THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A PATRIOT: A BIOGRAPHY OF CHIEF SIMON DIEDONG DOMBO

ABSTRACT

In Ghana, biography as a study of personal histories has not been seriously pursued. This is because not much has been done about the life trajectories of personalities, who undoubtedly have contributed immensely to the socio-economic, cultural and political development of Ghana. It is therefore important that by sampling some of the more fascinating figures whose lives and activities had affected the people and the nation dramatically, readers are given an idea of the astonishing richness and variety of the lives of these great personalities, which should serve as models for our youths aspiring to make a difference.

It is worth noting that, although the lives of a few outstanding personalities such as J. E. Casely-Hayford, John Mensah Sarbah, Kwame Nkrumah, J. B. Danquah have been captured widely and comprehensively, names of other prominent Ghanaians have sunk into oblivion. The reason seems that either they did not themselves facilitate the researching of their lives or they were consciously neglected by potential biographers. It is in the light of the insignificant coverage given to some of these great personalities that this researcher has chosen to work on the biography of the late Chief Simon Diedong Dombo, a man who became an icon.

The objective of this thesis therefore is to look at S. D. Dombo‟s life not only as a politician but also as a socio-cultural figure and educationist and hence bring to the fore the multifaceted career that S. D. Dombo had pursued.

The methodology for the execution of this thesis depends on both primary and secondary data of a qualitative kind. These included collection and study of personal documents – letters, memos, mementoes and notes, as well as interviews with the few of his contemporaries and family members and associates. Library and archival materials will also be located and used.

The study should be useful to historians, students, lecturers, researchers, politicians and even ordinary people. As a reference point, the study will provide them with a clearer understanding of the personality of Dombo and his contribution to the development of Ghana.