The de Graft-Johnson story is one of resilience
The history of Ghana’s fight for justice and independence is marked by bold leaders who stood against colonial rule.
Among these visionaries, the Aborigines’ Rights Protection Society (ARPS) is a celebrated institution, remembered for its defense of indigenous lands and rights.
However, as we honor its legacy, it is vital to rediscover the contributions of Joseph William de Graft-Johnson Sr., one of its co-founders and a man whose influence laid the foundation for a family legacy that continues to shape Ghana’s narrative today.
The de Graft-Johnson story is one of resilience, vision, and progress — a transition from resistance during colonial times to a renaissance of achievement and influence in modern Ghana.
The ARPS: A Fight for Land and Freedom
In 1897, the ARPS was formed to challenge the British Crown Lands Bill, which sought to expropriate indigenous lands and strip Ghanaians of their heritage. Joseph William de Graft-Johnson Sr. was among the trailblazers who led this charge, joining forces with John Mensah Sarbah, J.E. Casely Hayford, and Jacob Wilson Sey to secure a landmark victory against the colonial government. de Graft-Johnson’s contributions to the ARPS went beyond rhetoric; he devoted his resources and influence to defending the rights of the Gold Coast people. For him, the fight against the land bill symbolized a broader struggle for dignity and self-determination — a fight that would define his life’s work.
Championing Education as the Key to Progress
Joseph William de Graft-Johnson Sr. understood that education was the future of the Gold Coast. His actions to save Mfantsipim School in 1889, when it faced closure due to financial struggles, were pivotal.
By rallying support and contributing his own funds, he ensured the school could continue shaping the minds of future leaders. Later, in 1910, he extended his efforts by supporting the establishment of St. Nicholas Grammar School (now Adisadel College).
His son, Joseph William de Graft-Johnson II, was a foundation student at the school and became its first Senior Prefect, embodying his father’s belief in education as the bedrock of progress.
Today, this commitment to learning is reflected in the remarkable achievements of the de Graft-Johnson family, whose members have become leaders in academia, politics, engineering, law, and national development.
Resistance Beyond the Courtroom
de Graft-Johnson’s activism was not confined to formal organizations. He was unafraid to challenge the colonial administration directly, earning a reputation for his courage and defiance.
•Cape Coast Port Strike: He led workers to protest forced labor on Sundays, arguing that religious freedoms must be respected.
•Confrontation with British Officers: In a legendary incident, he stood up to a British officer aboard a ship, physically defending himself and later successfully arguing his case in court.
These actions endeared him to his community, making him a symbol of resilience and defiance against oppression.
A Family Legacy of Renaissance
Joseph William de Graft-Johnson’s legacy extended through his descendants, who built upon his foundations to shape Ghana’s modern identity.
John Coleman de Graft-Johnson (1888-1956)
•The first African to become assistant secretary for Native Affairs
•Publications, “The Significance of Some Akan Titles” and “The Fante Asafu” became authorities on the subject matter.
•Member of the Accra Town Council (1928-1930) and secretary of the African Language Board (1932-1937).
•Awarded the Certificate of Honor (1927), the King’s Jubilee Medal (1935), and Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) (1937).
Dr. Joseph William “Joe Lawyer” de Graft-Johnson II (1893-1971)
•Founding member and the first General Secretary of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) in 1947.
•Legal adviser to ex-servicemen and trade unions.
•First President of the Historical Society of Ghana.
•Established a private music and arts school for talented youth.
Hector W.M. de Graft-Johnson (1902-1988)
•Prominent businessman and transportation entrepreneur.
•Managed Ghana National Trading Corporation (GNTC) before establishing a successful private transport company.
John George Kuntu Blankson de Graft-Johnson (1912-1988)
•First Ghanaian General Manager of the Railways and Harbours Authority (1960).
•Led railway expansion projects, including the famous “Blue Trains”.
Dr. Coleman “Jocky” de Graft-Johnson (1919-1977)
•Economist and former ambassador to the Benelux countries (1967-1970).
•Editor of the Economic Bulletin of Ghana.
•Published African Glory: The Story of Vanished Negro Civilizations (1954).
Dr. Edward Vincent Collins de Graft-Johnson (1924-2013)
•Constitutional law practitioner.
•Established the transportation haulage company Pan African Shipping (renamed VEC Company Limited).
•Owned farms – cocoa in the east, rubber in the west, and palm-oil in the west and Volta.
•Member of the 1969 Constituent Assembly and the 1979 Constituent Assembly.
• Founding member of the Social Democratic Front which participated in the 1979 General Elections.
Prof. Kwaw Esiboa “Nana” de Graft-Johnson (1927-2022)
•Helped to establish the Population Dynamics Program and the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) at Legon.
•Served as head of the Sociology Department at Legon from 1965-1968 and 1971-1977.
•One of the first TV talk show hosts, serving as serving as the pioneer host of “Talking Point” on GBC between 1967-1969.
•Appointed director of the Center for African Family Studies (CAF), Nairobi, Kenya in 1979, retiring in 1991.
Dr. J.W.S. de Graft-Johnson (1933-1999)
•The first director of CSIR’s Building and Road Research Institute (BRRI) where he transformed the organization into a prominent voice in suing the nation’s abundant natural resources to address developmental needs.
•Member of the 1979 Constituent Assembly.
•Ghana’s First Vice President during the Third Republic under President Hilla Limann.
From Resistance to Renaissance
As we honor the life of Joseph William de Graft-Johnson Sr. on the anniversary of his passing, we are reminded of the power of resilience, vision, and generational progress. His contributions to the ARPS and education laid the groundwork for the de Graft-Johnson family’s remarkable achievements ,a legacy that continues to influence Ghana today.
The de Graft-Johnson story is not just history , it is an inspiration for what can be achieved when determination meets purpose. From their fight for justice during the colonial era to their leadership in building modern Ghana, the family embodies the spirit of progress and transformation.
We ought not exclude his maternal grandfather, Joe de Graft (1756-1843), the Cape Coast Castle linguist and merchant, instrumental in treaty negotiations between the British and local chiefs. A man who played a key role in early anti-colonial resistance movements.
His maternal uncle, William de Graft (c. 1810-1871) whose quest for Bibles from Captain Potter of a Bristol vessel led to the arrival of Rev. Dunell, the first Methodist missionary to the shores of the Gold Coast. Joseph William de Graft-Johnson Sr. and his antecedents and descendants remind us that legacies are not just inherited — they are built, nurtured, and carried forward.
Their story challenges us all to strive for a future that honors our past while shaping a brighter tomorrow.
The de Graft-Johnson legacy is one of resistance, resilience, and renaissance a powerful testament to what one family’s commitment to justice, education, and service can achieve. Their contributions continue to shape Ghana’s history and inspire future generations to build upon their enduring legacy.
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