K. T. Hammond

K.T. Hammond, full name Kobina Tahir Hammond, is one of the New Patriotic Party's most combative veterans: a lawyer who held the Adansi-Asokwa seat in the Ashanti Region for six straight terms, from 2001 to 2025, and ended his career in government as Minister for Trade and Industry.

Adisadel, Legon and London

Born on 16 June 1960 and raised with roots in Asokwa, Hammond went to Adisadel College before reading law and political science at the University of Ghana, graduating in 1986. He then moved to the United Kingdom and qualified in law at Holborn Law School in London in 1991.

Twenty-four years in the House

Hammond first won Adansi-Asokwa in the December 2000 election that brought John Kufuor to power, and he did not lose it again for more than two decades. Across six parliaments he became known as one of the party's most outspoken members, with a long interest in mining and energy questions from his seat on the Mines and Energy Committee. In the Eighth Parliament he also sat on the Finance Committee.

Trade minister

In 2023 President Akufo-Addo brought him into government as Minister for Trade and Industry, a post he held until the NPP left office in January 2025.

His long run in Adansi-Asokwa ended at the 2024 election, when the NDC's Godwin Animli Dzogbazi-Dorani won the seat.