Benjamin Quartey-Papafio: Meet the first Ghanaian to earn medical degree in Africa
- Benjamin William Quarteyquaye Quartey-Papafio, was a Ghanaian politician and physician
- He made history as the first Ghanaian and African to earn a medical degree in the Gold Coast, present-day Ghana
- Quartey-Papafio was born on June 25, 1859
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Raised in a prominent family in Accra, Benjamin William Quarteyquaye Quartey-Papafio became a Ghanaian politician and physician, making history as the first Ghanaian and African to obtain a medical degree.
Benjamin William Quarteyquaye Quartey-Papafio, who was the first Ghanaian to attain a degree in the Gold Coast Colony, present-day Ghana, was born on June 25, 1859, to Chief Quartey-Papafio, a.k.a. ‘Old Papafio’ and Momo Omedru, a businesswoman from Gbese (Dutch Accra).
After he received his education at the CMS Grammar School and also Fourah Bay College in Freetown, Sierra Leone, he later travelled to Britain to study.
Quartey-Papafio earned a B.A. degree from Durham University and later enrolled at the Edinburg University in 1882 as a medical student, earning his M.B and M.ch. in 1886 and becoming a member of the Royal College of Surgeons.
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His achievement was not only limited to Ghana, but also Africa as he became the first African to receive a medical degree.
After chalking those feats in education, Quartey-Papafio returned to the Gold, where he became a medical officer for the Gold Coast Government Service from 1888 until 1905, and was also in private practice.
Benjamin William Quartey-Papafio became a member of the Accra Town Council from 1909 to 1912 as well as a member of the 1911 deputation to London which protested the Forest Bill.
The father of nine children and two wives was an unofficial member of the Legislative Council from 1919 to 1924.
Benjamin William Quartey-Papafio died at the age of 65 on September 14, 1924.
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YEN.com.gh earlier reported about Mercy Tagoe’s life, feats and journey of her career to becoming an influential personality in Ghana’s football arena.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
