Ghanaian George Eminsang was West Africa’s first lawyer driven out of Ghana for working with the British in the 1870s
George Emil Eminsang was a Ghanaian premier lawyer, who was appointed to the Dutch Legislative Council in Gold Coast now Ghana, to negotiate the sale of Dutch Gold Coast possessions to the British administration.
In 1872, George Emil Eminsang was appointed to the Dutch Legislative Council in Gold Coast, now Ghana, to negotiate the sale of Dutch Gold Coast possessions to the British administration.
As premier lawyer, Eminsang simultaneously worked as a merchant, running a successful business.
Eminsang was born in 1833 in Elmina, Ghana, one of the main hubs for slave trading and transporting in West Africa.
His mother was of mixed Dutch and Fanti ancestry and his father, Joseph Emil Eminsang, was an innkeeper and wholesaler, according to Trip Down Memory Lane.
READ ALSO: Ghanaian oil and gas mogul Kevin Okyere featured on the Steve Harvey show
The name Eminsang is the English version of the Fanti surname Eminsa. Eminsa is a Fanti river deity. In modern times, Eminsa is written as Amissah.
Source: UGC
Eminsang was reportedly a gifted student, which afforded him the opportunity to be educated by Dutch instructors.
He started out at the Elmina Castle School, before travelling to the Netherlands and Germany to further his education in law and philosophy.
He was able to speak five languages: English, Dutch, Portuguese, German and Fante.
After schooling, Eminsang returned to Ghana to teach at his alma mater for few years before venturing into merchant work.
His legal background enabled him to assist his fellow Ghanaians.
Source: UGC
In 1872, Eminsang was given a position in the Dutch Legislative Council.
It was at this point he was also appointed as the leading lawyer to negotiate the sale of the Dutch’s possessions to the British government.
Later on, the British employed him to serve as the Civil Commandant in Elmina.
READ ALSO: Young female teacher spends her school break time sewing torn uniforms of pupils
The Elminans, loyally aligned with the Ashantis and the Dutch, distrusted the sale of the castle and subsequently drove Eminsang out of Ghana.
Eminsang later returned to Cape Coast, Ghana and continued to practice law while working as a merchant.
From 1878-1879, he worked as the consular agent to the Dutch and in 1890 he was made consular agent to the Congo and the United States in Cape Coast.
Eminsang died in 1891 - the circumstances surrounding his death are still unknown.
READ ALSO: Black Panther star Lupita Nyongo's debut book urges girls to appreciate dark skin
Star Gist: I started acting because I was told I look like Suzy Williams - Kisa Gbekle| #Yencomgh
READ ALSO: Meet first black woman earn Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering
Have national and human interest issues to discuss?
Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition?
Your stories and photos are always welcome.Get interactive via our Facebook page.
Source: YEN.com.gh
