{{Short description|Ghanaian artist (1908–1998)}} {{use dmy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Oku Ampofo | birth_date = 4 November 1908 | birth_place = Amanase, Akuapem, Gold Coast | death_date = {{death year and age|1998|1908}} | alma_mater = University and Royal College of Edinburgh | occupation = Sculptor and doctor }} '''Oku Ampofo''' (4 November 1908 – 1998) was a Ghanaian sculptor and medical doctor. He became the first Ghanaian to receive a government scholarship to study medicine.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Oku Ampofo – UncoverED|url=http://uncover-ed.org/oku-ampofo/|access-date=2020-08-27|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Early life == Oku Ampofo was born in Amanase in Akuapem, Gold Coast. He studied medicine in Edinburgh, Scotland, at the university and Royal College of Edinburgh and Glasgow between 1933 and 1939.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Crabbe|first=Nathaniel|date=2020-06-17|title=Meet Dr Oku Ampofo the celebrated Ghanaian physician and sculptor|url=https://yen.com.gh/160165-meet-dr-oku-ampofo-renowned-ghanaian-physician-sculptor.html|access-date=2020-08-27|website=Yen.com.gh – Ghana news.|language=en}}</ref> In 1939 he obtained his medical degree.
== Career == In 1950, he began to specialize in the use of medical herbs and exotic medicines.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title=Dr Oku Ampofo an apostle of herbalism, a man of many talents|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/features/opinion/dr-oku-ampofo-an-apostle-of-herbalism-a-man-of-many-talents.html|location=Accra, Ghana|first=Michael|last=Bremfi|date=15 May 2017|access-date=2020-08-27|newspaper=Daily Graphic|language=en-gb}}</ref> He is to be considered a pioneer in the use of phytotherapy. He founded the Center for Scientific Research in Natural Medicine.
Ampofo was also an actor and sculptor. He began sculpting during his medical studies in Edinburgh, but later achieved national and international fame.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-10|title=Oku Ampofo, renowned physician and sculptor|url=https://ghanaianmuseum.com/oku-ampofo-founder-of-the-centre-for-scientific-research-into-plant-medicine/|access-date=2020-08-27|website=Ghanaian Museum|language=en-US}}</ref> Of particular note is his association the Oku Ampofo foundation which supports community development projects for the people of Ghana and in particular the city of Mampong Akuapem, where for many years he practised medicine. The Foundation supports research on herbal medicines needed to treat critical diseases in Ghana, West Africa and around the world. Ampofo died in 1998<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-03-05|title=Late sculptor and Pan-African Dr Oku Ampofo visits embassy of Ghana in Washington DC again|first=Oral|last=Ofori|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Late-sculptor-and-Pan-African-Dr-Oku-Ampofo-visits-embassy-of-Ghana-in-Washington-DC-again-631776|access-date=2020-08-27|website=www.ghanaweb.com|language=en}}</ref>
== Artistic practice == Oku performed hardwood and multi-colored work or concrete. His theoretical and imaginary corpus draws inspiration from the cultural and socio-religious aspects of the Ghanaian way of life.<ref name=":0" />
== Exhibitions == He exhibited in Senegal, Nigeria, England, the United States, Israel, Brazil and Romania. His work influenced Ghanaian artists, painters, sculptors and potters. He participated in the important Tendances et Confrontations exhibition organized during the Festival Mondial des Arts Nègres in Dakar in 1966.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ampofo|first=Oku|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yoz5HAAACAAJ|title=Dr Oku Ampofo Sculptures|date=1998|publisher=Oku Ampofo Foundation|language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ampofo, Oku}} Category:1908 births Category:1998 deaths Category:20th-century Ghanaian male artists Category:20th-century Ghanaian sculptors Category:20th-century medical doctors Category:Alumni of the University of Edinburgh Category:Ghanaian male sculptors Category:Ghanaian medical doctors Category:Herbalists Category:People from Eastern Region (Ghana)