Nana Turkson Foundation

BACKGROUND/EDUCATION 

Nana Obo Atta Kojo Essoun, born Joseph Alex Turkson is the 1st traditional ruler of the people of Takoradi-Amanful. Nana Turkson as he was affectionately called by many was born in Takoradi, Western part of Ghana on 6th May, 1956 to Mr. Stephen Ekow Turkson, an electrical contructor and Mary Adjoa Fuah Cobbinah, trader both of blessed memory. Joseph happen to be the third child of his parent. He attended Bishop Essuah Memorial, Takoradi for his primary education and successfully passed his Middle School Leaving Certificate Examination in 1972.  He then graduated from St. John's School, Sekondi in 1977 and from Wesley College, Kumasi as a trained teacher in 1994. Nana continued to University of Capa Coast (UCC), Cape Coast for his BA (Hon) English/Akan and completed in the year 2000. In 2002, Nana Turkson moved to United Kingdom for advanced studies and received post graduate diploma in Early Childhood Studies from Roehampton University, London in 2005. Until Nana's demise he was just about concluding his Master's dissertation at University of Hertfordshire, London. Part of his thesis was supposed to be done in his native land, Takoradi-Amanful. Nana spent most of his formative years in Takoradi where he was mostly assisting the parent after school. He had the opportunity of tasting the life of both Amanful and Cassava Farm communities. 

Nana experienced God at the early stage of his through the mother. This was evident as he played major roles as Knight of the Altar boy (Mass Server) at Star of the Sea Cathedral, Takoradi. He remained a committed and practicing Catholic until his demise. He always made sure Christianity formed the basic lives of all his kids, closed relatives and friends. He was very accommodating to the extent that he shared his room and food with close friends and relatives.

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PROFESSIONAL CAREER/FAMILY LIFE

Joseph loved to teach and train young ones especially. He did pick an early teaching as pupil's teacher at Dadieso in late 80s. As a professional teacher (1994), Nana thought in Anglican Primary/JHS at Mpohor in early 1990s and later moved to Anglican Primary/JHS at Takoradi. Upon his graduation from UCC, Nana Turkson accepted an English Tutor role at Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS), Takoradi between 2000 - 2002. He moved and lived in UK end of 2002 for further studies and later worked at Kings College Hospital, London until 2012. He had a very good relationship with his working colleagues, neighbours and friends wherever he lived in London.

Nana Obo Atta Kojo Essoun was very active in sporting activities. He was mostly seen helping school sporting teams with the necessary technical coaching before matches in all the schools he thought. During his days in St. John's School, Nana played a major role in the school drama group, science club and volley ball team. He was very instrumental in the cultural and drama society for Freeman-Vera Hall which won him many awards.

Nana Turkson was very passionate about children getting the best foundation in academics. Most of his students testifies his approach to teaching which always focused more on getting good understanding of the basis of every topic was the best they ever had.

Mr. Joseph A. Turkson was married to Mrs Mercy Enyonam Turkson (maiden name - Mercy Worsonu) on 12th October 1995 and were blessed with four (4) wonderful children (2 boys and 2 girls). Because Joseph saw education as a priority, he ensured that all children have Bachelors degree as the minimum education. He was such a lovely dad who even though spend most time on campus furthering his education during the formative years of his wards made sure he bounded well with them anytime he is home. He spent a lot more time with them to finish off their assignments and take them through series of test during vacations to keep the brain active. Nana had a sense of humur and gift of story telling which made all children gather around him almost evening when he's free. He was always seen with family at home, family social gathering and church service.

He had a soft heart for needy children which got him the acronym 'Father Christmas' from the his family. He took full care of most of the needy children of extended families. He paid their school fees, fed them three square meals everyday and cloth them. After his untimely demise, most of these dependents had to drop out of school and start hustling along Takoradi street for survival.

Nana had a flare for clean debates and following up on current affairs issues both national and international. He was always found glued to his radio set most often tune to BBC and CNN. He was very good with analysis of critical issues and not quick to judge without thorough review of issues on the table.

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CHIEF OF TAKORADI-AMANFUL

The people of native Amanful who originally settled along the coast of present Takoradi harbour had to re-settle at their present location in 1927 to make way for the construction of the Takoradi harbour. Along the line they got divided during the re-settlement, one group followed the chief, Nana Yalley Kwaw to re-setlle at the present New Amanful (Amanful Kuma) and the other group followed the queenmother Effiekesim Nana Mansa to settle at the present location Takoradi-Amanful. 

Nana Obo Atta Kojo Essoun was enstooled as 1st chief of Takoradi-Amanful in 1994 since the arrival of his ancestors to Takoradi-Amanful. His enstoolment took a while since some other parties challenged the sovereignty of the people of Takoradi-Amanful in the law court between 1991 and 1994. He was successfully enstooled  and gazetted as chief of Takoradi-Amanful 19th November 1994 after the court ruled in favour of the people of Takoradi-Amanful. He was paraded through the principal streets of Takoradi and the final rites which was witnessed by most chiefs and sub-chiefs from neighbouring suburbs of Takoradi took place in the Takoradi-Amanful palace. He subsequently joined the Western Regional House of Chiefs and National House of Chiefs respectively. 

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Nana had to put in place lots of measures to re-conscientized the people of Takoradi-Amanful of the need to unite as a people and plan for the future of the Takoradi-Amanful Traditional area. Since the people did not have a leader for a long while, it was a challenge bringing all people especially the younger ones together. Nana Turkson made a lot of efforts with his wonderful skills in IT to put history of the people of Takoradi-Amanful on the global web. He did published the archived history of the court proceedings during the re-settlement in 1909 - early 1950s on the world wide web. Nana Obo Atta Kojo Essoun lectured most of the younger ones on the history of their ancestors anytime he had the opportunity to meet them.

Nana was always found pushing through the regional house of chief and government representatives in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis to make a case for the increase in developmental quota for his people. This was evident in his last press release in ....... with other western regional chief, where he reminded the government of the need to desist from public/recreational land sales for private and ensure the expansion of Cape Coast road using part of the oil and gas revenue (click link below).

http://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/local/news/201302/157179.php

Plans were far advanced to engage the government and private sector to find the best ways of bringing developers to Takoradi-Amanful and re-construct some of the old indigenous houses into modern business and commercial building on using workable business models. 

Nana believed in the youth development and his integrity was well known across all the places and people who meet him when he lived with us on earth.