TIME magazine has celebrated significant personalities for their achievements and milestones over the years.

Notable personalities featured by the magazine include former CEO of Microsoft Bill Gates, former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and former President of the USA Barack Obama, among others.

Several key Ghanaian personalities have also made strides over the years, earning them recognition by TIME magazine.

Their outstanding contributions to society have earned these individuals a spot in America’s most popular magazine.

GhanaWeb looks at Ghanaian personalities recognised by TIME magazine:



1. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah

Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, was the first Ghanaian to be featured on the front-page cover of TIME magazine, four years before Ghana gained independence in March 1957.

Behind the image of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was an illustration of the African map with an inscription ‘GOLD COAST’S KWAME NKRUMAH – In the Dark Continent, dawns early light’ captured beneath.




2. Alan Kyerematen

The founder and leader of Movement for Change, Alan Kyeremanten, was featured in TIME magazine in 1994 as one of the 100 global leaders for the millennium, alongside Bill Gates, John F. Kennedy Jr., and other famous individuals.




3. Fred Swaniker

Entrepreneur and educator Fred Swaniker was recognised by Time in 2019 as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

His organisation, African Leadership Group, was also featured among the 50 most innovative companies by Fast Company, an American business magazine.

Swaniker received a TIME 100 Impact Award in 2023 for his contribution to education. His other recognitions include World Economic Forum Young Global Leader in 2012 and TED Fellow in 2009.




4. El Anatsui

The prominent Ghanaian artist was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2023.

He was the only Ghanaian on the annual list, featured in the ‘Artists’ category, alongside notable figures like Michael B. Jordan and Salma Hayek Pinault.

Anatsui is one of the most highly acclaimed artists in African history, using discarded items like newspaper printing plates and caps from liquor bottles to create sculptures.

His sculptures have been collected by major international museums, including the British Museum, Centre Pompidou, de Young Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and Museum Kunstpalast.

MAG/MA