William Ansah Sessarakoo – Ghana
Prince William Ansah Sessarakoo whose original name was Eno Baise Kurentsi was the son of a chief in Ghana’s Central Region. In 1748, hoping that he could gain a western education in England, his father Chief John Corrente put his 12-year-old son in the care of British officials making a return to England. Unfortunately for the prince, he was sold into slavery by Captain David Bruce, the captain of the ship and taken to Jamaica where he worked as a slave until he was recognised by a Fanti trader who sent information to Chief John Corrente. He was taken back to England under the protection of George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax. Eventually, Prince William Ansah was returned to his father and later worked in the Cape Coast Castle as an interpreter and writer.
