Former Vice President Arkaah is Dead

A Ghanaian former Vice President Kow Nkensen Arkaah is dead, his family announced in Accra Thursday.

A family spokesman said Arkaah died in Atlanta, US, Wednesday, after being hospitalised for several days after a recent accident in Accra.

The ex-Vice President had a good academic background and a distinguished working career.

He was, however, very controversial in politics and gave himself the name "stubborn cat," after his conflict with former President Jerry Rawlings and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

A highlight was when he accused Rawlings of assaulting him at a cabinet meeting, a charge denied by Rawlings.

Arkaah was born 14 July, 1927 at Senya Beraku in Ghana's Central Region.

He had his secondary education at the Mfantsipim School from 1941-46 and Achimota College.

He obtained his first degree in Economics from Tufts College and a Master's in Business Administration from Harvard University in 1952-54.

Arkaah was appointed Assistant Sales Manager of Secony Oil Corporation of New York, and on his return to Ghana, he became Marketing Executive of the Mobil Oil Ghana Limited from 1954-57.

In 1958, he joined the civil service and rose to become a Principal Secretary in 1966-68.

From 1969-79, Arkaah held several positions in Ghana, Africa and Europe.

He was General manager of GNTC, Managing Director of Ghana Airways Corporation and Managing Director of Ghana National Procurement Agency.

Arkaah also worked in several countries as a consultant in the Gambia, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Yugoslavia and Ethiopia.

Well known for his immaculate dressing and love for bow ties, the former Vice President is survived by his widow and four Children.