizzle" Ansah Musician and rapper London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [15]
Kwesi Appiah Professional footballer for Crystal Palace F.C. and Ghana national football team London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [16]
Amma Asante, MBE Writer and film director Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [17][18]
Anita Asante Professional female footballer for Göteborg FC and the England women's national football team London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [19][20]
Clare-Hope Ashitey Actress London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [21]
Guvna B Musician London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [22]
Terry Baddoo CNN International news reporter and columnist for World Football Insider London, Greater London, UK English mother, Ghanaian father [23]
James Barnor Photographer Accra, Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [24]
Errol "Kojo Funds" Bellot Musician and rapper London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother, Dominican father [25]
Rhian Benson Soul and jazz singer-songwriter Accra, Ghana Welsh mother, Ghanaian father [26]
Matty Blythe professional rugby league footballer for Warrington Wolves Salford, Greater Manchester, UK Ghanaian mother, English father [27]
[28]
Abrantee Boateng Radio DJ, TV presenter and club DJ London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [29]
Daniel Boateng Professional footballer for Arsenal F.C. London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [30]
Eric Boateng Professional basketball player for Peristeri B.C. and the Great Britain national basketball team London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [31]
Ozwald Boateng, OBE Fashion designer London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [32]
Lord Paul Boateng, The Right Honourable / PC British Labour Party politician and member of the House of Lords London, Greater London, UK Scottish mother, Ghanaian father [33]
William Boyd, CBE Novelist and screenwriter Accra, Ghana Half-Ghanaian and half-Scottish mother, Scottish father [34]
Margaret Busby, CBE Publisher (founder of Allison and Busby), writer, editor, broadcaster Accra, Ghana Ghanaian mother, Caribbean father [35]
Paigey Cakey MC, rapper, singer and actress Hackney, Greater London, UK Ghanaian father, English mother
Dr Gus Casely-Hayford, OBE Executive Director (CEO) of Arts Strategy for Arts Council England, curator and cultural historian Ghana Sierra Leonean mother, Ghanaian father [36]
Joe Casely-Hayford, OBE Fashion designer Ghana Sierra Leonean mother, Ghanaian father [36]
Margaret Casely-Hayford, CBE Lawyer, Executive Chair of ActionAid UK London, Greater London, UK Sierra Leonean mother, Ghanaian father [37]
Tinchy Stryder Rapper, music executive, businessman and multimillionaire Accra, Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [38]
Jaye Davidson Actor Riverside, California, US English mother, Ghanaian father [39]
Chris Dickson Professional footballer for AEL Limassol and Ghana national football team London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother, Jamaican father [40]
Efua Dorkenoo, OBE Campaigner Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [41]
Idris Elba, OBE Television, theatre, and film actor London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother, Sierra Leonean father [42]
Edward Enninful, OBE Editor-in-chief of British Vogue Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [43]
Ekow Eshun Former artistic director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (London), journalist, writer, and broadcaster London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [44]
Kodwo Eshun Writer, theorist and filmmaker Ghanaian mother and father [45]
Paapa Essiedu Actor Southwark, London, England Ghanaian parents
Emmanuel Frimpong Professional footballer for Arsenal F.C. and Ghana national football team Kumasi, Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [46]
Ian "Donae'o" Greenidge Rapper, singer, and musician known for his hit single "Party Hard" London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [47][48]
Sam Gyimah Liberal Democrat politician, former Member of Parliament for East Surrey Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, UK Ghanaian mother and father [49]
James Harper Professional footballer for Hull City A.F.C. Chelmsford, Essex, UK Ghanaian mother, English father [50]
Afua Hirsch Journalist Norway Ghanaian mother, British father
Kobna Holdbrook-Smith Actor Accra, Ghana
Cab Kaye Jazz musician London, Greater London, UK Half-Dutch and half-English mother, Ghanaian father [51]
Kanya King, CBE Founder of the MOBO Awards London, Greater London, UK Irish mother, Ghanaian father [52]
Esther Krakue Political commentator Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [53]
Jeanette Kwakye Sprinter London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [54]
Ras Kwame Radio DJ and radio presenter Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [12]
Kwasi Kwarteng Politician and current Chancellor of the Exchequer London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [55]
Lisa l'Anson Broadcaster and VJ London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother, Danish father [56]
Peter Mensah Actor Accra, Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [57]
Pops Mensah-Bonsu Professional basketball player for Beşiktaş Milangaz and the Great Britain national basketball team London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [58]
Dylan "Dizzee Rascal" Mills Rapper and music executive London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother, Nigerian father [59]
The Mitchell Brothers Musician London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and English father [60]
Melvin O'Doom Comedian, radio DJ and television presenter Bedford, Bedfordshire, UK Ghanaian mother, Ghanaian father [61]
Abena Oppong-Asare Labour politician, Member of Parliament for Erith and Thamesmead London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [62][63]
Mark "Neutrino" Osei-Tutu Musician, professional rugby player London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [28]
Belinda Owusu Actress London, Greater London, UK English mother, Ghanaian father [64]
Lloyd Owusu Former professional footballer Slough, England [65]
Hugh Quarshie Actor Accra, Ghana Half-Dutch and half-English mother, Ghanaian father [66]
Nigel Quashie Professional footballer; only the second black player to represent Scotland in football, and the first since Andrew Watson in 1881 Southwark, Greater London, England English mother, Ghanaian father [67]
Caleb Quaye Rock guitarist and musician London, Greater London, UK Scottish mother, part-Ghanaian, part-Dutch and part-English father [51]
Finley Quaye Musician Edinburgh, Scotland Scottish mother, part-Ghanaian, part-Dutch and part-English father [68]
Lord Bernard Ribeiro, Knight Bachelor / CBE Surgeon, former President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England Achimota, Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [69]
Bell Ribeiro-Addy Labour politician, Member of Parliament for Streatham Streatham, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [70]
Paul Sackey Professional rugby union player for Stade Français and the England national rugby union team London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [71]
Derek "Sway DaSafo" Safo Musician London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [72]
Lloyd Sam Professional footballer for Leeds United F.C. Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Ghanaian mother and father [73]
June Sarpong, OBE Television presenter London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [74]
Adrien Sauvage Fashion designer, film director and photographer London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [75]
Alex Sawyer Actor Kent, England, UK Ghanaian mother, half-Finnish and half-English father [27]
Jeffrey Schlupp Professional footballer for Crystal Palace F.C. and Ghana national football team Hamburg, Germany Ghanaian mother and father [76]
Dennis Tuffour professional rugby league footballer for York City Knights London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [27]
Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah British Military Officer, First Black equerry in British monarch history Accra, Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [77]
William Vanderpuye Actor and renowned voice-over artist London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother, Dutch father [27]
[78]
Danny Welbeck Professional footballer for Arsenal F.C. and England national football team Longsight, Greater Manchester, UK Ghanaian mother and father [79]
Arthur Wharton First black professional association football player in the world Jamestown, formerly Gold Coast now Ghana Ghanaian mother, half-Grenadian and half-Scottish father [80]
Rachel Yankey, OBE Professional female footballer for Arsenal W.F.C. and the England women's national football team London, Greater London, UK English mother, Ghanaian father [81]
[82]
Reggie Yates Actor, television presenter and radio DJ London, Greater London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [83]
Lynette Yiadom-Boakye Painter London, UK Ghanaian mother and father [84]
Joshua Buatsi Boxer, Olympic Bronze medalist Accra, Ghana Ghanaian mother and father [85]
DJ Zel Radio DJ UK Ghanaian mother and father [86]

References and notes

  1. ^ Eoghan MacGuire & Lauren Said-Moorhouse (4 November 2011). "'Starchitect' David Adjaye on his favorite buildings". CNN. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  2. ^ "Black culture museum for UK 'long overdue'". BBC News. 2 February 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  3. ^ Parke, Phoebe. "Richard Branson believes in this start up". CNN. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  4. ^ "MP Says Don't Call Me 'Black'". The-Latest.com. 24 January 2006. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  5. ^ "BBC Radio Berkshire - Bridgitte Tetteh, Windsor MP Adam Afriyie on his love of all things Ghanaian". BBC. 12 March 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  6. ^ Kent Mensah (7 September 2011). "Bristol City's Albert Adomah has bright future with Ghana – coach Goran Stevanovic". Goal.com. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  7. ^ Jury, Louise (23 March 2007). "From council estate to Tardis: rise of the Timelord's sidekick". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 19 October 2007. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  8. ^ "England-based Duo To Play For Stars". GhanaWeb. 30 May 2003. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  9. ^ "A rising star". BBC Sport. 30 January 2006. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  10. ^ "John Akomfrah – ICARUS Films". icarusfilms.com. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  11. ^ Graham, Natalie (23 March 2003), "Fame & Fortune: How TV nurse cured her money woes", The Sunday Times.
  12. ^ a b "'We Are The Black Stars!'". The Voice. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  13. ^ Sarah Mason (13 August 2007). "First black British Ghanaian designer". ModernGhana. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  14. ^ Djembe Online – No 28: Kofi Ansah: Celebration of local fabrics Archived 27 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "Interview: Lethal Bizzle", Time Out Accra.
  16. ^ "Kwesi Appiah: 'Crystal Palace move felt like it was meant to be'". thisiscroydontoday.co.uk. 6 February 2012. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  17. ^ Eshun, Ekow (4 November 2007). "Young, gifted and black: Arts and literature choices". The Independent. London. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  18. ^ "Film director Amma Asante honoured by Queen Elizabeth II". www.myjoyonline.com. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  19. ^ "British Back Row – Anita Asante". Viewmagazine.tv. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  20. ^ "Chelsea Ladies re-sign midfielder Anita Asante". www.myjoyonline.com. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  21. ^ "Claire-Hope Ashitey plays Kee in The Children of Men". Interview. sadibey.com. 2006. Archived from the original (doc) on 16 March 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  22. ^ Tony Cummings (16 February 2011). "Guvna B: The MOBO-winning MC maintaining mixtape momentum". crossrhythms.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  23. ^ "Africa can't have World Cup glory without responsibility". sportsillustrated.cnn.com. CNN. Archived from the original on 5 June 2001. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  24. ^ Kwaku, "Lucky Jim, still working at 81", New African, April 2011, pp. 80–82.
  25. ^ Awoyera, Alison (17 May 2018). "Kojo Funds Is the Afro-Swing King of the UK's Black Diaspora". vice.com. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  26. ^ "Rhian Benson". Ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  27. ^ a b c d "English people of Ghanaian descent". Times of India. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  28. ^ a b British People of Ghanaian Descent, 18 August 2009.
  29. ^ "DJ Abrantee To Host Fabolous Live in Ghana Concert". ghanamma.com. 12 April 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  30. ^ "Arsenal Youth Boateng wants to play for Ghana". ghanaweb.com. 13 June 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  31. ^ Brian Heyman (29 November 2009). "Career Begun in London Is Flourishing in Desert". The New York Times. US. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  32. ^ Philby, Charlotte (19 January 2008). "How do I look?: Ozwald Boateng". The Independent. London. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  33. ^ Odoi-Larbi, Stephen. "Intra-Africa trade is key to Africa's success -Lord Paul Boateng". The Ghanaian Chronicle. London. Archived from the original on 3 June 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  34. ^ "William Boyd – Biography". williamboyd.co.uk. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  35. ^ Shereen Ali, "Sharing our Voices", Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, 29 April 2015.
  36. ^ a b "Joe Casely-Hayford". Fashion Model Directory. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  37. ^ Lysanne Currie, "Margaret Casely-Hayford: The ActionAid UK chair talks talent, diversity and building a great company culture", Director, 1 October 2015.
  38. ^ "Tinchy Stryder – Tinchy Stryder 'Normal' In Ghana". Contactmusic.com. 24 July 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  39. ^ "Ethnic background is important to many". blackflix.com. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  40. ^ "Dickson gets Ghana call". Charlton Athletic F.C. 19 December 2012. Archived from the original on 11 May 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  41. ^ "Northern Territory Library" (PDF). nretas.nt.gov.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 April 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  42. ^ "Ghanaian-born Idris Elba to establish film studio, health centre in West Africa". Ghana Business News. 5 April 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  43. ^ Young, Sarah (10 April 2017). "British Vogue appoints Edward Enninful as first ever male Editor-in-Chief". The Independent.
  44. ^ Young, Sarah. "Black Gold of the Sun by Ekow Eshun". The Independent. London. Retrieved 17 March 2012.[dead link‍]
  45. ^ "Kodwo Eshun: An Interview | Video Data Bank". www.vdb.org. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  46. ^ "Young Guns: Midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 9 February 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  47. ^ "Official Donae'o". Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  48. ^ "My-Ish Music". Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  49. ^ Cassidy, Sarah (9 September 2014). "Sam Gyimah interview: Life-changing events often occur in early days of learning". The Independent. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  50. ^ "Harper rejects World Cup chance". BBC Sport. BBC. 27 April 2006. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  51. ^ a b "Cab Kaye: An Exhuberant [sic] Voice in British Jazz". The Scotsman. jazzhouse.org. 2000. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  52. ^ "Kanya King – Biography". womenspeakers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  53. ^ "Pardon Our Interruption".
  54. ^ Broadbent, Rick (18 August 2008). "Jeanette Kwakye looks to 2012 after 100m success". The Times. London. Retrieved 7 March 2012.[dead link‍]
  55. ^ "Distinguished friends". migrationmuseum.org. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  56. ^ "Lisa I'Anson – BBC Radio One DJ". britkid.org. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  57. ^ "Spartacus Cast Doctore – Peter Mensah". starz.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  58. ^ Brady, Erik (22 February 2006). "George Washington back on the national scene". USA Today. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  59. ^ Burrell, Ian (19 September 2009). "Streets ahead: Dizzee Rascal". The Independent. London. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  60. ^ "The Mitchell Brothers – Biography". uk-rap.com. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  61. ^ "British people of Ghanaian descent". The Economic Times. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  62. ^ "Ghanaian-British Politician, Abena Oppong-Asare, wins Erith and Thamesmead seat in 2019 UK elections". www.pulse.ng. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  63. ^ "UK elections: Two Ghanaian women win seats for Labour". The Ghana Report. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  64. ^ "Belinda Owusu – Biography". tv.com. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  65. ^ "Lloyd Owusu inducted into English club's Hall of Fame". www.ghanaweb.com. 11 July 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  66. ^ "Hugh Quarshie – Holby City's African chief". BBC. 6 September 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  67. ^ "Quashie Snubs Ghana – Opts For Scotland". Modern Ghana. 18 May 2004. Retrieved 7 March 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  68. ^ "Pop star Finley Quaye". scotsman.com. 3 January 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  69. ^ "Lord Ribeiro – MPs, Lords & offices". parliament.uk. Archived from the original on 1 February 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  70. ^ Ribeiro-Addy, Bell (13 March 2020). ""Let's address the historic injustices of the British empire" – Bell Ribeiro-Addy's maiden speech". LabourList. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  71. ^ "Ghanaian Connection: Famous people with Ghanaian heritage". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  72. ^ Alexis Akwagyiram (3 March 2007). "Timeline: Ghana's modern musical history". BBC. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  73. ^ "Ghana kick-start Lloyd Sam switch". Kickoff Magazine. 18 October 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  74. ^ "June Sarpong – Ghana Nation". Ghananation.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  75. ^ Robert Johnston. "Two's company". London: GQ. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  76. ^ Michael Lightfoot (15 March 2012). "Jeffrey Schlupp hoping to meet Ghanaian hero Essien when Leicester City meet Chelsea". Goal.com. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  77. ^ Logan, Ross (10 July 2017). "Meet the new man who will be at the Queen's side when Prince Philip retires". express.co.uk. express. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  78. ^ Poverty Reduction Strategies in Action: Perspectives and Lessons from Ghana, 24 December 2007 "William Vanderpuye - Actor V". Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012..
  79. ^ Thompson, Gemma (20 November 2008). "Papers: Credit to Cole". Manchester United. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  80. ^ "Life of black footballer honoured". BBC News. 11 November 2004. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  81. ^ Kessel, Anna (29 October 2006). "Colour blind". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
  82. ^ Lavery, Aron (30 July 2010). "Rachel Yankey: a ton of success for the England women's star". Umbro, Umbro.com. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  83. ^ "Who do You Think You Are? Season 11".
  84. ^ Cooke, Rachel (31 May 2015). "Lynette Yiadom-Boakye: artist in search of the mystery figure". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077.
  85. ^ "BoxRec: Joshua Buatsi".
  86. ^ "Meet DJ Zel, the youngest Ghanaian - UK based International DJ". www.ghanaweb.com. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.

See also