Prof. Mike Oquaye

Minister for Communications

Prof Mike Oquaye was born on 4 th April 1944 . He is a Ghanaian Lawyer, Baptist Minister, Political Scientist, Diplomat and Government Minister. Educated in the University of Ghana , University of London , Lincolns Inn, London , he holds B.A. Hons (Political Science), LLB. Hons, B.L. and PhD Degrees.

Prof Oquaye's working life has been mainly a combination of private legal practice and lecturing in political science and has attained distinction in both spheres. A Barrister of the Supreme Court of England and Wales , he is also a senior member of the Ghana Bar and has worked as Solicitor for some leading companies and reputable financial institutions, consultancies etc. in Ghana .

As an academic, Prof Oquaye achieved the singular distinction of winning within four years, the coveted Rockefeller Senior Scholar Award (1993) and the Senior Fullbright Scholar Award (1997). Prof Oquaye has won several academic awards. He was a Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences Silver Award winner in recognition of his contribution to social sciences in Ghana by his well-researched PhD thesis, now lodged with the Academy.

Prof Oquaye, a prolific writer, has come out with a number of publications in academic journals in the United States , Canada , United Kingdom , Africa and India etc. His research and publication areas include, Military Rule in Africa , Conflict, Democratisation in Africa , Good Governance, Decentralisation and Development, Constitutionalism etc. He is a keen advocate of the rights of women, including affirmative action.

His previous political appointments include Ghana High Commissioner to India from 2001 to 2005. He was the Minister for Energy from January 2005 to April 2006.

He is the current Minister for Communications in Ghana and Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya.

Prof. Oquaye has a keen interest in ICT. He was highly instrumental in the establishment of the Kofi Annan Center for Excellence in ICT during his tenure as Ghana High Commissioner to India . His concern for the disabled has manifested in the establishment (between July-September 2006) of a computer system and Centre for the Ghana Society for the Blind. This step has brought IT application to the doorstep of the blind for the first time in Ghana .

He is married to Alberta .