Timothy Bankole

Background

Mr. Bankole was born in Freetown, Western Area, Sierra Leone, on July 3, 1923.

Education

Timothy Bankole attended the Methodist Boys' High School in Freetown where, as senior prefect, he was already establishing himself as a journalist by writing for the Sierra Leone Weekly News. Later he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from London University.

Career

Mr. Bankole served as a staff member/journalist at London Daily Express. Since 1951 he acted as an assistant editor at Daily Graphic (London). Later Mr. Bankole held the post of a correspondent from the Gold Coast (now Ghana) for London Observer and Ceylon Daily News. In 1950, the Daily Express appointed him a parliamentary reporter for the paper in London. His second great journalistic experience was when he was appointed to Ghana's main newspaper, The Daily Graphic, in 1951.

On 2 August 1951, Timothy left Ghana for Freetown. After a short stay there, he returned to London to further his journalistic career. He eventually became assistant editor of the Central Office of Information magazine, Commonwealth Today, and during this time he was invited to attend the Tashkent conference of African writers in the Soviet Union. In 1959, Bankole Timothy decided to return to Sierra Leone, where he joined the government's Information Services and was eventually appointed its head.

In 1965, Bankole was appointed to the Diamond Corporation West Africa Limited and, after a brief period in the public relations department in Freetown, he was transferred to London. Senior management recognised Bankole's communication skills and his understanding of problems and issues relating to developing Africa. His appointment was designed to strengthen DICORWAF's relationship, as part of the Central Selling Organisation (CSO), with the major producers in West Africa and he rapidly took to his role of helping to brief senior management on West African affairs until his retirement in July 1993.

Timothy died at the age of 70 on 20 June 1994, after a short illness.

Achievements

• Timothy Bankole was an author of stories and poems, some of which have been presented on the BBC’s Overseas and African “Voices” programs.

Works

• book

  • Kwame Nkrumah, from cradle to grave

    (Kwame Nkrumah, from cradle to grave [Bankole Timothy])

    1955
  • Africa: Dawn or Darkness

    (Africa: Dawn or Darkness [Timothy Bankole])

Religion

Timothy's work in the Methodist Church was always central to his life and he was well known in UK church circles. He worked initially as a local preacher at Methodist Central Hall and then later became secretary of the circuit meeting. Timothy eventually transferred to the Hinde Street Methodist Church, where he was appointed circuit steward. He preached throughout the UK and was described as "a great and generous advocate".

Personality

Mr. Bankole was well liked by all his colleagues because of his jovial and easy manner which were very much his hallmarks.