Paul Boateng

Boateng was born in Hackney, London, of mixed Ghanaian and Scottish heritage; his family later moved to Ghana when Boateng was four years old.Thomas, Ian, [http://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/article/section/bhm-firsts/paul-yaw-boateng/ "Paul Yaw Boateng"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142040/http://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/article/section/bhm-firsts/paul-yaw-boateng/ |date=12 June 2018 }}, Black History Month 365, 19 August 2015. His father, Kwaku Boateng, was a lawyer and Cabinet Minister during Kwame Nkrumah's regime. Boateng had his early education at Ghana International School and attended Accra Academy, a high school in Ghana. Boateng's life in Ghana came to an abrupt end after his father went to jail in 1966 following a military coup, which toppled the Ghanaian government. His father was imprisoned without trial for four years. Boateng, then aged 15, and his sister, Rosemary, fled to the UK with their mother.

They settled in Hemel Hempstead, where he attended Apsley Grammar School. He later read law at the University of Bristol, where he resided at Wills Hall and was a member of the Barneys Club. He began his career in civil rights, originally as a solicitor, though he later retrained as a barrister. He worked primarily on social and community cases, starting under renowned civil rights advocate Benedict Birnberg, involving women's rights, housing and police complaints, including a period from 1977 to 1981 as the legal advisor for the Scrap Sus Campaign. Boateng was also an executive member of the National Council for Civil Liberties. He represented Cherry Groce, a mother of six who was shot and paralysed by a police officer during a raid on her home, in search of her son.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/15/newsid_2530000/2530537.stm |title=BBC ON THIS DAY | 15 | 1987: Officer cleared in Groce shooting case |publisher=BBC News |date=15 January 1973 |access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822164125/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/15/newsid_2530000/2530537.stm |archive-date=22 August 2011 |url-status=live }} He became a partner at the firm B. M. Birnberg & Co., and as a barrister, he practised at Eight King's Bench Walk.

In 1981, Boateng was elected to represent Walthamstow on the Greater London Council, of which Ken Livingstone became leader shortly after the election. As chair of the GLC's police committee and vice-chair of its ethnic minorities committee, Boateng advocated greater accountability in the Metropolitan Police and spoke out against racism in relation to their dealings with the African Caribbean and Asian communities.

He unsuccessfully stood as a parliamentary candidate for Hertfordshire West (which included his former home town of Hemel Hempstead) at the 1983 general election. He was elected at the general election of 1987, when he became the MP for Brent South in succession to Laurence Pavitt, being one of the first non-white British MPs elected since the 1920s and the first black MP since Peter McLagan in the 19th century, elected alongside fellow Labour Party Black Sections members Bernie Grant, Diane Abbott and Keith Vaz.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/03/world/british-mp-s-form-caucus-to-advance-rights-of-minorities.html |title=British M.P.s Form Caucus to Advance Rights of Minorities |first=Sheila |last=Rule |work=The New York Times |page=A7 |date=3 April 1989 |access-date=19 April 2020 |archive-date=25 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025092541/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/03/world/british-mp-s-form-caucus-to-advance-rights-of-minorities.html |url-status=live }} During his victory speech, Boateng said: "We can never be free in Brent until South Africa is free too." He then declared: "Today Brent South, tomorrow Soweto!"

Like many other members of Labour's left-wing in the 1980s, he became more moderate under the leadership of Neil Kinnock. For instance, Boateng refused to join the Parliamentary Black Caucus founded by Diane Abbott, Bernie Grant, Keith Vaz and Lord David Pitt, Baron Pitt of Hampstead in 1988, which eventually collapsed. Kinnock rewarded Boateng by making him a junior Treasury spokesman in 1989, and then the first Black person to join the front bench as a party spokesperson. Boateng's portfolio included economics, industrial strategies and corporate responsibility.{{cite web |url=http://www.100greatblackbritons.com/bios/paul_boateng.html |title=Paul Boateng |publisher=100 Great Black Britons |date=29 May 2002 |access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825082611/http://www.100greatblackbritons.com/bios/paul_boateng.html |archive-date=25 August 2011 |url-status=live }} In 1992, he became shadow minister for the Lord Chancellor's Department, a post he held until the 1997 general election, where he was a strong advocate for increasing pro bono legal services among UK law firms.{{cite web |url=http://www.thelawyer.com/pro-bono-work-needs-greater-support/101979.article |title=Pro Bono Work Needs Greater Support |publisher=Thelawyer.com |date=11 July 1995 |access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825234203/http://www.thelawyer.com/pro-bono-work-needs-greater-support/101979.article |archive-date=25 August 2013 |url-status=live }}

With Labour's landslide victory in 1997, Boateng became the UK's first black government minister as Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health, where he was responsible for social services, mental health and disabled people. In that position, he published guidelines to end the denial of adoptions purely on the basis of race.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/160106.stm |title=UK | Adoption rules to end 'misguided' practices |publisher=BBC News |date=18 November 1998 |access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021101210614/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/160106.stm |archive-date=1 November 2002 |url-status=live }}

In 1998, Boateng became a Minister of State at the Home Office and subsequently became Number 2 Minister there. He was made a Privy Counsellor in 1999. He earned a reputation for being tough on crime, particularly with regard to aggressive begging on the streets.{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/675049.stm |title= Crackdown on beggars signalled |publisher= BBC News |date= 12 March 2000 |access-date= 26 August 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20030216064659/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/675049.stm |archive-date= 16 February 2003 |url-status= live }} He also worked with Eric Holder, then United States Deputy Attorney-General, and Louis Freeh, then Director of the FBI, on issues related to international drug trafficking and interdiction.{{cite web |url= https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1999/oct/29/ministerial-meetings-us |title= Ministerial Meetings (US) |work= Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |date= 29 October 1999 |access-date= 26 August 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121228022504/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1999/oct/29/ministerial-meetings-us |archive-date= 28 December 2012 |url-status= live }}

Boateng's portfolio was expanded in 2000, and he became the first Minister for Young People, where his priority was to listen to and be a voice for Britain's youth.{{cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/paul-boateng-we-understand-the-vital-importance-of-feedback-135911.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/paul-boateng-we-understand-the-vital-importance-of-feedback-135911.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Paul Boateng: 'We understand the vital importance of feedback' |work=The Independent |date=14 December 2002 |access-date=26 August 2011 |location=London}} He launched the Youth, Citizenship and Social Change programme, then the UK's largest research project designed to examine social exclusion and promoting citizenship among young people.{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/375505.stm |title= British Youth in the Spotlight |publisher=BBC News |date=23 June 1999 |access-date=26 August 2011}} He also played a leading role in establishing and launching the £450,000,000 Children's Fund designed to tackle child poverty.{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/1023683.stm |title=Poor Children to Get Help |publisher=BBC News |date=15 November 2000 |access-date=26 August 2011}} Boateng's ministerial colleagues encouraged him to stand as the Labour candidate to be the Mayor of London; however, he ruled himself out and strongly criticised his former GLC colleague Ken Livingstone. Boateng supported the candidacy of Frank Dobson, with whom he had served in the Department of Health.{{cite news |url= https://www.standard.co.uk/news/boateng-from-leftie-to-blairite-6328264.html |title= Boateng: from Leftie to Blairite |author= Leapman, Ben |date= 29 May 2002 |work= Evening Standard|location=London |access-date= 3 April 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223933/http://www.standard.co.uk/news/boateng-from-leftie-to-blairite-6328264.html |archive-date= 3 March 2016 |url-status= live }}

In 2001, Boateng was made Financial Secretary to the Treasury, and was promoted to the position of Chief Secretary to the Treasury in May 2002, becoming Britain's first black cabinet minister. He was quoted as saying: "My colour is part of me but I do not choose to be defined by my colour." His appointment was greeted with praise by civil rights activists who said that his appointment gave hope to young black youths, and would inspire them to become involved in politics.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2014444.stm |title=Black Minister Makes Cabinet History |publisher=BBC News |date=29 May 2002 |access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113155246/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2014444.stm |archive-date=13 November 2008 |url-status=live }} To commemorate this historic achievement, Parliament commissioned a painting of Boateng by Jonathan Yeo, which is displayed in the collection of 21st Century Parliamentarians.{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.uk/worksofart/artwork/jonathan-yeo/portrait-of-paul-boateng-/6483 |title=Artwork – Paul Boateng MP – UK Parliament |publisher=Parliament.uk |date=20 April 2010 |access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122154538/http://www.parliament.uk/worksofart/artwork/jonathan-yeo/portrait-of-paul-boateng-/6483 |archive-date=22 November 2011 |url-status=live }}

In his role as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Boateng was responsible for finalising the Spending Review of 2002 and leading the Spending Review of 2004. Coordinating with Sir Peter Gershon's report, Boateng announced in 2004 the government's efficiency programme to save more than £20,000,000,000 in the public sector.{{cite web |url=http://www.publictechnology.net/content/1378 |title=2004 Spending Review: A drive for £20bn efficiencies following Gershon review |publisher=PublicTechnology.net |date=13 July 2004 |access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927010549/http://www.publictechnology.net/content/1378 |archive-date=27 September 2011 |url-status=live }}

Boateng played a leading role in coordinating the Every Child Matters policy paper, which called for the reform of children's services, including greater accountability and coordination among government agencies.{{cite web |url=http://www.pgce.soton.ac.uk/ict/NewPGCE/ECM.htm |title=Every child matters |publisher=Pgce.soton.ac.uk |access-date=26 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223061339/http://www.pgce.soton.ac.uk/ict/NewPGCE/ECM.htm |archive-date=23 February 2011 }} He was also a passionate advocate for increasing development aid to Africa and the developing nations. Foreshadowing his future role, he made numerous trips to Africa, meeting with business and government leaders in an effort to highlight the fact that international aid and the Millennium Development Goals were key priorities for the government.{{cite web |url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/72120/1/boateng-meets-ghanaian-economic-community-civil-so.html |title=Boateng meets Ghanaian economic community, civil society |publisher=ModernGhana.com |date=16 February 2005|access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825140220/http://www.modernghana.com/news/72120/1/boateng-meets-ghanaian-economic-community-civil-so.html |archive-date=25 August 2013 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.afrol.com/articles/15628 |title=afrol News – Britain pays part of Ghana's debts |publisher=Afrol.com |access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928104537/http://afrol.com/articles/15628 |archive-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://secure.financialmail.co.za/04/0903/focus/ffocus.htm |title=SA cast in big role in Africa |first= Paul|last=Boateng|work=Financial Mail |date=3 September 2004 |access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725132702/http://secure.financialmail.co.za/04/0903/focus/ffocus.htm |archive-date=25 July 2011 |url-status=dead }} Boateng also assisted Gordon Brown in drafting the Africa Commission report, which called for increasing aid to Africa from Western nations to $50 billion a year.{{cite news |last=Landberg |first=Reed V. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aH1be1IRHEiQ&refer=uk |title=U.K. Treasury's Boateng to Take Job in South Africa (Update1) |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |date=14 March 2005 |access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824221115/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aH1be1IRHEiQ&refer=uk |archive-date=24 August 2013 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/speech_cst_241003.htm |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407185659/http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/speech_cst_241003.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 April 2010 |title=[ARCHIVED CONTENT] Speech by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Paul Boateng MP, at the South Africa Conference – HM Treasury |publisher=Webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk |access-date=26 August 2011 }}

In March 2005, Boateng announced that he would not stand for re-election as an MP at the general election. Dawn Butler was selected by the Constituency Labour Party to replace him and was elected in Brent South.

Due to Boateng's passion and enthusiasm for the government's Africa Commission Report and his associations with African leaders,{{cite web |author=unknown |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/lifestyle/2005-07-17-a-diplomat-with-africa-in-his-veins/ |title=A diplomat with Africa in his veins |work=Times LIVE |date=17 July 2005 |access-date=4 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825163853/http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/article73391.ece/A-diplomat-with-Africa-in-his-veins |archive-date=25 August 2013 |url-status=live }} Tony Blair named him to be the next High Commissioner to South Africa for a term of four years, making him the first black ambassador in British history.Freeman, Simon (14 March 2005), [https://web.archive.org/web/20110611213938/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/africa/article427413.ece "Boateng Moved to Africa Post"], Times Online. {{Cite web |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/africa/article427413.ece |title=Archived copy |access-date=17 June 2010 |archive-date=11 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611213938/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/africa/article427413.ece |url-status=dead }} Many Africans praised the appointment, stating that it was an important symbolic break from Britain's colonial past and saw it as a symbol of Tony Blair's commitment to the continent. Boateng is credited with building a close relationship with the African National Congress government in South Africa, and it was reported that he privately worked to bring together bitter rivals in the crisis in Zimbabwe,{{cite web |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/2008/03/a-diplomat-who-could-yet-be-the-british-obama/ |title=A diplomat who could yet be the British Obama |work=The Spectator |first=Tim|last= Walker|date=12 March 2008 |access-date=26 August 2011 }} although he publicly condemned the Zimbabwean government's illegal occupation of land from white farmers{{cite web |url=http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/farm59.16552.html |title=Zimbabwe broke land deal |publisher=Newzimbabwe.com |access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121217071826/http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/farm59.16552.html |archive-date=17 December 2012 |url-status=dead }} and the resulting turmoil, which Boateng labelled a "human rights crisis."{{Cite web |url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/VBOL-6DRGHG?OpenDocument |title=ReliefWeb » Document Preview » 'Human rights crisis' in Zimbabwe |access-date=25 March 2006 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20060325151036/http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/VBOL-6DRGHG?OpenDocument |archive-date=25 March 2006 |url-status=bot: unknown }}

He has also addressed the World Economic Forum on issues concerning Africa.{{cite web |url=http://www.sabcnews.com/portal/site/SABCNews/menuitem.5c4f8fe7ee929f602ea12ea1674daeb9/?vgnextoid=fbdfa2ac4e16d110VgnVCM10000077d4ea9bRCRD&vgnextfmt=default |title=A crocodile with two stomachs; the World Economic Forum |publisher=SABCNews |access-date=26 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629003221/http://www.sabcnews.com/portal/site/SABCNews/menuitem.5c4f8fe7ee929f602ea12ea1674daeb9/?vgnextoid=fbdfa2ac4e16d110VgnVCM10000077d4ea9bRCRD&vgnextfmt=default |archive-date=29 June 2011 }} In 2008, he participated in a number of talks with political leaders in the United States to encourage them to support the Doha Development Round trade negotiations that would open Western markets to goods from Africa and other developing countries.{{cite web |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200803181246.html |title=UK Envoy Calls for Urgent Citizen Advocacy on Trade |publisher=Allafrica.com |date=18 March 2008 |access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629133304/http://allafrica.com/stories/200803181246.html |archive-date=29 June 2011 |url-status=live }}

On 28 May 2010, it was announced in the 2010 Dissolution Honours that Boateng would become a member of the House of Lords.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/may/28/peers-dissolution-honours-list/ |title=At a glance: The new working peers |work=The Guardian |date=28 May 2010 |access-date=26 August 2011 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108190219/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/may/28/peers-dissolution-honours-list |archive-date=8 January 2014 |url-status=live }} On 27 June 2010 he was created Baron Boateng, of Akyem in the Republic of Ghana and of Wembley in the London Borough of Brent{{London Gazette |issue=59476 |date=1 July 2010 |page=12451}} and was introduced to the Lords on 1 July 2010; he was supported by Lord Ouseley and Lord Janner. Boateng's maiden speech to the House of Lords highlighted the needs of poor and disadvantaged children, both in rural and urban areas. He called on the Government to examine the impact that the Budget and forthcoming Spending Review would have on children at risk.{{cite web |author=Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Lords, Westminster |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/100722-0001.htm#10072235000563 |title=Lords Hansard text for 22 July 2010 |publisher=Publications.parliament.uk |access-date=17 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330012658/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/100722-0001.htm#10072235000563 |archive-date=30 March 2014 |url-status=live }}

In December 2011, he initiated a debate in the House of Lords to discuss cuts in funding to the Citizens Advice Bureau centres, which he vehemently opposed.{{cite web |author=Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Lords, Westminster |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/111208-0002.htm |title=Lords Hansard text for 8 Dec 2011 |publisher=Publications.parliament.uk |date=8 December 2011 |access-date=4 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710132752/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/111208-0002.htm |archive-date=10 July 2014 |url-status=live }}

He is a member of Labour Friends of Israel.{{cite web|url=https://www.lfi.org.uk/in-parliament/|title=LFI Supporters in Parliament|access-date=8 September 2019|work=Labour Friends of Israel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002100511/https://www.lfi.org.uk/in-parliament/|archive-date=2 October 2019|url-status=live}}

Boateng is an active Methodist and is a lay preacher;{{cite web |url=http://www.wfn.org/2003/01/msg00066.html |title=Methodist serves as Britain's first mixed race Cabinet minister |publisher=Wfn.org |date=13 January 2003 |access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613164435/http://www.wfn.org/2003/01/msg00066.html |archive-date=13 June 2011 |url-status=dead }} he served as a Methodist delegate to the World Council of Churches and as Vice-Moderator of its programme to combat racism. During the South African General Elections of 1994, which ended apartheid, he was a member of the delegation sent by the Association of Western European Parliamentarians Against Apartheid to monitor the elections.

He previously served on the board of the English National Opera (1984 to 1997) and the English Touring Opera (1993 to 1997). In 1993, he wrote the foreword to the HarperCollins collected works edition of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility.{{cite web |url=http://www.jasna.org/persuasions/printed/number15/latkin2.htm |title=Patricia Latkin |publisher=Jasna.org |access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928092134/http://www.jasna.org/persuasions/printed/number15/latkin2.htm |archive-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=live }} He has been a commentator and television presenter on programmes including Channel 4's Nothing But The Truth and BBC Radio 4's Looking Forward to the Past.{{cite web |url=http://www.debretts.com/people/biographies/browse/b/14929/Paul%20Yaw%20Boateng+BOATENG.aspx |title=The Lord Boateng, PC Authorised Biography – Debrett's People of Today, The Lord Boateng, PC Profile |publisher=Debretts.com |date=14 June 1951 |access-date=26 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619125001/http://www.debretts.com/people/biographies/browse/b/14929/Paul%20Yaw%20Boateng+BOATENG.aspx |archive-date=19 June 2013 }}

In 2011, he was a non-executive Director of Aegis Defence Services, a private security, military and risk management company founded by controversial arms dealer Lt Colonel Tim Spicer, who was at the heart of the Sandline affair{{cite web |url=http://www.aegisworld.com/index.php/about-us-2 |title=AEGIS – About Us |publisher=Aegisworld.com |access-date=29 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112095445/http://www.aegisworld.com/index.php/about-us-2 |archive-date=12 November 2011 }}{{cite web |url=http://acoba.independent.gov.uk/former_crown_servants_appointments.aspx |title=Advisory Committee on Business Appointments | Home |publisher=Acoba.independent.gov.uk |access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830032033/http://acoba.independent.gov.uk/former_crown_servants_appointments.aspx |archive-date=30 August 2011 |url-status=live }} but had left by 2013.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114212258/http://www.aegisworld.com/index.php/new2/about-us-2/management2|archive-date=14 November 2011|website=Aegis|url=http://www.aegisworld.com/index.php/new2/about-us-2/management2|title =About us}}

Boateng was serving on the executive board of the international Christian charity Food for the Hungry, in 2012[http://www.fh.org/who/leadership] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102232751/http://www.fh.org/who/leadership|date=2 January 2012}} and is a trustee of the Planet Earth Institute along with chairman Álvaro Sobrinho.{{Cite web |date=2018-03-25 |title=Credit-card scandal casts light on Labour peer’s links to football-club owner who had faced investigation |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/lord-boateng-labour-planet-earth-institute-mauritius-president-alvaro-sobrinho-bribery-allegations-a8272331.html |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=The Independent |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=One moment, please... |url=https://planetearthinstitute.org.uk/board-of-trustees/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240418015652/https://planetearthinstitute.org.uk/board-of-trustees/ |archive-date=2024-04-18 |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=planetearthinstitute.org.uk |language=en}}

Boateng is a vice-president of The London Library.{{Cite web|url=https://www.londonlibrary.co.uk/about-us/patron-president-trustees|title=Patrons, Presidents and Trustees|website=londonlibrary.co.uk|access-date=2019-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331214056/https://www.londonlibrary.co.uk/about-us/patron-president-trustees|archive-date=31 March 2019|url-status=live}}

In 2014, he became the chair of charity BookAid International.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebookseller.com/news/lord-boateng-new-chair-book-aid-international|title=Lord Boateng new chair of Book Aid International|website=www.The Bookseller|date=4 March 2014|first=Caroline |last=Carpenter|access-date=2017-08-04}}

In 2019, he became Chancellor of the University of Greenwich.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gre.ac.uk/articles/public-relations/a4128-boateng-chancellor|title=Paul Boateng inaugurated as Chancellor of the University of Greenwich|website=gre.ac.uk|date=15 July 2019|access-date=2021-10-11|archive-date=28 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028174945/https://www.gre.ac.uk/articles/public-relations/a4128-boateng-chancellor|url-status=live}}

In 1988, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference honoured Boateng as the recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award for his contributions to the field of civil rights.{{Cite web |url=http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a52/News_Room/Press/20100115AD52PR01.aspx |title=January 15, 2010 – Assemblymember Isadore Hall, III Receives 2010 Martin Luther King, Jr. Award |access-date=2 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202042136/http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a52/News_Room/Press/20100115AD52PR01.aspx |archive-date=2 February 2010 |url-status=dead }}

In 2003, Boateng was named on the list of "100 Great Black Britons".{{cite web|url= http://www.100greatblackbritons.com/bios/paul_boateng.html|website= 100 Great Black Britons|title= Paul Boateng|access-date= 15 June 2010|archive-date= 25 August 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110825082611/http://www.100greatblackbritons.com/bios/paul_boateng.html|url-status= dead}}

He received honorary Doctor of Law degrees from West London University on 25 July 2018, Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) in 2004{{cite web |url=http://www.lincoln.edu/marketing/pr/news042904.html |title=Lincoln University |publisher=Lincoln.edu |access-date=26 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719215539/http://www.lincoln.edu/marketing/pr/news042904.html |archive-date=19 July 2011 }} and the University of Bristol in 2007.{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.ac.uk/pace/graduation/honorary-degrees/hondeg07/boateng.html |title=Rt. Hon. Paul Boateng: Doctor of Laws – University of Bristol |publisher=Bristol.ac.uk |access-date=29 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825210316/http://www.bristol.ac.uk/pace/graduation/honorary-degrees/hondeg07/boateng.html |archive-date=25 August 2013 |url-status=live }}

Boateng was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in the 2023 Birthday Honours for services as a trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award.{{London Gazette|issue=64082|supp=y|page=B4|date=17 June 2023}}

Boateng is married to Janet, a former councillor in Lambeth.{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/3446687/Wife-of-Paul-Boateng-investigated-for-allegedly-bullying-black-staff.html | work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London | first=Andrew | last=Pierce | title=Wife of Paul Boateng investigated for allegedly bullying black staff | date=12 November 2008 | access-date=3 April 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503094722/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/3446687/Wife-of-Paul-Boateng-investigated-for-allegedly-bullying-black-staff.html | archive-date=3 May 2019 | url-status=live }} They have two sons and three daughters.

Allen, Kate (24 September 2004), [http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/journals/insidehousing/legacydata/uploads/pdfs/1098958952_IH.040924.020-021.pdf "Treasure trove"], Inside Housing. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407122628/http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/journals/insidehousing/legacydata/uploads/pdfs/1098958952_IH.040924.020-021.pdf |date=7 April 2014 }}. In November 2011, Boateng's son Benjamin, then aged 27, was jailed for almost four years for a sex attack on a woman.{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/lord-boateng-s-arrogant-son-jailed-for-sex-assault-at-party-6367980.html|title=Lord Boateng's 'arrogant' son jailed for sex assault at party|date=12 April 2012|work=Evening Standard|location=London|archive-date=3 October 2022|access-date=3 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003045506/https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/lord-boateng-s-arrogant-son-jailed-for-sex-assault-at-party-6367980.html|url-status=live}}

• Black British elite, the class that Boateng belongs to

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Paul Boateng}}

• Tim Walker, [https://web.archive.org/web/20110118030539/http://www.spectator.co.uk/essays/all/552766/a-diplomat-who-could-yet-be-the-british-obama.thtml "A Diplomat Who Could Yet Be the British Obama"], The Spectator, 12 March 2008

• [http://allafrica.com/stories/200803181246.html Interview with British High Commissioner Paul Boateng Regarding Doha and International Trade], 18 March 2008.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100708223910/http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/paul-boateng/25159 Lord Boateng – UK Parliament Biography]
• Paul Boateng, [http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/politics/2012/04/prevention-better-cure "Prevention is Better Than Cure"], New Statesman, 28 April 2012.
• [https://archive.today/20050510120000/http://www.paulboateng.labour.co.uk/ViewPage00af.html UK Web Archive: Website for Paul Boateng MP (2005)]
• [http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407185656/http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/speech_cst_201003.htm "Every Child Matters: Speech by Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Paul Boateng MP, at Toynbee Hall"], 20 October 2003.
• [http://www.cywu.org.uk/index.php?id=8&type_id=18&category_id=17&article_id=55 Paul Boateng Reports on Children's and Young People's Unit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719153913/http://www.cywu.org.uk/index.php?id=8&type_id=18&category_id=17&article_id=55 |date=19 July 2011 }}
• [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/paul-boateng-we-understand-the-vital-importance-of-feedback-610826.html Paul Boateng: We Understand the Vital Importance of Feedback]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4347171.stm "Boateng to step down at election"], BBC News, 14 March 2005.
• [http://politics.guardian.co.uk/person/0,,-485,00.html Paul Boateng] – Aristotle profile from The Guardian
• [https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/paul_boateng/brent_south Paul Boateng] – profile from TheyWorkForYou.com
• [http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1109173504562 New High Commissioner to South Africa] – FCO Announcement
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070314084632/http://www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage&c=Page&cid=1024659593176 United Kingdom High Commission to South Africa: introduction of the High Commissioner Paul Boateng]; [https://web.archive.org/web/20070315194335/http://www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage&c=Page&cid=1136908941885 CV of Paul Boateng]
• [http://www.parliament.uk/worksofart/artwork/jonathan-yeo/portrait-of-paul-boateng-/6483 Artistic Portrait of Paul Boateng by Jonathan Yeo]

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