Ernest Akobuor Debrah (3 June 1947  – 6 April 2016)[1] was a Ghanaian politician.

Hon.
Ernest Akobuor Debrah
29th Minister for Food and Agriculture (Ghana)
In office
February 2005 – January 2009
PresidentJohn Kufuor
Preceded byMajor Courage Quashigah
Succeeded byKwesi Ahwoi
Member of Parliament for Tano North
Member of Parliament
for Tano North
In office
7 January 2009 – 6 January 2013
PresidentJohn Atta Mills
John Mahama
Succeeded byFreda Prempeh
Member of Parliament for Tano North
In office
7 January 2005 – 6 January 2009
PresidentJohn Kufuor
Preceded byJoe Donkor
Personal details
Born(1947-06-03)3 June 1947
DiedApril 6, 2016(2016-04-06) (aged 68)[1]
Accra, Ghana
Resting placeTanoso near Sunyani
NationalityGhanaianGhana 
Political partyNew Patriotic Party
Children5
Alma materKwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
ProfessionEconomist/Banker

Early life and education

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Ernest Kwaku Akobour Debrah was born on 3 June 1947 to James Emmanuel Debrah and Elizabeth Akosua Kontoh Debrah. He was the 3rd of twelve children born to his parents. He hails from Tanoso in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana.[2] After his basic and secondary education at Sunyani Secondary School and Ghana National College, Ernest Debrah graduated from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Land Economy.[2] He then proceeded to acquire a Master of Business Administration degree in management at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow in 1995.[3]

Career

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Debrah was an economist by profession.[2] He has worked as the chief manager of the Retain Banking Unit at the head office of Société Générale - Social Security Bank, later known as Societe Generale Ghana Limited.[2]

Politics

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Debrah was the Member of Parliament for the Tano North constituency in the 4th and 5th parliaments of the 4th republic of Ghana. He was the Minister for Food and Agriculture (February 2005 to January 2009), having previously served as Regional Minister for Brong-Ahafo and then Regional Minister for the Northern Region from February 2001 to January 2004. He was elected to Parliament from Tano North in December 2004. He was given an award in 2009 during the Farmers' Day celebrations.[4]

Elections

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Debrah was first elected as the member of parliament for the Tano North constituency in the 2004 Ghanaian general elections. He was elected with 15,868 votes out of 26,983 total valid votes cast. This was equivalent to 58.80% of total valid votes cast. He was elected over Charles Appiagyei of the National Democratic Congress, Nyamekye Florence of the Democratic People's Party, Daniel Dabie Boateng of the People's National Convention and Nana Ampabeng Daniel K Kyeremeh of the Convention People's Party. These obtained 10,253 votes, 485 votes, 210 votes and 167votes respectively of the total valid votes cast. These were equivalent to 38.00%, 1.80%, 0.80% and 0.60% respectively of all total valid votes cast in that election. Debrah won on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party.[5][6] His constituency was a part of the 14constituencies out of 24 constituencies won by the New Patriotic Party in the Brong Ahafo region in that election. In all, the New Patriotic Party won a majority total of 128 parliamentary representation out of 230 parliamentary seats in the 4th parliament of the 4th republic of Ghana.[7][8]

Debrah was re-elected as the Member of parliament for the Tano North constituency in the 2008 Ghanaian general elections. He was elected with 15,868votes out of 26983 total valid votes cast. This was equivalent to 58.80% of total valid votes cast. He was elected over Opoku Atuahene of the National Democratic Congress, Alhassan Kabore of the Convention People's Party, George Owusu Yeboah of the People's National Convention, Arkoh Ernest of the Democratic Freedom Party and Amanfo Antwi of the Democratic People's Party. These obtained 11,120votes, 363 votes, 214votes, 144votes and 101votes respectively of the total valid votes cast. These were equivalent to 38.36%, 1.25% , 0.74%, 0.50% and 0.35% respectively of total valid votes cast. Debrah was re-elected on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party.[8][9][10] His constituency was a part of 16 parliamentary seats out of 24 seats won by the New Patriotic Party in the Brong Ahafo region in that election.[11] In all, the New Patriotic Party won a minority total of 107 parliamentary representation out of 230 seats in the 5th parliament of the 4th republic of Ghana.[7]

Personal life

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Ernest Akobuor Debrah was a Christian and married with four children.[2] He died after a brief illness on Wednesday 6 April 2016, at his residence.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b Ernest Debrah, Former-Agric Minister Dies at 69, The Accra Report, 6 April 2016, retrieved 6 April 2016
  2. ^ a b c d e "Ghana MPs - MP Details - Debrah, Ernest Akobuor". 6 May 2016. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Ghana MPs - MP Details - Debrah, Ernest Akobuor". www.ghanamps.com. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  4. ^ "Ministry of Food And Agriculture Honours Past Ministers". Official Website. Ghana Government. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  5. ^ FM, Peace. "Ghana Election 2004 Results - Tano North Constituency". Ghana Elections - Peace FM. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  6. ^ Elections 2004; Ghana's Parliamentary and Presidential Elections. Accra: Electoral Commission of Ghana; Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. 2005. p. 135.
  7. ^ a b "Statistics of Presidential and Parliamentary Election Results". Fact Check Ghana. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  8. ^ a b FM, Peace. "Ghana Election 2004 Results - Brong Ahafo Region". Ghana Elections - Peace FM. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  9. ^ FM, Peace. "Ghana Election 2008 Results - Tano North Constituency". Ghana Elections - Peace FM. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  10. ^ Ghana Elections 2008. Accra: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. 2010. p. 73.
  11. ^ FM, Peace. "Ghana Election 2008 Results - Brong Ahafo Region". Ghana Elections - Peace FM. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  12. ^ "Ex-agric minister Ernest Debrah dead". www.ghanaweb.com. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
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Parliament of Ghana
Preceded by
Joe Donkor
Member of Parliament for Tano North
2005 – 2013
Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
?
Northern Region Minister
? –?
Succeeded by
?
Preceded by
?
Brong Ahafo Region Minister
2001 –2004
Succeeded by
?
Preceded by Minister for Food and Agriculture
2005 –2009
Succeeded by