Kwabena Darko
Encyclopedia
Rev. Dr. Kwabena Darko is an entrepreneur
, minister of religion
and former politician
. He owns the largest privately owned agro-industrial concern in Ghana and is listed in “Who’s Who in World Poultry”. Darko is also known by many in the sub-region as the “Poultry King” and "Akokɔ Darko" (meaning "Poultry Darko" in Akan
).
, in the Ashanti Region
of Ghana
. He lost his father at an early age and had to engage in petty trading to supplement the family income. He ended up in part-time education in order to devote more time to trading because of the family financial circumstances. His mother later remarried the owner of a small chicken farm. Kwabena Darko quickly learnt the running of the farm and was an able assistant to his stepfather. He proceeded to Israel
, where he studied agriculture at the Ruppin Institute, specialising in poultry
science in the late 1950s and early sixties.
on the ticket of the National Independence Party
. He came 4th with 2.8 per cent of the total votes cast. The election was won by Jerry Rawlings
of the National Democratic Congress
, who reportedly said that "people should not buy chicken from Darko Farms, because if they did I would get money for politics".
(Elder) with the Assemblies of God
Church
. He went on to hold other positions in the church. He has been the International Vice-President of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship (FGBMFI), (Africa
), a prominent international Christian network, from 1990 to 1995. He became the General Overseer for the Oasis of Love International Church since 1996. he was ordained as a minister of religion
in 2000.
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
, minister of religion
Minister of religion
In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community...
and former politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He owns the largest privately owned agro-industrial concern in Ghana and is listed in “Who’s Who in World Poultry”. Darko is also known by many in the sub-region as the “Poultry King” and "Akokɔ Darko" (meaning "Poultry Darko" in Akan
Akan language
Akan, also known as Twi and Fante, is an Akan language that is the principal native language of Ghana, spoken over much of the southern half of that country, by about 52% of the population, and to a lesser extent across the border in eastern Côte d'Ivoire...
).
Early life
Kwabena Darko was born on October 23, 1942 at BekwaiBekwai
Bekwai is a town in Ghana. It is the capital of Amansie East District in the Ashanti Region.- References :...
, in the Ashanti Region
Ashanti Region
The Ashanti Region is the third largest of 10 administrative regions in Ghana, occupying a total land surface of 24389 square kilometers or 10.2 per cent of the total land area of Ghana. In terms of population, however, it is the most populated region with a population of 3,612,950 in 2000,...
of Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
. He lost his father at an early age and had to engage in petty trading to supplement the family income. He ended up in part-time education in order to devote more time to trading because of the family financial circumstances. His mother later remarried the owner of a small chicken farm. Kwabena Darko quickly learnt the running of the farm and was an able assistant to his stepfather. He proceeded to Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, where he studied agriculture at the Ruppin Institute, specialising in poultry
Poultry
Poultry are domesticated birds kept by humans for the purpose of producing eggs, meat, and/or feathers. These most typically are members of the superorder Galloanserae , especially the order Galliformes and the family Anatidae , commonly known as "waterfowl"...
science in the late 1950s and early sixties.
Career
On his return to Ghana, Kwabena Darko worked with the Ghana State Farms Corporation. After 6 months, he resigned and joined his stepfather, who was now into commercial poultry farming. The farm expanded from 5,000 birds to 100,000 birds for egg laying within two years. He started his own poultry farm, Darko Farms and Company in April 1967.Politics
Kwabena Darko who describes himself as Nkrumahist run for president in the 1992 electionGhanaian presidential election, 1992
Presidential elections were held in Ghana on 3 November 1992. The result was a victory for Jerry John Rawlings, who won 58.4% of the vote. Voter turnout was 50.2%.-Results:...
on the ticket of the National Independence Party
National Independence Party (Ghana)
The National Independence Party is a defunct political party in Ghana. It was formed in 1992 in the run up to the inauguration of the Fourth Republic of Ghana...
. He came 4th with 2.8 per cent of the total votes cast. The election was won by Jerry Rawlings
Jerry Rawlings
Jerry John Rawlings is a former leader of the Republic of Ghana and now the African Union envoy to Somalia. Rawlings ruled Ghana as a military dictator in 1979 and from 1981 to 1992 and then as the first elected president of the Fourth Republic from 1993 to 2001...
of the National Democratic Congress
National Democratic Congress (Ghana)
The National Democratic Congress is a social democratic political party in Ghana, founded by Jerry John Rawlings, who was Head of State of Ghana from 1981 to 1993 and the President of Ghana from 1993 to 2001. The NDC was formed ahead of elections in 1992 and 1996 returned Jerry John Rawlings to...
, who reportedly said that "people should not buy chicken from Darko Farms, because if they did I would get money for politics".
Christianity
Darko was reportedly a Christian from the age of about 16 years. Between 1965 and 1996, he was a deaconDeacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
(Elder) with the Assemblies of God
Assemblies of God
The Assemblies of God , officially the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, is a group of over 140 autonomous but loosely-associated national groupings of churches which together form the world's largest Pentecostal denomination...
Church
Church Body
A local church is a Christian religious organization that meets in a particular location. Many are formally organized, with constitutions and by-laws, maintain offices, are served by pastors or lay leaders, and, in nations where this is permissible, often seek seek non-profit corporate status...
. He went on to hold other positions in the church. He has been the International Vice-President of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship (FGBMFI), (Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
), a prominent international Christian network, from 1990 to 1995. He became the General Overseer for the Oasis of Love International Church since 1996. he was ordained as a minister of religion
Minister of religion
In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community...
in 2000.
Family
Kwabena Darko is married to Rev. Dr. Christiana Darko, a director of the Darko Farms and Company Limited as well as the International Outreach Director for West Africa of The Women’s Aglow Fellowship International. They have six children, Sam, Vernon, Jonathan, Maxine, Mercy and Bernice. The first three are actively involved in running the company.Positions currently held
- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Darko Farms and Company Limited - 1969 - present
- Chancellor, Regent University College of Science and TechnologyRegent University College of Science and TechnologyThe Regent University College Of Science and Technology is a private university in Accra in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. It was established in September 2003. It is one of the new universities in Ghana and was granted accreditation by the National Accreditation Board...
- 2003 - present - Member, Nominating Committee of the African Prize for Leadership 1994-Present
- International Secretary, FGBMFI, Costa Mesa, U.S.United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
1994-Present - General Overseer, The Oasis of Love International Church - 1996-Present
- Board Member, Oasis International Training Center - 2000-Present
- External Board Member, The Bank of GhanaBank of GhanaThe Bank of Ghana is the central bank of Ghana. It is located in Accra and was formed in 1957. Its name is abbreviated to BOG.-Brief Historical Background:...
- 2001-Present - Chairman, Sinapi Aba Trust - 1994-Present
Honours
- Grand Medal “Order of the Volta” National Award for his Contributions to Agriculture - 1978
- Honorary Certificate for Selfless Devotion to Charity by Christian Voluntary Society - 1978
- Award by Ghana Animal Science Association for Outstanding Contribution to the Association - 1982
- Best Farmer Award, Royal Agriculture Show, London - 1984
- Honorary Member, Ghana Science Association - 1985
- National Best Poultry Farmer - 1986
- Meritorious Award for Contribution to Charity by the Ghana National Trust Fund - 1990
- Certificate of Honor for Voluntary Service and Contribution to Charity by the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development - 1990
- The First General Superintendent Certificate of Honor Assemblies of GodAssemblies of GodThe Assemblies of God , officially the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, is a group of over 140 autonomous but loosely-associated national groupings of churches which together form the world's largest Pentecostal denomination...
Ghana - 1990 - Certificate of Honor for Outstanding Contribution to the Ghana Feed Millers Association - 1992
- Junior Achievement of Ghana Business Hall of Fame - 1992
- Ordained as a Minister of religionMinister of religionIn Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community...
- 2000 - Honorary Doctorate of Science Degree by KNUSTKwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyKwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology is a university located in Kumasi, Ghana.It is the second public university established in the country. The University has its roots in the plans of the Asantehene Agyeman Prempeh I to establish a university in Kumasi as part of his drive...
- 2002 - Honorary Doctorate of Divinity by Global Missions and Bible College, LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
- 2002
See also
- List of Ghanaian politicians
- National Independence PartyNational Independence Party (Ghana)The National Independence Party is a defunct political party in Ghana. It was formed in 1992 in the run up to the inauguration of the Fourth Republic of Ghana...