Jonah was born on the 19th of November 1949 in Obuasi, a gold mining town in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.  He was educated at Adisadel College in Cape Coast and received an Associateship in Mining Engineering at the Camborne School of Mines, also graduating from the Imperial College of Science and Technology with a MSc. in Mine Management.

He started his working career with Ashanti Goldfields as a mine trainee in 1970 and eventually become CEO of the company in 1986.  In 1999, he was made the Executive President of Anglo Gold Ashanti, a global gold mining company.

Jonah is on the board of several companies and has been involved in a range of philanthropic and civic work.  A successful businessman, Jonah has been awarded for his immense contribution to society and business.  He received the Order of the Star of Ghana, and the African Business Leader of the Year from the Commonwealth Business Council.

In addition, Jonah has received an honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) from the Camborne School of Mines and the University of Exter in the United Kingdom.

He was the first Ghanaian to be knighted in the 21st century when he received his honorary knighthood (KB) from the Prince of Wales, now King Charles II.  This was to recognize his immense contributions as an African businessman, an international public figure and leading business executive from the Commonwealth.