Meet Arthur Wharton, the first Ghanaian professional footballer

SPORTS

Stories and facts

Author: David Ayinaba Abayaa

Arthur Wharton, born on 28 October 1865 in Jamestown, Gold Coast (now part of Accra, Ghana), is revered as a pioneer in the history of football.

He is widely acknowledged as the inaugural black professional footballer, having made substantial advancements in the sport during the late 19th century.

Wharton's ancestry showcases his mixed background. His father, Henry Wharton, had roots in Grenada and Scotland, while his mother, Annie Florence Egyriba, came from Ghanaian Fante royalty.

At 19, Wharton traveled to England in 1882 with dreams of pursuing Methodist missionary work but soon shifted his focus to athletics, leading him to pursue a career as a professional athlete.

Explore the life of Arthur Wharton below.