Jean Konan Banny
Encyclopedia
Jean Konan Banny is an Ivorian
politician of the Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire (PDCI). He is the brother of Charles Konan Banny
, a former Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire.
A lawyer, Banny served as Minister of Defense for Côte d'Ivoire from its independence in 1960 to 1963. In 1963, he was arrested, tried, and sentenced to death on charges of participating in President Félix Houphouët-Boigny
's "complot du chat noir" (black cat conspiracy). Meanwhile, his office was transferred to Kouadio M'Bahia Blé whose ministership lasted more than 17 years. There was discontent in the army, as the generals stirred following his arrest and Houphouët-Boigny had to intervene personally to sedate the army.
Banny, who personally knew Houphouët-Boigny from childhood, was pardoned and released in 1967. He asked Banny to be the mayor of Yamoussoukro
, though Houphouët-Boigny's successor, Henri Konan Bédié
, appointed Banny as Resident Minister of the capital. The Resident Minister is a member of the Council of Elders of the PDCI, which includes roughly a hundred elders.
He also directs the Société fruitière du Bandama, an industrial company, which produces and exports fruit juice, mainly that of pineapples. The company created the popular drink Cristelor in 1983. Described as a delice d'ananas petillant, French for sparkling pineapple delight, it is popularly called pineapple champagne. Banny claimed the idea "came to [him when he thought] to make a wine from pineapples" and was named after his granddaughter Cristel. He also proposed an alcoholic version of the drink.
Côte d'Ivoire
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa. It has an area of , and borders the countries Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana; its southern boundary is along the Gulf of Guinea. The country's population was 15,366,672 in 1998 and was estimated to be...
politician of the Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire (PDCI). He is the brother of Charles Konan Banny
Charles Konan Banny
Charles Konan Banny was Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire from 7 December 2005 until 4 April 2007.Banny joined the Central Bank of West African States in 1976, holding various positions in the Bank over the years. In 1988 he became Special Advisor to the Governor of BCEAO...
, a former Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire.
A lawyer, Banny served as Minister of Defense for Côte d'Ivoire from its independence in 1960 to 1963. In 1963, he was arrested, tried, and sentenced to death on charges of participating in President Félix Houphouët-Boigny
Félix Houphouët-Boigny
Félix Houphouët-Boigny , affectionately called Papa Houphouët or Le Vieux, was the first President of Côte d'Ivoire. Originally a village chief, he worked as a doctor, an administrator of a plantation, and a union leader, before being elected to the French Parliament and serving in a number of...
's "complot du chat noir" (black cat conspiracy). Meanwhile, his office was transferred to Kouadio M'Bahia Blé whose ministership lasted more than 17 years. There was discontent in the army, as the generals stirred following his arrest and Houphouët-Boigny had to intervene personally to sedate the army.
Banny, who personally knew Houphouët-Boigny from childhood, was pardoned and released in 1967. He asked Banny to be the mayor of Yamoussoukro
Yamoussoukro
The District of Yamoussoukro is the official political capital and administrative capital city of Côte d'Ivoire, while the economic capital of the country is Abidjan. As of 2010, it was estimated to have 242,744 inhabitants...
, though Houphouët-Boigny's successor, Henri Konan Bédié
Henri Konan Bédié
Aimé Henri Konan Bédié is an Ivorian politician. He was President of Côte d'Ivoire from 1993 to 1999, and he is currently the President of the Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire - African Democratic Rally .-Biography:...
, appointed Banny as Resident Minister of the capital. The Resident Minister is a member of the Council of Elders of the PDCI, which includes roughly a hundred elders.
He also directs the Société fruitière du Bandama, an industrial company, which produces and exports fruit juice, mainly that of pineapples. The company created the popular drink Cristelor in 1983. Described as a delice d'ananas petillant, French for sparkling pineapple delight, it is popularly called pineapple champagne. Banny claimed the idea "came to [him when he thought] to make a wine from pineapples" and was named after his granddaughter Cristel. He also proposed an alcoholic version of the drink.