Nelson Agbesi

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

Honourable

Nelson Yawo Avega Agbesi
Member of Parliament for Dayi East
In office
24 September 1979 – 31 December 1981
PresidentHilla Limann
Preceded byDaniel Kwasi Avoke
(1969–1972)
Succeeded byCeased to exist
ConstituencyDayi East
19th Minister for Food and Agriculture (Ghana)
In office
December 1980 – 31 December 1981
PresidentHilla Limann
Preceded byE. K. Andah
Succeeded byBortei Doku
10th Volta Regional Minister
In office
December 1979 – December 1980
PresidentHilla Limann
Preceded byLt. Colonel G. K. Amevor
(Regional Commissioner)
Succeeded byF. Q. Amegah
Personal details
Born(1939-11-16)16 November 1939
Liati Wote, Gold Coast
Died11 May 2016(2016-05-11) (aged 76)
Resting placeLiati Wote, Ghana
NationalityGhanaian
Political partyPeople's National Party
Alma materUniversity of Ghana
ProfessionLawyer

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]

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