UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY

A BIOGRPHY OF MR. ANDREW OFOE AMEGACHER

BY

EMMA TERKO NYATEFE ADZO ALIMO

(10814112)

A LONG ESSAY SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AT

THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON IN PARTIAL FUFILLMENT OF

THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF BACHELOR OF ARTS

DEGREE.

SEPTEMBER, 2023

1
1
 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that, expect for references to other people’s work, which have been duly

acknowledged; this long essay is the result of my own research work carried out in the Department

of History, University of Ghana, Legon.

Alimo Emma Terko Nyatefe Adzo ------------------ --------------------

(Student) Signature Date

Dr. (Mrs.) Cyrelene Amoah-Boampong -------------------- ----------------------

(Supervisor) Signature Date

DEDICATION

i
To my Aunty, Patience Afi Dorvlo, to my grandmoms, Akosua Freema Annor-Kyie and Faith

Adzo Dzormeku, and my siblings, Faith and Emmanuel.

ii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I give thanks to the All-might God who has always supported me on my journey. I would

especially want to thank my supervisor, Dr. Cyrelene Amoah-Boampong, for her encouragement,

helpful guidance, and patience during the entire process. I want to thank Dr. K. Adum kyereme the

head of our department, and all of the lecturers for their generosity with their knowledge and time.

I owe my Aunty, mother, father, a debt of appreciation for their guidance, instruction, and support.

Finally, I would want to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Andrew Ofoe Amegatcher for his

time, focus, and tremendous assistance with my research.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

iii
DECLARATION..........................................................................................................................................i
DEDICATION.............................................................................................................................................ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.........................................................................................................................iii
CHAPTER ONE .........................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................1
Background to the Study and Thesis Statement ..................................................................................1
Research Objectives................................................................................................................................3
Research Questions.................................................................................................................................3
Research Methodology ...........................................................................................................................4
Significance of the Study ........................................................................................................................4
Organisation of the Study ......................................................................................................................4
CHAPTER TWO........................................................................................................................................5
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION............................................................................................................5
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................5
The Early Life of Andrew Ofoe Amegatcher .......................................................................................5
The Educational Background of Andrew Ofoe Amegacher................................................................7
CHAPTER THREE....................................................................................................................................9
MORE WORK IS THE REWARD FOR HARD WORK.......................................................................9
Introduc on ..............................................................................................................................................9
Time At Mali as a Diplomat.................................................................................................................10
Return to Ghana- 1963.........................................................................................................................12
CHAPTER FOUR ....................................................................................................................................15
MR. AMEGACHER AS AN AUTHOR..................................................................................................15
Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................15
Books Authored by Barrister Amegacher ..........................................................................................15
BIBLIOGRAPHY.....................................................................................................................................23

iv
 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study and Thesis Statement

Biographical research remains an important subject in historical studies. It provides the

opportunity for the documentation of an individual’s works, life, and contribution to society. In this

way, we can assess how such a person or group of people influenced society and history.

According to Hannah Antwi, it is important for historians to write the biographies of those who

came before us. This is because biographies are important for helping us remember previous

events, because they shed light on historical figures and contemporary figures that we can all

aspire to be like. As mentioned by Alice Kessler-Harris, the study of an individual’s life

experiences helps us to see not only into particular events but into larger socio-cultural, economic

and political process of a moment in time.1

At the Department of History, University of Ghana the significance of biographical research is

seen in the works of David Asomani, Theophilus Ashong, Hannah Antwi and others.2 These

studies in a thematic order discussed how some Ghanaian served the country in diverse ways and

ultimately becoming agents of change in the respective areas of expertise. For instance, David

Asomani has shown that Emeritus Professor Emmanuel Quaye Archeampong was an agent of

1 Alice Kessler-Harris, “Why Biography?,” The American Historical Review 114, no. 3 (2009): 626.
2 David Asomani, “Biography of Emeritus Professor Emmanuel Quaye Archampong (1932-2021) As” (Unpublished
BA History Thesis, Legon, Department of History, University of Ghana, 2022); Theophilus Ashong, “An Academic in
Politics: A Study of Emeritus Professor Albert Adu Boahen, 1932-2006” (Unpublished MPhil History Thesis, Legon,
Department of History, University of Ghana, 2019); Hannah Antwi, “Biography of Prof. Mrs. Akosua Adoma Perbi”
(Unpublished BA History Thesis, Legon, Department of History, University of Ghana, 2020).

1
change in the causation for many of the events that developed the medical school within the larger

context of medical training in Ghana when he was actively involved in the activities of the

University of Ghana Medical School.3 Also, Ashong who wrote on Professor Adu Boahen

described him as a man of many parts who contributed to shaping Ghana and African

historiography and consolidation democracy in Ghana.4 Again, Antwi argues that the works of

Professor Akosua Adoma Perbi on Slavery made her an exception historian, whiles her

philanthropic activities showed her love for humanity and respect for traditional African values of

motherhood.5

As society endures, history has a lot to tell. Biographical research will continue as the deeds of men

and women who lived exceptional life needs to be documented. This research work is another

contribution to biographical research at the Department of History and Ghana in general. This

biographical study focuses on Andrew Ofoe Amegatcher, a man who served as barrister at Law for

twenty-seventy, a bureaucrat-cum-diplomat and as an author from the early 1960s till date.

Amegatcher’s academic and career path transcends important phases of the political history of

Ghana. In his youthful age, Amegatcher was appointed a Press Attaché at the Office of the Ghana

Resident Minister – as the Embassy was called during the pendency of the Ghana-Guinea-Mali

Union. He later served as First Secretary, Ghana Embassy in Paris under Mr. Patrick Seddoh. Upon

his return home, he served in several positions at the Information Services Department (ISD) and

Foreign Service including Acting Director at ISD and as Director, Information Division at the then

Ministry of Foreign Affairs.6

3 Asomani, “Biography of Emeritus Professor Emmanuel Quaye Archampong,” vii–3.

4 Ashong,“A Study of Emeritus Professor Albert Adu Boahen, 1932-2006,” vi.
5 Antwi,“Biography of Prof. Mrs. Akosua Adoma Perbi,” 6–7.
6 Andrew O. Amegatcher, “80th Birthday Service of Andrew Ofoe Amegacher” (at the Accra Ridge Church,

December 3, 2018), 1.

2
Amegatcher’s active involvement in the administration of various governments in Ghana, working

both at home and abroad, writing and publishing on subjects that concerned with copyright in

Ghana, law of the press, the 1948 Riots and others make him an exceptional individual whose life

is worth studying.7 The research takes a similar methodological approach used by the authors

mentioned above in writing the biography of Andrew O. Amegatcher. In other words,

Amegatcher’s areas of activities is historical examined in a thematic order: bureaucrat-cum-

diplomat, Lawyer and author, all of which are linked to his early childhood and academic

experience.

Research Objectives

1. To account for the early life and academic history of lawyer Amegatcher

2. To account for his career as a diplomat, lawyer and public servant.

3. To examine Amegatcher’s publications and contribution to scholarship in Ghana

Research Questions

1. Who is Mr. Amegacher?

2. In what ways has lawyer Amegatcher’s career impacted on diplomatic relations.

3. To what extent has lawyer Amegatcher’s contributed to scholarship in Ghana?

7Andrew O. Amegatcher, Ghanian Law of Copyright, Second edition (United Kingdom: Omega Law Publishers,
2014); Andrew O. Amegatcher, The Law of the Press: A Ghanaian Perspective (Accra, Ghana: Omega (Law) Pub,
1998); Andrew O. Amegatcher, 1948 Riots: A Prelude to Ghana’s Independence (Place of publication not identified:
publisher not identified, 2022).

3
Research Methodology

This biographical study adopts the quantitative research method. It’s made up of both primary and

secondary sources such as interviews, personal diary and documents of Mr. Amegatcher,

photographs, books, journal articles and unpublished thesis.

Significance of the Study

This study contributes to the historiography biographical research in Ghana by examining the life

experiences of Mr. Andrew Ofoe Amegacher within the larger social, legal and political history of

Ghana. By discussing his life journey through his engagements as a diplomat and bureaucrat,

lawyer and author, the study highlights ways and moments through which Amegatcher has

contributed to the development of Ghana since the 1960s.

Organisation of the Study

This research work has four chapters in all. In Chapter One, the background of the study and thesis

statement, the research objectives, the research questions, and the research method are discussed. Chapter

two discusses the early life and educational history of Andrew O. Amegatcher. Chapter three examines the

career and life experiences of Amegatcher under the three major themes of the study: bureaucrat-cum-

diplomat, LaThe student ends in Chapter Four which is the concluding chapter. In this chapter, the

general findings of the study are recounted.

CHAPTER TWO

4
 EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

Introduction

This chapter accounts for the early life and education history of Mr. Amegatcher. It discusses his

birthplace, parents, and hometown. It also discusses his educational history both in Ghana and

abroad.

The Early Life of Andrew Ofoe Amegatcher

In this chapter, Mr. Andrew Ofoe Amegatcher's early life, significant experiences, and educational

background are briefly discussed. His background influenced his style of life and the decisions he

made in life.

Mr. Andrew Ofoe Amegatcher was born on 12th March, 1938 at the Korle- Bu teaching hospital in

Accra a year before the First World War. His parents were the Mr. Edmund Kpobi Amegatcher

(1903-1983) of Ada and Mrs. Augustine Anima Amegatcher, nee Addo, (1916-2007). following

his birth, his mother traveled to Akropong to remain with her mother, who served as his

grandmother. after three months in Akropong, he was brought to his father, who was employed at

the post office in Nsawam. He stayed in Tafo in the Eastern region after moving from Nsawam

where his father was transferred to work at the post office. His Parents relocated to Swedru with

him where he developed a wider viewpoint of the world. He got to know about the world war I in

Swedru where the information service showed Cinema Vans. Showing war films to boost the

morale of the people.8

8 Personalinterview with
Andrew O.Amegatcher,“Earl
yLifeand Education ofAndrew Amegacher,”In-
person at Dansoman,June14,2023.

5
Mr. Amegatcher was the first born of his parents and named Ofoe according to the Ada culture, His

father Mr. Edmund Kpobi Amegatcher, was a civil servant who worked with the colonial postal

service due to that he traveled around the country, furthermore, his mother as a teacher.9

The spouse of Mr. Amegacher, Mrs Shormeh Amegatcher who was a retired teacher and former

House Mistress at Achimota School, got married to Mr. Amegatcher in the American Church in

Paris a nice springtime weather in 1976. Mrs Amegatcher was the granddaughter of both Rev.

Theophilus Opoku, the famed Presbyterian minister and William Martin Addo and the daughter of

the late Mr. Modjbeng Dowuona of Achimota and Legon. She schooled at Achimota Secondary

School, graduated from the University of Ghana with a degree in French and returned to work as a

French teacher at Achimota Secondary school. One of her students was the former head of the

history department, Prof. Akosua Perbi. Mrs. Amegatcher later worked at the Ghana commercial

Bank in1975 and furthered her studies in French, Abroad. They have four children. The first born

Cathrine Enima Amegacher, along with Theophilus Nene Amegacher, Andrew Obobisa

Amegacher, Joseph Emmanuel Amegacher, and five grandchildren.10

His life was greatly influenced by both of his parents. His mother, Augustine Anima Amegatcher, a

teacher, constantly encouraged him to be positive, put his all in everything he does, and do it well

but to never forget to put God first. His mother, who was a teacher, often set up extra lessons for

him whenever he got home from school and gave him more homework to complete to advance

academically. This was Amegacher's upbringings, which helped to develop and shape his

personality.

9 Personalinterview with Andrew O.Amegatcher.

10 Personalinterview with Mrs.Shormeh Amegatcher,In-
personat Dansoman,June14,2023;Personal
interview with Andrew O.Amegatcher,Earl
yLifeand Education ofAndrew Amegacher.

6
The Educational Background of Andrew Ofoe Amegacher

Mr. Amegatcher grew up in Ada and attended Presbyterian primary school in Akuse. He continued

his middle school now JHS in a Presbyterian school at Ada. He was admitted to PRESEC in

Adumase Krobo which was moved to Legon. At PRESEC, he became a dormitory Prefect and was

also known for his debates. In 1959, there was an essay competition in Ghana which he

participated in. Though he didn’t come out a winner, he was among the best and was applauded on

the schools speech and prize day.11 He was helped by his mother on vacations, studying ahead of

his class which made him academically good.

He continued at the Ghana school of Journalism and the Centre Internationale de L’ Enseignement

Superieur du Journalisme now Centre Universitaire d’ Enseignement du Journalisme at

Strasbourg, France, in 1962. He had internship in the AFP, RTF, now RFI and Aujourd’hui La

Croix de l’ Est at Nancy, Eastern France.12 When he came back from France, after his training, he

worked at the Information Service as Pres Attache. Working at the information Service, he wanted

to further his education in French, which he requested for a scholarship. He was denied but letter

given the Scholarship to study French in the University of Ghana. Mr. Amegacher in 1969 entered

the University of Ghana and had a B.A. degree in French. He resided at the Mensah Sarbah Hall,

having his own car. He was the part of the representative of the OAU student on campus and the

representative of the resident board, a committee of Hall masters. He continued with his debate in

the University where he was trained to take part in a debate between Ghana and Badan which could

not come on. A moment he would not forget in the University was when he was pounced on at the

Sarbah dinning Hall by colleagues thinking he was for Nkrumah.13

11 Personalinterview with Andrew O.Amegatcher,Earl

yLifeand Education ofAndrew Amegacher.
12 Andrew O.Amegatcher,“
80thBirthdayServiceofAndrew OfoeAmegacher,”December 3,2018.
13 Personalinterview with Andrew O.Amegatcher,Earl
yLifeand Education ofAndrew Amegacher.

7
 Mr. Amegacher had the opportunity to travel to many countries including France, Addis

Ababa, Mali, Congo, London, Germany, Malawi and Uganda for second degree and attend

conferences. He studied in the Universities of Strasbourg and Paris to study Modern and

Contemporary history after earning his B.A. in French in 1969. He received a Lincece es lettred

B.A. from Paris I's Pantheon Sorbonne University in 1973. He read law because he had an interest

in public issues and wanted to improve the value of his services. While working and a father in

1981, he studied law at the University of Ghana in Legon. He was referred in some of his courses

which discouraged him, but his wife gave him courage. His former colleague, Prof. John Evans

Atta Mills, who graduated from Legon in 1917 and studied law while he studied French, later

served as his lecturer and taught him taxation at law school. He specialized in media law and

copyright. They were eight mature students who enrolled at the law school in 1981, but only three

of them, including him, graduated as lawyers. He earned his law degree in 1984. After spending a

year in school in Toulouse, France's University of Social Sciences studying civil law, namely tort

and contract law, in 1985. He also included international public and private law. In July 1985,

Apaloo C.J registered him to practice in chambers.14

CHAPTER THREE

MORE WORK IS THE REWARD FOR HARD WORK

14 Amegatcher,“
80thBirthdayServiceofAndrew OfoeAmegacher,”December 3,2018,2;Personal
interview with Andrew O.Amegatcher,Earl
yLifeand Education ofAndrew Amegacher.

8
Introduction
This chapter describes Mr. Amegatcher's time spent working at the information service,

working as a diplomat in Mali and traveling back to Ghana. In Ghana he served at several

institutions including the Attorney-General’s Department, Ghana Copyright Office and the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This chapter provides an account of lawyer Amegacher journey

throughout these professional portfolios.

Information Services Years

As a trainee at the information Services, Mr. Amegatcher began his professional career in 1960.

When the Ghana Guinea Mali Union was still in effect, the Embassy was known as the Office of

the Ghana Resident Minister, and he was promptly assigned Press Attache there. The Information

Services Department nominated nine officials, including Mrs. Odoi Sykes, Hisham Omayyad,

Ambassador Victor E. Wood, and Gordon Dove, with him being the youngest. Arkhurst and Mr.

Moses Debrah, who advanced to become top diplomats in Ghana after leaving the ISD, served as

inspirations for him.15

Time At Mali as a Diplomat

As the Press Attache of a mission that would be created in Bamako with a resident Minister as the

head, Mr. Amegacher arrived in the city on March 2, 1961. Due to Guinea's decision to reject the

French community and declare independence, the French Union was about to fall apart. Mali and

Senegal, which were formerly known as the French Sudan, intended to follow next. Despite all

obstacles, these two territories joined together to form a federation. Mali's federalism was doomed

15 Amegatcher,“
80thBirthdayServiceofAndrew OfoeAmegacher,”December 3,2018,2;Personal
interview with Andrew O.Amegatcher,Information ServiceYears,In-person at Dansoman,July24,2023.

9
to failure. Senegal's decision to remove Modibo Keita, who was in the position of temporary Head

of state and had relocated there, and send him back to his native French Sudan in August 1960,

caused the Federation to collapse. On September 22, 1960, the leaders of the French Sudan met in

bitterness and declared their independence as a separate state. The late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah

visited the country in November 1960. After then, it was revealed that Mali had become the third

member of the Ghana Guinea Union. At this time, it was essential to set up a mission in Bamako

under the leadership of a resident Minister.16

Mr. Amegatcher was serving as the mission's press attaché on March 2, 1961, in Bamako. Except

for Mr. Akpabli, who had a basic command of the French language, the expedition lacked an

official translator. It was determined that Mr. Amegacher knew the language well enough to

perform the tasks of an interpreter in addition to his other responsibilities. At the height of the

Congo crisis in 1960, Mr. Yankson, a former employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. C.K.

Dufu, a member of that Ministry's information service, and Mr. Amegacher were requested to

work with Mr. Frank Parker to develop the French edition of the publication Parker published for

Congo. French at GBC was overseen by Mrs. Acquah and English Lady Teacher in La Bone. They

were housed at the Congo Coordinating Committee headquarters, where Geoffrey Bing had a

significant impact. 17

An interesting moment occurred in Congo in January 1961 when Mr. Amegatcher was invited to

the State House's kitchen to interpret for the cook and explain how to prepare a fish dish for

Moulay Hassan, who eventually became King Hassan of Morocco

16 Amdrew Of
oeAmegatcher,“Modibo Keita,”1964,2.
17 Amegatcher,2.

10
Before that, Mr. Amegacher assisted Mr. Imoru Egala, the former Minister of State for the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when a delegation from Mauritania arrived to lobby Ghana for

recognition because Morocco was claiming Mauritania and preventing its admission to the United

Nations

For Mr. Amegatcher, March 20th held special significance. The late Mr. Salifu Yakubu MP, his

chief of mission, handed the new head of State his letters of credence on that day. The speech had

been chosen on the eve of the actual day by Mr. Sandy Mante, his chief of mission, and his official

secretary. He was asked to interpret , which he reluctantly did. He and the Ambassador practiced

the speech once it had been translated. Each time he stopped at the conclusion of a paragraph, it

was decided that He would then interpret the speech. Once he had finished the speech he had

written and practiced, he believed his job was done. He was about to step away, when he was asked

to sit next to the Resident Minister and the President so he could interpret their talk. He described

it as a baptism of fire.18

The Ghana Resident Minister was permitted to attend cabinet sessions since Ghana had formed

union with Mali and Guinea. As a result, cabinet documents were forwarded to the Embassy,

where Mr. Amegatcher had to brief the resident Minister on the content. He also accompanied the

Resident Minister to meetings.

18 Amegatcher,3.

11
In Mali as a diplomat, they aided Mali economically by sending fuel of tankers.19The attendance at

the Mali cabinet made Mr. Amegatcher under the concept of democratic centralism with its

philosophy whereby the party, the one party, was paramount. This indicated that the party US

RDA, whose secretary general was the President who made all decisions with the Politburo, was

responsible for making all significant decisions. It was also in Mali that he had the opportunity to

see the working of Ghana Guinea Mali Union. One of the initial moves towards African Unity. In

Mali as a diplomat, they aided Mali economically by sending the fuel of tankers.20

Return to Ghana- 1963

In 1963, Mr. Amegatcher left for Mali and came back to Ghana. Upon his return, he received a job

offer from Accra's Information Services Department. Under Mr. Patrick Seddoh, he served as First

Secretary in information at the Ghana Embassy in Paris, as Director, information Division at the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and as Acting Director of the information Services Department,

among other important roles in the information services department and the foreign service. He

served as Acting Copyright Administrator from 1989 to 1991. He worked on a part-time basis

between 1985 and 1991 with Nii Ossah Mills and others to expand his skills in legal proceedings

and solicitor's work.21

19 Personalinterview with Andrew Of

oeAmegatcher,Timein Mal i asadepl
omat,In-person at Dansoman,
Jul y14,2023.
20 Amegatcher,“
Modibo Keita,”2;Personalinterview withAndrew OfoeAmegatcher,Timein Mal i asa
depl omat.
21 Amegatcher,“
80thBirthdayServiceofAndrew OfoeAmegacher,”December 3,2018,1.

12
In 1995 he went on an approved transfer to the Legal Service, first at the Registrar General’s

Department, then at the International Legal Division and finally at the Civil Division of the

Attorney General’s Department. He was Counsel for the Oversight Committee of the Copyright

Society COSGA and member of the Legal Committee of the International Confederation of

Societies of Authors (CISAC). In 2002, he was, a speaker, representing Africa at CISAC World

Congress of the Society.

In 1998 he worked briefly at the copyright Law Division of the World intellectual Property

Organization (WIPO), Geneva and participated as a resource person at WIPO copyright seminar in

Malawi and Uganda representing CISAC. He retired in 2003.

After serving for a year as the Legal Secretary of the Ghana India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence

he became a consultant and Counsel of the Disciplinary Committee of the General Council 2005 to

2014. In 2003 he was a resource person at a seminar at the University of Buea on the Applicability

the OHADA Treaty in Cameroon. The introduction of the Ohada system was being planned for

Ghana. His contributions made it possible for Ghana to immediately adopt seven uniform laws that

are in effect in the francophone nations. The existing business and commercial laws of Ghana may

have been substituted with these laws, particularly in the areas of insolvency, arbitration,

employment law, accounting law, sales of products, and transportation.22

Mr. Amegatcher has served in variety of committees, including that of Chairman of the Legal

Administration Committee of the Ghana National Commission on UNESCO from 2001 to 2008.

In addition, he served on the UNESCO General Conferences' Legal Committee from 2001 to 2007

and served as its vice chairman in 2005.23

22 Amegatcher,3.
23 Amegatcher,3.

13
Under the leadership of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, a group was established in 1963 to plan and conduct

a trade fair in Ghana, which Mr. Amegacher was a member of. He was chosen by the information

service to serve as a publicity officer to help popularize the idea of the trade, which he successfully

archived. Mr. R.H.C Harmon minister of trade who organized trade fair in Nigeria was invited to

help assist in organizing it in Ghana.24

On May 25th of the same year, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the OAU was established. He travelled to

Addis Ababa as a member of the African Union's founding mission to establish the OAU, and the

director of information service applauded him for it. Nkrumah planned to conduct the next

meeting in Ghana after the second meeting, which took place in Cairo in 1965. Due to its financial

situation, Ghana was unable to host both a trade show and the OAU. OAU was held after the

dissolution of Trade Fare. After then, Mr. Amegatcher was moved from the trade fare to aid his

department with the organisation of the OAU Conference. He was in charge of all the publications

created for the Conference.25

CHAPTER FOUR

MR. AMEGACHER AS AN AUTHOR

24 Personalinterview with Andrew O.Amegatcher,Information ServiceYears.

25 Personalinterview with Andrew O.Amegatcher.

14
Introduction
Besides being a lawyer, a diplomat, a republic servant, Mr. Andrew Amegacher was also prolific

author. He authored several books and articles that borders on the Law of the Press and Copyright

This chapter examines Amegatcher’s publications and contribution to scholarship.

Books Authored by Barrister Amegacher

The book, Ghanaian Law of Copyright is Amagatcher’s first publication in 1988

Mr. Amegatcher offers a thorough evaluation of Ghana's legal system's protection of intellectual

property rights. The history and guiding principles of copyright, including author rights, are

covered in Part I of the book. Copyright administration is covered in Part II. The Berne Convention

(1886), the Geneva Convention (1971), the Brussels Convention (1974), as well as additional

sources from Britain and the United States, are used by him. By promoting legislation for cable

and computer programmers, he goes beyond PNDCL 110.

The scope of protection, ownership and transfer of rights, infringement and how it is addressed, as

well as exceptions and copyright limits, are covered in this book. He points out that Ghana's

copyright laws have been significantly strengthened by the Copyright Act of 2005.26 The act

creates precise registration and enforcement processes and offers strong protection for copyright

owners. Ghana has ratified a number of international agreements pertaining to copyright, including

the Berne Convention and the World Intellectual Property Organisation WIPO Copyright Treaty

26 Andrew O.Amegatcher,Ghanian Law of Copyright,Second edition (United Kingdom:OmegaLaw

Publ
ishers,2014),30–31.

15
Geneva is home to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a global institution. It

oversees managing numerous unions based on multilateral and administrative elements of

intellectual property as well as the administration of various unions for the protection of

intellectual property around the world through cooperation between governments. There were 147

members in April 1994, including Ghana. He talks about the Folklore Board's efforts to preserve

folklore in response to the growing occurrences of foreigners pirating elements of Ghanaian

national culture.27

Due to widespread ignorance of copyright law's requirements and rights, conflicts and

infringement occur in Ghana. He points out that the agencies in charge of upholding copyright

rules, such the Copyright Office and the police, have inadequate resources and unable to efficiently

investigate and prosecute cases. To handle new problems in the digital era such online piracy and

the usage of protected content on social media platforms, more comprehensive regulation is

required.

His approach to the Ghanaian Law of Copyright, which has acquired popularity all over globe, has

received commendation from many individuals. The Ghanaian Copyright Law has historically

caught the interest of numerous scholars.. According to Dr. Arpad Bogsch, Director-General of the

World Intellectual Property Organisation ( WIPO) 1973-1998, He congratulates Mr. Amegatcher

on his wonderful job, which undoubtedly will improve understanding of copyright in both his

nation and English-speaking Africa.

Amegatcher’s work has gained international recognition and has had the following reviews to his

credit. Henry Olsson, Special Government Adviser of the Swedish Ministry of Justice had this to

27 Amegatcher,38–40.

16
say:

“I must say that I read the book, especially with great pleasure, in particular because it

contains such interesting and lively survey not only of the but also of the practice.

Especially interesting were the parts on Folklore, on the use of material from newspapers.

Also it is of particular value that the book contains a chapter on publishing contracts and

more generally, the contents of part three of the book is most informative and interesting”28

Similarly, the Late J.P. Sinnott, of Counsel, Langdale Vallotton, LLP Valdosta Ga and previously

of Morgan and Finnegan, New work has said:

“… well-written, most informative and a fascinating study of copyright law development

within British Common Kaw legal systems”29

Mr. Amegatcher’s contributions to Ghana's copyright legislation aim to encourage innovation and

creativity by giving creators legal protection and financial incentives to create and share what they

produce. By making sure that copyright protection does not unnecessarily restrict access to

information and knowledge, it also aims at finding a balance between the interests of artists, users,

and society.

Amegatcher’s second book, The Law of the Press: A Ghanaian perspective was published in

1998. Before publishing this book, Amegatcher received an invitation from the Private Newspaper

Publishers Association, or PRINPAG, to participate in a session on press law on March 12, 1993.

28 Amegatcher,pt.Backcover.
29 Amegatcher,pt.Backcover.

17
He wrote a paper for the occasion, which he has now been expanded into the Law of the Press30

In this book, Amegacher examines some aspects of the press, which aimed at journalists and lay

public. The book is organized into 14 chapters under two parts. Part one contains about 12 chapters

that discusses themes including Legal, historical and Regulatory Framework, Ghana Legal

System, Defamation, Sedition, Criminal Libel, Rumors and False Reports, Contempt of Court,

journalistic Sources, The Law of Confidence, State Secrets, Obscene Publications and Invasion of

Privacy and Copyright. Part two follows with the remaining two Chapters that includes

Background to Provisions on the Media in the 1979 and 1992 Constitutions and Constitution of

Frequency Regulation. Amegacher provides several summarised cases as a practical example of

the different themes he talks about throughout the book.

He covers the two provisions of Ghana's Criminal Code that deal with rumors and false claims

during this procedure. It emphasizes the seriousness of disseminating false information that can

damage Ghana's reputation or its government, which is regarded as a second-degree criminal.

Additionally, it states that any comment, rumor, or report that could cause fear and alarm to the

public should not be published or reproduced. Knowing or having grounds for conviction that it is

false, is viewed as a violation of the law. He establishes similarities between the two offences and

thinks that when the government introduced the false Report Bill in 1959, it may have overlooked

the earlier criminal code.

He offers a clear review of the laws controlling the media sector. A fundamental strength of

Ghana's press legislation is that freedom of expression and the press are guaranteed under the

country's constitution. A number of laws in the nation also protect journalists against arbitrary

30 Andrew O.Amegatcher,The Law of the Press: A Ghanaian Perspective (Accra,Ghana:Omega(Law)

Pub,1998),9.

18
custody, arrest, and harassment. This contains the Right to Information Act, the Criminal Offenses

Act, and the Whistleblower Act. Even while there are laws that protect journalists, they are not

always upheld, and thus they continue to face intimidation and harassment. Media ownership

concentration in the hands of a small number of people and organizations, which limits variety of

viewpoint and coverage and raises the possibility of a conflict of interest. The National Media

Commission (NMC), the organization in charge of regulating the media sector in Ghana, is unable

to execute its rulings. Because of this flaw, media outlets can disregard laws without suffering any

repercussions. He says that in order to overcome this, all stakeholders including journalists, media

owners, regulators, and policymakers will need a concerted effort.

Many people have commended his approach to the law of the press, which has gained hold across

the globe. For ages, the law of the press has attracted the attention of many academics. According

to F.K. Apaloo Former Chief Justice of Ghana and Kenya, transparency is an essential requirement

for public affairs, and the modern press plays an important part in democratic governance. While

government operate as the trustees of the people, not all their decisions are in the best interests of

the entire population. The press has a responsibility to reveal deceit and make public issues. The

right to freedom of the press is protected by written constitution and is regarded as the fourth estate

of the realm. However, it occasionally finds itself in Legal trouble. In “the law of the Press”, the

author gives a summary of some areas of press law that are intended for journalists and the public.

It also functions as a helpful guide for attorneys and students of law because if offers an extensive

discussion on the Ghana legal System.31

31 F.
K Apal
oo,“TheLaw ofthePress,”19777thed.(Ghanaian times,2007),23.

19
Mr. Amegatcher’s contributions offers insight on Ghana’s press law. It implies that journalists and

media outlets have a duty to report truthfully and ethnically to prevent the spread of wrong

information and reputational harm to people or the nation. His contributions to the Law of the

Press serve as a reminder to media organizations to follow their ethical obligations and provide

accurate reporting to stay out of trouble with the law.

20
 CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSION

This work examined the life and career of Mr. Andrew Ofoe Amegatcher from birth in 1938 to

date. In this study, it has stated how Andrew Amegatcher was brought up and education at

Presbyterian primary school, Presbyterian Junior High School, PRESEC secondary school, the

Ghana school of Journalism, Centre Universitaire d’Enseignement Superieur du Journalisme at

Strasbourg, France in 1962. University of Ghana, and University of Strasbourg and Paris in

1973.

The study shows that Andrew Amegatcher’s knowledge on Copyright and the Law of the Press

along with his work at the Information Service, Foreign Affairs and the Law firm has sent him to

several places across the globe. He worked as a diploma in Mali, a speaker at CISAC World

Congress of the Society for Africa, resource person at World Intellectual Property Organisation

(WIPO) copyright seminars in Malawi and Uganda CISAG and the University of Buea.

His is books on Copyright published in 2014 and the Law of the Press 1998, is the most desired

publication in Ghana. On this point, one can argue that any work on the Press and Copyright that

does not cite Andrew Amegatcher’s book as a source is itself incomplete. Dr. Arpad Bogsch

writes in his review that Andrew Amegatchers book on Copyright is an excellent work which

will certainly enhance Copyright awareness in his country and throughout English-speaking

Africa.32 The classic book is also used at the University of Ghana Law school enlighten students

on the Legal regime on Copyright jurisprudence in Ghana.33

32 Amegatcher,Ghanian Law of Copyright,2014,pt.Backcover.

33 F.
K Apal
oo,“The Law ofthe Press,”Daily Graphic,1999.

21
The devotedness of Amegatcher is one that has been applauded by the Information Service and

Foreign Affairs. The Information service must be grateful for his commitment as an interpreter

and in duties entrusted to him during t the Addis Ababa Conference of Head of Independent

African states.

Additionally, his service to Ghanaians and the globe together with his leadership qualities and

family life shows dexterity. One can infer that he is multi-tasked after reviewing his work on

Copyright and the Law of the Press in Ghana and the leadership positions he has had at various

levels. This is because in all these areas, he has proved himself capable. It is therefore not

surprising that his Children have had Mr. Amegatcher as a role model. Hence, occupy prominent

position in the society today. Indeed, his life is a testimonial to be studied by generations.

22
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

PRIMARY SOURCES
I. INTERVIEWS

Interview with Ergboasmus Elorm Agbo. former student of law school. University of

Ghana, 14 2023.

Personal interview with Andrew O. Amegatcher. “Early Life and Education of Andrew

Amegacher.” In-person at Dansoman, June 14, 2023.

———. ‘Information Service Years.’ In-person at Dansoman, July 24, 2023.

———. ‘Time in Paris.’ In-person at Dansoman, July 19, 2023.

Personal interview with Andrew Ofoe Amegatcher. ‘Time in Mali as a Diplomat.’ In-

person at Dansoman, July 14, 2023.

Personal interview with Mrs. Shormeh Amegatcher. In-person at Dansoman, June 14,

2023.

II. NEWSPAPER PUBLICATION

23
 F.K Apaloo. “The Law of the Press.” Daily Graphic, 1999.

III. PERSONAL DOCUMENTS OF MR. ANDREW OFOE AMEGATCHER

Amegatcher, Andrew O. “80th Birthday Service of Andrew Ofoe Amegacher,” December

3, 2018.

Amegatcher, Andrew Ofoe. “Modibo Keita,” 1964.

SECONDARY SOURCES

IV. BOOKS AND ARTICLES

Addo-Fening, Robert. Abrewa Nana: A Trajectory of Life: An Autobiography. Tema,

Ghana: DigiBooks, 2018.

Amegatcher, Andrew O. 1948 Riots: A Prelude to Ghana’s Independence. Place of

publication not identified: publisher not identified, 2022.

———. Ghanian Law of Copyright. Second edition. United Kingdom: Omega Law

Publishers, 2014.

———. The Law of the Press: A Ghanaian Perspective. Accra, Ghana: Omega (Law)

Pub, 1998.

Kessler-Harris, Alice. “Why Biography?” The American Historical Review 114, no. 3

(2009): 625–30.

24
25
 APPENDICES

a. letter written to Mr. Andrew Ofoe Amegatcher on his return from Addis Ababa

26
27
b. Letter written to Mr. Andrew Amegatcher to support his studies in French

28
29
c. Letter to Mr. Andrew Ofoe Amegatcher in the review on his book on Ghanaian Law of Copyright.

30
c. Mr. Andrew Ofoe Amegatchers wedding in Paris

d. Andrew Amegatcher as an interpreter in Mali

31
e. Andrew Amegatcher as a diplomat in Mali

32
f. Andrew Amegatcher at the OAU conference in 1963

33
g. Andrew Amegatcher at the OAU conference in 1963

34