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Biography
Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah is a Ghanaian-born officer in the British Army. Appointed by Queen Elizabeth II as her equerry, he is the first black man to hold this position. Twumasi-Ankrah is an officer of the Household Cavalry and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan.
Early life and education
Nana Twumasi-Ankrah was born in Ghana in 1979 and moved to the United Kingdom with his parents in 1983 when he was three years old. He enrolled at Queen Mary University in London and at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He then joined the Blues and Royals.
Working life
Twumasi-Ankrah has worked all his life in the military. He was the first black British Army officer to be commissioned into the Household Cavalry. He became known to the public in 2011 when he acted as escort commander at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. He was appointed as commander of the Blues and Royals at the Trooping the Colour ceremony during the Queen's birthday celebrations the same year. Twumasi-Ankrah currently holds the military rank of Major.
Equerry appointment
In July 2017 Twumasi-Ankrah was named by Queen Elizabeth II as her equerry. The appointment made him the first black man to perform that role. He succeeds Wing Commander Sam Fletcher, who will step down from the position later in 2017. The equerry is considered one of the most important positions in the royal household, requiring his attendance at official engagements at Buckingham Palace and on the road. The position is reserved for an officer of one of the armed services and lasts for a period of three years. His appointment coincides with Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, cutting back on his public appearances.
Personal life
Twumasi-Ankrah is married to Joanna Hanna-Grindall, who is a corporate partnerships manager at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The couple have two children.