Ghana National College, an esteemed secondary school in Cape Coast, Ghana, was established on Friday, July 16, 1948. Its founding coincided with a period of heightened agitation for self-government in the then Gold Coast. The college's history is deeply intertwined with the vision of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first president, and the broader movement for independence.
The significance of naming the college and the nation after the ancient Sudanese empire of Ghana is profound. The ancient Ghana Empire was renowned for its power, prosperity, and fame. The establishment of Ghana National College in 1948, nine years before Ghana's independence and before Dr. Nkrumah became Prime Minister, clearly demonstrates Dr. Nkrumah's foresight.
It must be put on record that GHANA NATIONAL COLLEGE was a model school set up by Dr. Nkrumah to achieve this goal. Immediately after achieving independence, Dr. Nkrumah had planned to turn Ghana into an industrial giant within the shortest possible time.
The Vision of Kwame Nkrumah
Dr. Nkrumah's educational philosophy was significantly influenced by Dr. Kwegyir Aggrey, who had studied in the USA and taught at Achimota College. Inspired by Dr. Aggrey's accomplishments, Dr. Nkrumah pursued his own studies in the USA for ten years. In 1945, he moved to Britain and collaborated with prominent figures like George Padmore and Jomo Kenyatta to organize the 5th Pan African Conference in Manchester.
November 1947 marked a turning point in Dr. Nkrumah's political career when he accepted an invitation from the leaders of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) to serve as the party's General Secretary. However, Dr. Nkrumah soon realized that the UGCC's approach was too slow and conservative for his liking. He advocated for immediate self-government, a stance that resonated with the youth and the general population.
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To Dr. Nkrumah the time was ripe for positive action for immediate self-government. He preached the injustices of the colonial rule and called for SELF-GOVT NOW. This stance found so much favour with the youth and the general masses of people in the colony.
The Events Leading to the College's Founding
The Ex-Servicemen who had survived the 2nd World War and returned home, expected some concrete provision for the disabled who had come home with them, and for the dependents of their colleagues who had died in the war while fighting to defeat racialism. They expected that the freedom they had helped win for the white would be granted their Country too. But the Ex-Servicemen's Welfare March to the Governor on 28th February, 1948 was met with the Christianborg shooting and disturbances which Dr.
Blaming the disturbances on Dr. Nkrumah as Secretary of the UGCC, the then Cold Coast Governor, Sir Gerald Creasy- ordered the arrest of six leaders of the UGCC: Dr. Nkrumah, Dr. J. B. Danquah, Mr. Edward Akuffo-Addo, Mr. William Ofori-Atta, Mr. Obetsebi Lamptey, and Mr. Ako Adjej. To attract the attention of the Governor and elders of the Gold Coast to the general dissatisfaction of the people of Gold Coast with the arrest of the leaders, students in Mfantsipim, Adisadel and St.
On Monday 15TH March 1948, some teachers of St. Augustine's College, Cape Coast got wind of the planned demonstration by that school and Mfantsipim School against the arrest of the UGCC leaders. Early that morning, one teacher was sent by bicycle From St. Augustine's College to a teacher of Mfantsipim to say that the students' protest should be stopped to allow the teachers' time to resort to a nonviolent means. But it appears this message went to Mfantsipim too late.
In May 1948, after 8 weeks of detention the six UGCC leaders were released through the force of public opinion but the other five leaders were very bitter against Dr. On Wednesday 16th June 1948, the Quarshie-Idun Commission headed by Mr. Justice S. O. Quarshie-Idun was appointed by Government to investigate the students' demonstration.
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The commission was charged to recommend the dismissal of guilty students and in the case of teachers, to recommend the rejection of those who were reported to have met with students at any secret meetings before 15th March. The Commission's findings were to be final. Some teachers and many of the students were tried in absentia and the verdicts were arrived at without the Chairman of the commission seeing them.
The results of the Commission's investigations were that, from the Cape Coast boys schools alone, about 150 students were to be dismissed, the majority of them from St. Augustine's College whose Irish Headmaster had become over-enthusiastic with the dismissals. Seven of the affected students from St. Augustine's College had already been entered to sit for the Cambridge School Certificate Examination in December of the same year, 1948. In addition, the commission recommended that the appointment of 3 teachers from St. Augustines and one from Mfantsipim be terminated.
The four tutors from Mfantsipim and St. Augustines, Mr. J.J. Mr. H.P. Nelson, Mr. Kwesi Plange and Lt. Col. (rtd) H.W.A.K. Sackeyfio, played a pivotal role in shaping the college's early years. These teachers were dismissed from their previous positions due to their involvement in a student demonstration protesting the arrest of UGCC leaders.
The 3 teachers from St. (1) Mr. (2) Mr. J.J. (3) Mr. H. The fourth tutor was Mr. H.W. Mfantsipim. from St. Examination.
Dr. Nkrumah, undeterred by setbacks, saw an opportunity to turn misfortune into a blessing. On Thursday 1st July, 1948, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Secretary of the UGCC personally, invited the teachers to his Secretarial Office at Saltpond where they met with him and Mr.Kojo Botsio whom Dr. Kwame Nkrumah had invited from Accra for a discussion of the situation. Dr. Nkrumah rejected the view and advice of his colleagues and directed Mr.
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A couple of days after Mr. Botsio's consultations with the Dept. of Education, the Senior Education Officer, Mr. On Thursday 8th July, 1948 Dr. Nkrumah, on his way from Axim to Saltpond, stopped at the "Chinebua House" at Aboom Wells Road, Cape Coast and handed over to the teachers cash of 10 (ten pounds). The teachers made benches, tables, blackboards, bought some chalk and dusters and hired through the benevolence of Mr. S. C.
| Teacher | Role at Ghana National College | Later Career |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. J.J. Mensah-Kane | Headmaster (1950-1952, 1960-1979) | Head of School after returning from UK, retired from Ghana Education Service |
| Mr. H.P. Nelson | Teacher | Further studies in UK, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs |
| Lt. Col. (rtd) H.W.A.K. Sackeyfio | Teacher | Engineer, Joined the Ghana Army as Civil Engineer |
It must be noted that the four tutors from Mfantsipim and St. Augustines, Mr. J.J. Mr. H.P. Nelson, Mr. Kwesi Plange and Lt. Col. (rtd) H.W.A.K. (1) Mr. (2) Mr. J.J. Mensah-Kane: He was Headmaster of Ghana National College in two spells, from 1950 to1952 and then on his return from UK headed the school from 1960 until 1979 when he compulsorily retired after a pleasant carrier in the Ghana Education Service. (3) Mr. H.P. Nelson: He taught at Ghana National College until 1952, when like his colleague, he left for further studies in the UK. On his return he entered the GHANA Civil Service and rose to be a Principal secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs. (4) Ejected from Mfantsipim School was Lt. Col. (rtd) H.W.A.K. Sackeyfio. He taught at Ghana National College until 1952 from where he obtained appropriate professional qualification as Engineer and joined the Ghana Army as Civil Engineer.
On Friday l6th July, 1948, 16 boys and 1 girl were enrolled at MacCarthy Hill and the first official lessons were given. The first 17 students admitted to Ghana National College turned out to be a roll call of honor list later in life.
The first formal lesson to be started at MacCarthy Hill was on Monday 19th July, 1948. On Tuesday 20th July 1948 Dr. Kwame Nkrumah delivered an address to inaugurate the new school.
Two of the highly inspirational and prophetic paragraphs of the address are quoted as follows: "In spite of the humble conditions, under which we have started, I bring you a message of hope and inspiration. "I look forward to the time when there will be a chain of Ghana Colleges in all the four territories which make up the Gold Coast leading to the founding of a very high institution in this country.
Dr. Nkrumah named the new school "Ghana National College" and he gave the name Ghana to the Gold Cost nine years later. He directed that the school's motto be "Pro Patria" which freely translated to mean "For the honour and glory of our fatherland" and the Coat-of-Arms be represented by the map of Africa immersed in the rays of the sun.
Early Years and Growth
Early 1949, Mr. "Lodge" and the bedroom of the temple-keeper for classrooms. day watchman at the local UAC supermarket just down the hill. held in his bedroom while he was on a day duty at the UAC. Mrs. Charlotte Bart-Plange, mother of Kwesi Plange, member of the school's board of Governors from 1951 to 1972 put her nearby sitting room (20 yards away) at the disposal of the school for use as office and for meeting parents.
On Tuesday 22nd November 1948, owing to the large number of students, enrolled in the school, the school moved-from MacCarthy Hill to a more spacious accommodation in a dwelling house at Siwdu then owned by Alhaji Ali Baba, a businessman in Cape Coast. The first six months advance rent of 108 (One hundred and eight pounds) having been paid as a donation to the school by Mr.J.E.Hagan, then a businessman in Cape Coast and an ardent admirer of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. In Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's Government Mr.
The building at Siwdu was soon bought over by Dr. C.A. Ackah who reduced the rent to suit the slender finances of the school. Mrs. Hence Ghana National became a mixed school. Mr.
The release of the 1949 Cambridge School Certificate Examination results strengthened the academic stature of the school with all the seven (7) students entered by the school obtaining Grade I Certificates.
On 1st January, 1957, with the rise in the number of students, especially girls, problems with accommodation cropped up. Mrs. Elizabeth Ward-Brew offered, for a nominal rent, her vacant residential complex at Wardbury Gardens at Kakumdu, four miles distance from the Siwdu school. In May 1957, all girls from the Coronation Street Hostel (Mrs. Faustina Daniels) were transferred to Wardbury Gardens. Miss Adelina Bessa-Simons who was the school matron joined the non-teaching staff to live at Wardbury Gardens as matron and Housemistress for the girls. The first female teacher then Miss Stella Maysel Abaka joined the staff and soon relieved the matron as Housemistress at Wardbury Gardens.
In the meantime, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah became Prime Minister of the Gold Coast. From 1949-1952 through out this period Practical Science at Siwdu was taught with a mobile laboratory presented to the school by Miss Eleanor Brown, an American friend of Dr. Kwame Nkrurnah. At Siwdu, as at Wardbury Gardens, Science was taught in the garage and sometimes under trees. Students who were most keen with this kind of teaching turned out to be formidable Scientists or Medical Officers, such as Prof. K.A. Oduro, Dr. L.K.A Derban, Mr. J.K. Benturn-Williams (Engineer), Prof. Osei Manu, Dr. Asare-Berkye, Pro. F.K.A. Allotey and Dr.
In August 1952, Dr. Nkrumah delegated Mr. Mensah-Kane to Sierra Leone to invite Mr. In September 1952, Headmaster J.J. Mensah-Kane and his Assistant Mr. Mr. From 1953-1956, Dr. C.A. Ackah was appointed Headmaster of the school to succeed Mr. The Prime Minister directed Messrs. J.G.Aggrey and Kojo Botsio to choose a site for the construction of the school. In 1956-1960, Mr. Albert Hammond succeeded Dr. C. A.
In October 1957, Mr. J. J. Mensah-Kane returned to Ghana National College from the UK as a member of staff, with the school still at Siwdu and Wardbury Gardens. On Saturday 10th October, 1959, Oguaa Omanhene Nana Kodwo Mbra V in royal style, gave the welcome address at a colorful ceremony held at the Administration block to welcome the Prime Minister Dr. Kwame Nkrumah who then laid the Foundation-Stone of the school. Mr. J.E. Hagan delivered the Vote of thanks. Mr.
In September 1960, Mr. JJ. Mensah-Kane was appointed Assistant Headmaster and was charged with the duty of moving the school from Siwdu and Wardbury Gardens to the village of Mennya Mennwu" which literally means "I did not die after all", but well translated, meant "I have seen my salvation" a concept which fitted in with the long-standing sociological attachment of the school with the people of the village. Meanwhile Mr.
In December 1960, Mrs. Elsie Gyedua Dadzie newly appointed Local Court Magistrate accepted the school's invitation to speak to the girls fortnightly on "young girls and the pressures of the world" and also accepted the school's invitation to be on the Board of Governors. In September 1961, Mr. J.J Mensah-Kane was appointed substantive Headmaster of the school. Sixth Form Science and Art courses were started at Ghana National.
Academic Excellence and Legacy
Over the years, it became clear that the Sixth Form Science course at Ghana National had taken its place in Ghana's education. Ghana National had a big name in science in Ghana for the unfailing brilliance of its Science courses. Up to 1979, on Sunday mornings separate denominational services were held at the school halls for Catholics, Anglicans and Methodists. Non-denominational services were held each Sunday evening for the whole school by special arrangement.
In July 1979, the Headmaster J.J. Mensah-Kane retired. In separate farewell festivities involving students, teaching staff, administrative staff, workers, artisans and kitchen staff and happily by a special arrangement between the outgoing Headmaster and the Ministry of Education, the school headship passed on to one of the school's own products, Mr. Samuel Eduku Cobbold, who took the school into its second phase. It was the wish of the retiring Headmaster that all future Heads of the School be Past Students. The headship of Mr.
From October 1987, Mr. John Gyenfi, one of the students who were moved from Siwdu to "Mennya Mennwu" in 1960 was appointed Headmaster of Ghana National College. This headship was marked by excessively large class sizes and large school population generally; the result being that facilities provided for boys and girls such as dormitories, classrooms, assembly hall, dining hall, dormitory cloakroom facilities and every conceivable aspect of school life deteriorated markedly and with it, academic performance and discipline went down.
The school was established on 20 July 1948 in Cape Coast by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah who became Ghanaâs first president. According to the schoolâs history, Dr. Nkrumah founded the school with his own cash after 8 students from St. Augustineâs College were dismissed following their participation in a protest march held in solidarity with an imprisoned Nkrumah. It is located in Cape Coast and shares boundaries with Aggrey Memorial AME Zion School. Adisadel College is a few metres ahead of the school in the Cape Coast municipality.
Students of national are referred to as Nananom and old Students prefix their names with Nana. Ghana National alumni are seen in the key positions of life both at home and abroad.
In 2014 the college created a Hall of Fame to honour alumni. The first inductees were Francis Allotey, Samuel Sefa-Dedeh, Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, Anthony Annan-Prah, David Taylor, Lee Tandoh-Ocran and Kobby A. Koomson.
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