John Banks Elliott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Banks Elliott
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Elliott, February 2011
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| Ghanaian Ambassador to the Soviet Union | |
| In office 1960–1966 |
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| President | Kwame Nkrumah |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 February 1917 Cape Coast, Ghana |
| Died | 18 July 2018 (aged 101) |
John Banks Elliott (born February 9, 1917 – died July 18, 2018) was an important person from Ghana. He worked as a diplomat, which means he represented his country in other nations. He was also a statesman, a respected leader in government.
John Banks Elliott was Ghana's very first Ambassador to the Soviet Union. An ambassador is a country's top representative in another country. He served in this important role from 1960 to 1966.
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Early Life and Family History
John Banks Elliott was born in 1917. His father, Gerald Barton Elliott, was a lawyer and auctioneer. His mother, Mary Wood-Elliott, was a sacristan, a person who takes care of a church.
He was named after his grandfather, also named John Banks Elliott. His grandfather came to the Gold Coast (which is now Ghana) a long time ago. He worked as a timber merchant. The older John Banks Elliott also loved photography. His photos from the 1880s and 1890s show trading posts, factories, towns, markets, and people in the Gold Coast. These old photos are kept safe at the Bodleian Library of Commonwealth and African Studies at Oxford University.
His Career as an Ambassador
During his time as an ambassador, John Banks Elliott held several important positions. He was the leader of the "Diplomatic Corps" in the Soviet Union. This means he was the most senior ambassador from all the countries there. He also led groups of ambassadors from Commonwealth, African, and Asian nations.
His appointment as Ghana's ambassador to the Soviet Union was announced in Moscow in January 1960.
Presenting His Credentials
To become an official ambassador, a diplomat must present their "credentials." These are formal letters that show they are authorized to represent their country. John Banks Elliott first presented his credentials to K.E. Voroshilov. Voroshilov was the head of the Soviet Union's government at the time.
On July 1, 1960, Ghana became an independent country called a Republic. The first President of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah, confirmed John Banks Elliott's role. Elliott then presented his credentials again, this time to Leonid Brezhnev. Brezhnev later became a very important leader in the Soviet Union.
John Banks Elliott lived a very long life. He celebrated his 100th birthday on February 9, 2017.
Personal Life
In 1950, John Banks Elliott's daughter, Alice Ivy Elliott, was born in Ghana. She grew up to become a ballet teacher and a choreographer. A choreographer is someone who creates dance routines.
