Jones Ofori Atta

Akwasi Andrews Jones Amoako Atta Ofori Atta (7 December 1937 – 30 November 2020) was a Ghanaian economist and politician. He was a senior lecturer in economics at the University of Ghana and served as ministerial secretary (deputy minister) for Finance and Economic Planning in the Busia government.

Early life and education Jones was born on 7 December 1937 at Fankyeneko in the Eastern region to Nana Sir Ofori Atta I; the Omanhene of Akyem Abuakwa between 1912 and 1943. He had his early education at the Kibi Government School from 1943 to 1950 and his secondary education at Achimota School from 1950 to 1957. He proceeded to the University of Ghana from 1958 to 1961. He left for Canada to study at the University of Ottawa in 1962. He was awarded his doctorate degree in 1965.

Lectureship He joined the faculty of the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg as an assistant professor in Economics from 1965 to 1966. He was also a visiting lecturer at the University of Manchester from 1966 to 1967. In 1967, he was appointed a lecturer in economics at the University of Ghana. In 1969 he left his teaching post at the university to contest for political office. That same year, he was appointed ministerial secretary (deputy minister) for the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning by the then prime minister Kofi Abrefa Busia. He held this appointment until 1972 when the Busia government was overthrown by the National Redemption Council. While in parliament, he also served as the opposition spokesman on finance and economic planning. He served in these roles from 1979 until 1981 when the Limann government was overthrown.

In 1992, he stood for the seat of the Fanteakwa constituency on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party. He lost the seat to K. Amfo of the National Democratic Congress in a controversial contest in which results of the contest were disputed by the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress.

In 1996, he was one of the presidential aspirants for the New Patriotic Party. In 1997, he decided to quit active politics even though he remained a member of the New Patriotic Party.

Personal life He was married to Maud Adi-Darko, with whom he had four children. He was the father of Ken Ofori-Atta, the former Minister of Finance, a son he had away from his marriage. His hobbies were reading and writing.