Artist and cultural figure Marigold Akufo-Addo, sister of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-A
Artist and cultural figure Marigold Akufo-Addo, sister of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has shared a personal reflection suggesting that signs of leadership were visible in the former president from a very young age.
Speaking in an interview Kafui Dey on January 12, 2026, Marigold Akufo-Addo said she both did and did not believe his elder brother would one day become president, noting that while there was no clear political ambition at the time, there were unmistakable signs of charisma and influence.
“Let’s say that he had a great street following in spite of himself when he was little.”
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Marigold Akufo-Addo said she once mentioned to their father that Akufo-Addo’s charisma draws crowd and the father cautioned that children who draw crowds effortlessly must be carefully nurtured because such influence often signals future leadership even if not through formal authority.
“He said young men who draw crowds like that may not sit on the seat per se, but they will influence a lot of people,” Marigold recounted.
She also pointed to Nana Akufo-Addo’s connection with his community, recalling how residents associated their father’s distinctive dark green car with the young Akufo-Addo because of how well-known he was in the area.
Beyond academics, Marigold noted that his brother was actively involved in organising football activities during school holidays, overseeing both younger and older players at local grounds.
According to her, Akufo-Addo’s popularity in sporting circles earned him the nickname “Bob Negro,” a reflection, he said, of the strong following Nana Akufo-Addo enjoyed even outside the classroom.
Although Nana Akufo-Addo once considered pursuing football seriously, Marigold said the idea was discouraged due to concerns about education and long-term prospects, a decision she believes ultimately shaped his future path.
“That time he was in charge of all the footballers, young and old. Great sports organization. Yes, he used to go to, there’s a place, a smaller stadium where they had that and I don’t know, for some reason he was popular there and they named him Bob Negro.
“So, he wanted to be a footballer at that time but they had to stop that because of course then the footballers were not learning.”
AM
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