Nelson Agbesi Explained

Honorific Prefix:Honourable
Nelson Yawo Avega Agbesi
Native Name:instead.-->
Office:Member of Parliament for Dayi East
Term Start:24 September 1979
Term End:31 December 1981
Constituency:Dayi East
Predecessor:Daniel Kwasi Avoke
(1969–1972)
Successor:Ceased to exist
Order2:19th
Office2:Minister for Food and Agriculture (Ghana)
Term Start2:December 1980
Term End2:31 December 1981
Predecessor2:E. K. Andah
Successor2:Bortei Doku
Order3:10th
Office3:Volta Regional Minister
Term Start3:December 1979
Term End3:December 1980
Predecessor3:Lt. Colonel G. K. Amevor
(Regional Commissioner)
Successor3:F. Q. Amegah
Birth Date:16 November 1939
Resting Place:Liati Wote, Ghana
Nationality:Ghanaian
Profession:Lawyer
Mawards:is not set -->

Nelson Yawo Avega Agbesi (1939–2016) was a Ghanaian barrister and politician.

Early life and education

Nelson Agbesi was born on 16 November 1939 at Liati Wote in the then Trans-Volta Togoland and later Gold Coast but now in the Volta Region of Ghana. Between 1956 and 1961, Nelson received his secondary education at Mawuli School where he obtained the GCE Ordinary level and Advanced level. He entered the University of Ghana where he read law. He completed in 1964, graduating with the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Law. He continued to the Ghana Law School which he completed in 1996. He was called to the Bar in October 1966.[1]

Law career

Agbesi first worked as a junior legal practitioner with Lynes Quarshie Idun and partners between 1966 and 1969. He became the senior partner Ameyi Chambers from 1969 until 1979 when he became a member of parliament. He rejoined the Ameyi Chambers in November 1982. On 15 March 1989, he established the Afadzato Chambers in Accra.[1]

Politics

Agbesi was a member of the People's National Party. He contested the 1979 Ghanaian general election and won the East Dayi seat. He became the Member of Parliament from 24 September 1979 until parliament was dissolved and the constitution suspended on 31 December 1981.

Agbesi was made a Minister of State by President Hilla Limann. He was first appointed the Volta Regional Minister[2] in December 1979. He held this post until December 1980 when he was shifted to Minister for Food and Agriculture replacing E. K. Andah in a cabinet reshuffle. He held this position until the 31 December 1981 military coup d'état replaced the Limann government with the Provisional National Defence Council of Jerry Rawlings. Agbesi was detained at Nsawam Prisons following the coup. No adverse findings were made against him by the National Investigations Committee so he was released from custody.[1]

Other activities

Agbesi was a member of the Lions Clubs International.[3] He was made a District Governor[4] and the Melvin Jones Fellowship for his meritorious services. The Tema Supreme Lions Club built the Lion Nelson Agbesi Solar Learning Shed on the Yatsovukope Island on the Volta Lake in his honour to help children have a place of study after school.[5] Agbesi was instrumental in getting the Lions Club to help finance a Community Clinic at Liati Wote in 2004.[6]

Family

Agbesi's parents were Patrick Kosi Avega who was Mankrado Adzotsomor III of Liati Wote and Philomena Akosuavi Masroh of Agu Akumawu in the Togo. He was married to Nayra Klu for 47 years until his death. He had seven children.[1] He was laid to rest in a mausoleum near his residence at Liati Wote in the Volta Region.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Debates of 30 Jun 2016 . Odekro . Parliament of Ghana . 30 June 2016 . 31 July 2020 .
  2. News: Set Up Watch C'ttees . 31 July 2020 . Daily Graphic . 9106 . Graphic Communications Group Ltd . 1 February 1980 . Accra.
  3. Web site: Ghana Lions Club launches 25th Anniversary . businessghana.com . Business Ghana . 31 July 2020 . 23 January 2013.
  4. Serving Together – Message from the District Governor. District 403 – A2 Newsletter . January 2013 . 6 . 31 July 2020.
  5. Web site: Tema Supreme Lions Club District 418 Ghana . Tema Supreme Lions Club . 31 July 2020.
  6. Web site: REPORT 1 – TELLING THE STORY OF THE PAST, LIATI WOTE – FEBRUARY 2017 . steppingstonesforafrica.org . Stepping Stones for Africa Foundation . 31 July 2020 . 24 February 2017.