Charles Odamtten Easmon
Encyclopedia
Charles Odamtten Easmon or C.O. Easmon, F.R.C.S. (1913–May 19, 1994) was a Ghanaian doctor of Sierra Leonean descent. Easmon was the first Ghanaian to qualify as a surgeon specialist and the first African dean of the University of Ghana Medical School.
and Christina Augustt, a descendant of the Richter family from Osu, Accra
. Victor Easmon died in Jos Plateau, Nigeria and Odamtten Easmon was raised by his mother though he still kept close ties with the Easmon family in Sierra Leone. Easmon's mother, Kate was from a Osu family and his uncle Solomon Odamtten was a political activist.
alongside future Ghanaian president Kwame Nkrumah
. While at school, Easmon was known for his drawings. A gifted athlete and a member of the Student Christian Movement while at Achimota School, following the completion of his secondary education, Easmon attended Edinburgh University. Easmon was the first Ghanaian member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
following the completion of his medical course. Upon his return to the Gold Coast, Easmon worked at Korle Bu and was eventually put in charge of Korle Bu Hospital in Accra
. In 1946, Easmon married Genevieve Dove, the daughter of Sierra Leonean lawyer, Francis 'Frans] Dove. In June 1959, Easmon left Ghana for the United States
for five months fellowship offered by the State Department in order to create understanding between Ghana and the United States.
appointed Easmon as the first Chief Medical Officer of Ghana.
Background
Charles 'Charlie' Odamtten Easmon was born in 1913 to Kate Odamtten and Victor Farrell Easmon. Victor Easmon was an accountant who was the son of John Farrell EasmonJohn Farrell Easmon
Dr. John Farrell Easmon, M.R.C.S. MD CMO, was a prominent Sierra Leonean Creole doctor in the British Gold Coast who served as Chief Medical Officer during the 1890's. Easmon was the only West African to be promoted to Chief Medical Officer and served in this role with distinction during the...
and Christina Augustt, a descendant of the Richter family from Osu, Accra
Accra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
. Victor Easmon died in Jos Plateau, Nigeria and Odamtten Easmon was raised by his mother though he still kept close ties with the Easmon family in Sierra Leone. Easmon's mother, Kate was from a Osu family and his uncle Solomon Odamtten was a political activist.
Education and early career
Odamtten Easmon attended the prestigious Achimota SchoolAchimota School
Achimota School , is an elite and highly selective co-educational secondary school located at Achimota in Accra, Ghana. It was established and commenced operations in 1924 and formally opened in 1927 by Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg -- then governor of the Gold Coast...
alongside future Ghanaian president Kwame Nkrumah
Kwame Nkrumah
Kwame Nkrumah was the leader of Ghana and its predecessor state, the Gold Coast, from 1952 to 1966. Overseeing the nation's independence from British colonial rule in 1957, Nkrumah was the first President of Ghana and the first Prime Minister of Ghana...
. While at school, Easmon was known for his drawings. A gifted athlete and a member of the Student Christian Movement while at Achimota School, following the completion of his secondary education, Easmon attended Edinburgh University. Easmon was the first Ghanaian member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh is an organisation dedicated to the pursuit of excellence and advancement in surgical practice, through its interest in education, training and examinations, its liaison with external medical bodies and representation of the modern surgical workforce...
following the completion of his medical course. Upon his return to the Gold Coast, Easmon worked at Korle Bu and was eventually put in charge of Korle Bu Hospital in Accra
Accra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
. In 1946, Easmon married Genevieve Dove, the daughter of Sierra Leonean lawyer, Francis 'Frans] Dove. In June 1959, Easmon left Ghana for the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for five months fellowship offered by the State Department in order to create understanding between Ghana and the United States.
Appointment Chief Medical Officer
In 1964, Kwame NkrumahKwame Nkrumah
Kwame Nkrumah was the leader of Ghana and its predecessor state, the Gold Coast, from 1952 to 1966. Overseeing the nation's independence from British colonial rule in 1957, Nkrumah was the first President of Ghana and the first Prime Minister of Ghana...
appointed Easmon as the first Chief Medical Officer of Ghana.