Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah


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 1982 when he was three years old. He enrolled at Queen Mary University, London upon completion of his school education and then joined the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Twumasi-Ankara was then commissioned in the Blues and Royals.

Working life

Twumasi-Ankrah has worked all his life in the military. He was the first black African 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 Royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton and was seen alongside the 1902 State Landau in the carriage procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. Twumasi-Ankrah was appointed as commander of the Blues and Royals at the Trooping the Colour ceremony during the Queen's birthday celebrations the same year. He currently holds the military rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

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 stepped down from the position in 2017. The equerry is considered one of the most important and senior positions in the royal household, requiring his attendance at official engagements at Buckingham Palace and other Royal residences. The position is reserved for an officer of one of the armed services and lasts for a period of three years. His appointment coincided with Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, cutting back on his public appearances and his subsequent retirement from public life.

Personal life

Twumasi-Ankrah is married to Joanna Hanna-Grindall, who is a senior corporate partnerships manager at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The couple currently have two children. He is known as TA amongst his Army colleagues.