Samuel Sarpong Ankrah
{{Short description|Ghanaian economist}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix = Dr.
| name = Sam Ankrah
| image =
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| caption =
| other_names =
| birth_name = Samuel Sarpong Ankrah
| birth_date = {{birth date|1974|05|30|}}
| birth_place = Kumasi, Ghana
| death_date =
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| nationality = Ghanaian
| education =
| alma_mater = University of London
Cranfield School of Management
Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica
| occupation = Development Economist
| years_active = 2006- present
| employer =
| organization =
| known_for = Investment strategist
| notable_works =
| title = CEO at Africa Investment Group
| term =
| predecessor =
| movement = Alternative Force for Action (AFA)
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}}
Samuel Sarpong Ankrah, simply referred to as Sam Ankrah (born 30 May 1974), is a Ghanaian economist and investment strategist.{{Cite web |title=All you need to know about Dr. Samuel Ankrah: Ghana's real alternative force |url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/1283380/all-you-need-to-know-about-dr-samuel-ankrah-ghan.html |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=Modern Ghana |language=en}} He is the CEO and Principal Partner of Africa Investment Group, an investment firm operating in Ghana and Switzerland. Since 2022, he has also served as the Chairman for Trade and Investment at the International Chamber of Commerce Ghana.{{Cite news |date=2023-02-27 |title=Profile of Dr. Samuel Sarpong Ankrah, independent presidential hopeful |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Profile-of-Dr-Samuel-Sarpong-Ankrah-independent-presidential-hopeful-1722020 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241226122612/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Profile-of-Dr-Samuel-Sarpong-Ankrah-independent-presidential-hopeful-1722020 |archive-date=2024-12-26 |access-date=2025-03-14 |work=GhanaWeb |language=en-US}} In 2023, Ankrah announced his independent candidacy for Ghana's 2024 presidential election but was disqualified over nomination form errors, a decision he disputed.{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-09-20 |title=Election 2024: "Our struggle continues", Dr. Sam Ankrah reaffirms commitment to 2nd Independence - abcnewsgh |url=https://abcnewsgh.com/our-struggle-continues-dr-ankrah-reaffirms-commitment-to-2nd-independence-for-an-affordable-ghana/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |language=en-GB}}
Early life and education
Ankrah was born on May 30, 1974, in Kumasi, Ghana, to James William Ankrah and Felicia Duku Amponsah. He attended Opoku Ware School, where he completed his O-level and A-level studies from 1986 to 1991.{{Cite web |last=Sokpe |first=Sellassie |date=2023-05-25 |title=Meet Dr. Samuel Sarpong Ankrah |url=https://betterghanadigest.com/2023/05/25/meet-dr-samuel-sarpong-ankrah/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=betterghanadigest.com |language=en-US}}
Ankrah attained his higher education in the United Kingdom, earning a degree in Statistics from the University of London, and an MBA in Finance from Cranfield School of Management. He further pursued an MSc in Economics, as well as a PhD in Philosophy, at Pan-American University in United States. He obtained a Master of Science (MSc) in Economics and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Finance from Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica.{{Cite news |date=2023-02-27 |title=The time to get involved is now - Dr Sam Ankrah |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/The-time-to-get-involved-is-now-Dr-Sam-Ankrah-1721942 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241219041736/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/The-time-to-get-involved-is-now-Dr-Sam-Ankrah-1721942 |archive-date=2024-12-19 |access-date=2025-03-14 |work=GhanaWeb |language=en-US}}
Career
Ankrah is the CEO and Principal Partner of Africa Investment Group in Ghana and Switzerland, where he oversees the company's long-term strategy since 2008. Since 2022, he serves as the Chairman for Trade and Investment at the International Chamber of Commerce Ghana, an organization he had served as the vice chair.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-05 |title=ICC Ghana invites Dr Sam Ankrah to chair board on trade, investment |url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/business/business-news/icc-ghana-invites-dr-sam-ankrah-to-chair-board-on-trade-investment.html |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Graphic Online |language=en-gb}} In 2016, Ankrah co-founded the New Africa Mobility Fund, an initiative of the AIG which focus on supporting development opportunities across Africa.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-23 |title=Economist, Investment Banker Sam Ankrah to deliver lecture on Ghana's economy on Nov. 30 |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2021/11/economist-investment-banker-sam-ankrah-to-deliver-lecture-on-ghanas-economy-on-nov-30/ |access-date=2025-03-15 |language=en-US}}
Ankrah also held roles as a Director and Partner at the Switzerland-based investment firms Kaitan Capital and Rampartners. He has locally served for several multinational companies, including SICPA Switzerland and TATA Energy. Additionally, he served as the Chairman of Onix DC. He is certified by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).{{Cite web |date=2023-03-07 |title=Reject NPP, NDC – Dr. Ankrah challenges Ghanaians - Republic Online |url=https://myrepubliconline.com/reject-npp-ndc-dr-ankrah-challenges-ghanaians/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |language=en-US}}
Politics
In 2023, Ankrah announced his independent candidacy for Ghana's 2024 presidential election under the "No Masked Promises" campaign.{{Cite web |last=Otchere |first=Gertrude Owireduwaah |date=2023-11-24 |title=Sam Ankrah officially joins 2024 presidential race - Adomonline.com |url=https://www.adomonline.com/sam-ankrah-officially-joins-2024-presidential-race/ |access-date=2025-03-14 |language=en-US}} However, he was disqualified by the Electoral Commission for failing to correct errors in his nomination forms. He called the decision "discriminatory" and "premeditated", claiming that the Electoral Commission of Ghana did not specify the errors, preventing him from making corrections.{{Cite web |last=GNA |date=2024-10-02 |title=Dr Sam Ankrah demands audit of presidential nomination forms |url=https://gna.org.gh/2024/10/dr-sam-ankrah-demands-audit-of-presidential-nomination-forms/ |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=Ghana News Agency |language=en-US}}
Advocacy
In 2015, Ankrah criticized Ghana's banking sector for being risk-averse and failing to take a leadership role in economic development. He urged banks to advocate for repatriating oil revenues to fund housing projects, arguing that this could generate sustainable revenue and reduce reliance on external aid. He also called on banks to support local businesses with capital instead of prioritizing low-risk investments.{{Cite web |date=2015-09-01 |title=Banks come under fire for being passive and risk averse |url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/business/business-news/banks-come-under-fire-for-being-passive-and-risk-averse.html |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=Graphic Online |language=en-gb}}