Komla Agbeli Gbedemah, born on June 17, 1913, in Warri, Nigeria, was a prominent Ghanaian politician and a key figure in the country's journey to independence. Of Ewe descent, he pursued his education at Adisadel College in Cape Coast from 1925 to 1929 and continued at Achimota College until 1933. After completing his studies, Gbedemah embarked on a teaching career in the Akuapem District of the Gold Coast and later served as a science master at Accra Academy in Jamestown starting in 1939. In 1943, he left teaching to fully engage in the timber industry.

Gbedemah's political journey began with his involvement in the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC). However, he soon aligned with Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to establish the Convention People's Party (CPP), where his exceptional organizational skills were instrumental. While Nkrumah was imprisoned by colonial authorities, Gbedemah orchestrated his successful campaign for the Accra Central Municipal seat in the Legislative Council elections on February 8, 1951. Following Nkrumah's victory and subsequent release on February 12, 1951, Gbedemah was appointed the first Ghanaian Minister for Health and Labour. By 1954, he advanced to the role of Minister of Finance, a position he held for seven years. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in securing U.S. support for the Akosombo Dam project. However, as tensions grew between him and Nkrumah over financial policies, Gbedemah was reassigned to Minister of Health in May 1961 and eventually resigned in September of the same year, subsequently going into exile.

A notable episode in Gbedemah's life occurred on October 10, 1957, when he was denied service at a Howard Johnson's restaurant in Dover, Delaware, due to racial segregation. This incident prompted an apology from U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower and an invitation to the White House for breakfast.

After Nkrumah's overthrow in 1966, Gbedemah returned to Ghana and founded the National Alliance of Liberals (NAL) in 1969. The NAL secured 29 out of 140 parliamentary seats in the elections, but Gbedemah was barred from taking his seat due to a Supreme Court ruling that disqualified individuals with adverse findings from holding public office. In 1972, following the overthrow of Prime Minister K.A. Busia's government, he briefly served as Ambassador Plenipotentiary. Later, he co-founded the People's Movement for Freedom and Justice, advocating for a return to civilian governance. Gbedemah passed away on July 11, 1998, at the age of 85.