Tribute Flyer

Henry Akanko

(March 12, 1941 – March 16, 2013)

Mr. Henry Alawanalun Akanko was born in Wiaga-Farinsa to Madam Anaalie Anyawiese and Mr. Atengpeng Akanko Ayisobsa. He had his elementary education at Sandema Old Primary and Sandema Middle Boarding before continuing at Tamale Secondary School where he obtained his West Africa School Certificate in 1967. He also studied Agriculture at the Kwadaso Agriculture College and the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi where he obtained a Diploma in Tropical Horticulture. Further Higher Education took him to Mississippi State University, USA (1970), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria (1974), New Zealand (1974 and Sierra Leone (1980).

His active career as an agricultural officer saw him working in various parts of Ghana. Between 1991 and 2001 (retirement year) he was the Northern Sector Co-ordinator of the Ministry of Agriculture with its headquarters in Tamale.

Mr. Akanko was a passionate farmer throughout his life, growing grains, vegetables and raising poultry. He was always interested in finding the most effective ways of improving agricultural productivity and encouraged young people to see farming as a viable business and not just a subsistence activity.

He received a number of awards and honours among these, The Centenary Certificate of Honour from the Tamale Catholic Archdiocese (2006) and Farmer of the Year at the Tamale Metropolitan Farmers’ Day (2006).

Mr. Henry Akanko is survived by his wife of 42 years, Mrs Rose Akanko, four children and five grandchildren.