Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka

 

Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka was a Ghanaian military leader who played a significant role in Ghana's history. He was born on September 26, 1926, in the Volta Region of the Gold Coast (now Ghana). Despite initially training to be a goldsmith, he later joined the military and began his career as a private in the Gold Coast Regiment.

Throughout his military career, Kotoka rose through the ranks, attending training in the United Kingdom and serving in various roles. He gained recognition for his leadership during Ghana's participation in the United Nations Operation in the Congo in 1960, where he was awarded for exceptional bravery.

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In the realm of politics, Kotoka became involved with Major Akwasi Amankwa Afrifa, and together they played a key role in the military coup that took place on February 24, 1966. This coup ended the presidency of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first president.

Following the successful coup, Kotoka was promoted to Major General and became a member of the National Liberation Council, the ruling body of the time. He held the position of Commissioner for the Ministry of Health and General Officer Commanding the Ghana Armed Forces.

Kotoka's life was cut short when a group of soldiers attempted to overthrow the government on April 17, 1967, in an operation known as "Guitar-boy." During the attempt, Lt. Moses Yeboah and his men captured Kotoka, and he was tragically stabbed and shot to death. He held the position of general officer commanding the Ghana armed forces at the time of his death.

In honor of his memory, Kotoka International Airport in Ghana was named after him. A statue of him used to stand at the airport, but it was removed for expansion projects. He was married to Mad. Monica Kotoka, and his life is remembered through poetry, such as the poem "Sea never dry" written by Irish poet Máire Mhac an tSaoi in his memory.