Achimota School

Achimota School
Location
Achimota
Accra, Greater Accra, P.O. Box AH 11
Ghana Ghana
Coordinates 05°37′38″N 00°12′49″W / 5.62722°N 0.21361°W / 5.62722; -0.21361
Information
Former names
  • Prince of Wales College
  • Achimota College
School type Secondary co-educational boarding school
Motto Ut Omnes Unum Sint
(That all may be one)
Religious affiliation(s) Non-denominational Christian
Established 1924
Opened 28 January 1927 (1927-01-28)
Founder Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg,
Dr. James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey,
The Reverend Alexander Garden Fraser
Status Active
School board Board of Governors
School district Accra Metropolis
Oversight Ghana Education Service
Chairperson Emmanuel K. Okoh, Chairperson of the Board of Governors
Headteacher Joyce R. Addo
Staff 82 teachers, 137 other staff
Grades Forms 1–3 (10th – 12th grades)
Gender Co-ed (Boys/Girls)
Age range 14 to 18 years
Enrollment ca. 1,000
Education system Senior High School
Language English
Campus Achimota School
Campus size 1,300 acres (525 hectares)
Campus type Residential garden-style Setting
Houses 17
School colour(s) Black and White
         
Song "From Gambaga to Accra"
Nickname Motown
Publication The Achimotan
Endowment Achimota School Endowment Trust
Budget Approx. $1 million annually
Revenue 40% government revenue; 40% boarding, maintenance and other fees; 20% other income, endowments, grants and donations
Alumni AKORA is an Achimotan alumnus with membership in the Old Achimotan Association (OAA)
Address P. O. Box AH 11, Achimota, Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana Ghana
Website www.achimota.edu.gh

Achimota School (formerly Prince of Wales College and School, Achimota, now nicknamed Motown[1][2]), is a co-educational boarding school located at Achimota in Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana. The school was founded in 1924 by Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg, Dr. James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey and the Rev. Alexander (Alec) Garden Fraser. It was formally opened in 1927 by Sir Frederick Guggisberg, then Governor of the British Gold Coast colony. Achimota, modelled on the British public school system, was the first mixed-gender school to be established on the Gold Coast.

The school has educated many African leaders, including Kwame Nkrumah, Edward Akufo-Addo, Jerry John Rawlings, and John Evans Atta Mills all of whom are former Heads of State of Ghana. Former President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama had his primary education there while former Prime Minister of Ghana Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia also taught at Achimota. Also included in its list of African heads of state are Zimbabwe's second president Robert Mugabe[3][4] and Sir Dawda Jawara, first head of state of The Gambia. An alumnus/alumna of Achimota is known as an "Akora".

The motto of the school is Ut Omnes Unum Sint meaning "That all may be one", a reference to the founders' expressed philosophy that starting in the context of school life, black and white, male and female, everyone should integrate and combine synergistically for the good of all. The stylised piano-key design of the Achimota School crest was described by Aggrey at the time: "You can play a tune of sorts on the black keys only; and you can play a tune of sorts on the white keys only; but for perfect harmony, you must use both the black and the white keys".[5]

History

After the First World War, J.K. and the Government of the Gold Coast felt the need for an advanced education. As Guggisberg put it, "In spite of the existence of one or two educational institutions of a secondary nature, the intellectual gap between the African who had completed his education at an English University and the semi-educated African of our primary school is dangerously wide. No one is more ready than I to sympathize with the legitimate aspirations of the African for advancement and for a greater share in the Government of this country, but if we are to help him to do this, if we are to protect the masses from the hasty and ill-conceived schemes of possible local demagogues, we must hasten as rapidly as our means will allow to fill up the gap between the two classes."[6]

Achimota College was therefore established as part of Guggisberg's plan to reform the Gold Coast educational system. In August 1920, Guggisberg met and befriended native-born Dr. James Aggrey who was in the Gold Coast as a member of the Phelps Stokes Fund's African Education Commission. In 1922, as a result of the Phelps-Stokes Commission's 1920 report on education, Guggisberg appointed a committee to review its recommendations for Gold Coast education reform. That committee recommended the establishment of a comprehensive institution at Achimota to provide general secondary education, teacher training and technical education for male students. Achimota College was then conceived, thanks to the effort and support of Chiefs such as Nene Sir Emmanuel Mate Kole, Konor of Manya Krobo; Nana Sir Ofori Atta, Omanhene of Akyem Abuakwa and Nana Amonoo V, Omanhene of Anomabo, as well as prominent statesmen of the time such as the Hon. Dr. Benjamin W. Quartey Quaye Papafio, the Hon. F. V. Nanka-Bruce, both of Accra; the Hon. Thomas Hutton-Mills, Sr. of Accra, the Hon. E. J. P. Brown of Cape Coast, and the Hon. J. E. Casely-Hayford of Sekondi.

The Colonial government meant to carry out its policy to establish an excellent secondary institution where teachers as well as students would be trained. The Legislative Council went on to approve the 1923–24 budget for the establishment of the Prince of Wales College and School, and in March 1924, Guggisberg laid the foundation stone. Rev. Alexander G. Fraser was the first Principal (1924–1935), and Dr. James Aggrey was the first Vice-Principal (1924–1927). Fraser had previously been Principal of Trinity College, Kandy, an elite school in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, and was hailed as the greatest colonial headmaster of his day by the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Aggrey campaigned vigorously for women's education at a time when the idea was not popular, and held the belief that to educate a man was to educate an individual, while educating a woman had more far-reaching benefits to family and community. This led to an increase in the number of places offered to girls by the College.

From 1924 until it opened on 28 January 1927, Guggisberg, Fraser and Aggrey worked together to realise Guggisberg's dream of establishing a first-class co-educational school and college. The University College of the Gold Coast,[7] which is now known as the University of Ghana,[8] had its roots in Achimota College. The University of Ghana holds its annual Aggrey-Fraser-Guggisberg Memorial Lecture series to honour the founders' contributions to education in Ghana. The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) also had its roots in Achimota College's Engineering School.[9]

Achimota, originally known as the Prince of Wales College and School, was formally opened on 28 January 1927 by the then Governor of the Gold Coast, Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg. The guest of honour at the opening ceremony was Edward VIII, the then Prince of Wales, after whom the school was named. As one of the most prestigious institutions of its kind, known for its high academic standards and culture, it trained Pan-Africanist leaders during Sub-Saharan Africa's struggle for independence from colonial powers. From its student body and teaching college emerged many notable African personalities, including several heads of state, politicians, academics, scientists, doctors, lawyers, engineers, educators, architects, diplomats, computer scientists, agriculturists, accountants, artists, business leaders and industrialists. In a 2004 tribute to Akora Adrian Sherwood, a longtime English master at Achimota, the Ghana High Commission in London praised Achimota, quoting the words of the school's founding doctrine, for enabling its graduates "to know the life that is life indeed and go forth from it as living waters to a thirsty land."[10]

Music has always played a very important part in the life of the school. Achimota’s achievements in attaining a high standard in this field led to the establishment of the Ghanaian National Symphony Orchestra and the department of music and performing art education at the University of Education, Winneba. From its inception Achimota placed special emphasis on the value of the use of one's hands in agriculture, technical and vocational. Achimota has concerned itself to set a standard of excellence in whatever field of education that meets the national needs.[11]

Campus life

Setting

"Though set upon a desert hill, may living waters rise in thee. And from thy children wider flow, the rivers of eternity" —quote from school hymn

Achimota School occupies over two square miles (525 hectares) of prime real estate in the middle of the Achimota Forest Reserve in the Accra Metropolitan Area. The school's colonial architecture and planned landscape make it visually pleasing to tour the campus and its wooded countryside-like surroundings. The campus facilities comprise a library, a cadet square, two chapels, one of which is the Aggrey Memorial Chapel; three dining halls, two on the eastern compound and another on the Western campus two gymnasia, the Achimota School Post Office, extensive sports playing fields, a swimming pool,[12] a cricket oval, basketball court, tennis and squash courts, and an arboretum. There are several bungalows on campus for teaching staff members.

A description of Achimota School at its inception is provided below:

"Achimota College, in the Gold Coast seven miles inland from Accra is West Africa's great co-educational boarding school, where 600 West African boys and girls receive as complete an education as European or American children. It is a secondary school, teacher's training college and university rolled into one, and in planning, design and equipment it bears comparison with any educational institution anywhere. Its erection in 1925 cost £660,000 and its maintenance costs are £50,000 annually. It possesses a swimming pool, extensive playing fields, a nature reserve, a demonstration farm and a model village for the college employees. It also has its own hospital, museum, library and printing press. The students live in residential blocks spaced round the grounds, each holding 60 students and divided into 4 dormitories."[13]

Close to the school's central campus are the Achimota Golf Club,[14] the Achimota School Police Station, a staff village for the school's non-teaching employees also called Anumle, a forest reserve, a large farm, and the 45-bed Achimota Hospital, as well as the community surrounding the campus.

Houses

Achimota School has seventeen male and female houses on its Eastern and Western Campuses.

Male houses

  • Fraser House (W) - named after the Rev. Alexander (Alec) Garden Fraser
  • Aggrey House (E) - named after James Kwegyir Aggrey. Aggrey House was the first house on the school campus.
  • Guggisberg House (E) - named after Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg
  • Gyamfi House (E) - named after a former student and member of the Asante royal family. Gyamfi died while a student at Achimota, and one of the consequences of his death was that the Asante Kingdom decided to have its own version of Achimota closer to home, thus was born Prempeh College.
Inauguration of Achimota School,1927
The Administration Block, MCMXXVII, is an iconic edifice of Achimota School. The tower clock, "Big Ben," seen from a distance, is shown against a blue sky.
  • Cadbury House (E) - named after Cadbury
  • Lugard House (E) - named after Lord Lugard, former Governor of Nigeria
  • Livingstone House (E) - named after David Livingstone a Scottish missionary explorer of Africa
  • Kwapong House (W) - named after Professor Alexander Kwapong, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, and Vice Rector of the UN University located in Tokyo ( first African Vice Chancellor of University of Ghana, Legon)

Female houses

  • Kingsley House (E) - named after Mary Kingsley, an English ethnographic and scientific writer and explorer
  • McCarthy House (E) - named after Sir Charles McCarthy, a former Governor of British Forts and Castle in West Africa. (McCarthy House was formerly a male house and an Engineering School)
  • Slessor House (E) - named after Mary Mitchell Slessor, a Scottish missionary in Nigeria
  • Clark House (E) - named after English missionary Mary Clark
  • Ofori-Atta House (W) - named after Susan Ofori-Atta, Ghana's first female medical doctor
  • Baeta-Jiagge House (W) – named after Annie Jiagge, the first woman lawyer and judge in Ghana
  • Stopford House (W) - named in honour of Anglican Bishop and school principal (1941 - 45), Robert Stopford (formerly a male house and later a female house named O.A.A. House )
  • Atta Mills House (E) - named after the late John Evans Atta Mills, former President of the Republic of Ghana
  • Aryee House (E) - named after Joyce Aryee, founder of Salt and Light Ministries

Learning environment

Resuming in 2002, lessons in aspects of Ghanaian culture such as drumming, dancing and woodcarving were revamped in an effort to incorporate more of the national culture into the curriculum. Apart from the academic and intellectual development of its students, the school emphasises practical skills and character training. The school runs on a three-term academic calendar from mid-September to late June.

There are two departments, two designated Schools, and a Home Science Unit responsible for the teaching of the subjects offered.[15] The science and mathematics department teaches courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, agriculture and computer science, while the arts department teaches English language and literature, French, government, history, economics, geography, Christian dogma and social studies. The music school teaches music, trains the Aggrey Chapel Choir and organises music festivals; the art school teaches visual arts; and the home science department teaches home economics, catering, nutrition, life management, housekeeping, bookkeeping and clothing design.

In their first two years, students must take physical education and "religious and moral education" every term, taught by the sports and chaplaincy departments, respectively. Each student takes seven or eight subjects (depending on the programme) during each term of their three years of secondary school; in addition to three or four elective subjects taken by every student in one programme of study, each student must take the four core subjects in mathematics, English language, science and social studies.

The school's three-year programme (nine terms) leads to the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), in any of general sciences, agricultural science, general arts, visual arts and home economics, all administered by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in May of their final year

Principals and heads

Name Tenure of office
The Rev. A. G. Fraser, C.B.E. 1924-35
The Rev. H. M. Grace 1935–41
The Rt. Rev. R. W. Stopford, K.C.V.O., C.B.E. 1941-45
Mr. H. C. Niell 1946-49
Mr. P. G. Rendall 1949-53
Mr. W. E. Winlaw, T.D 1954-59
Dr. D. A. Chapman Nyaho, C.B.E. 1959-63
Dr. I. K. Chinebuah, M.P. 1963-65
Nana Alan P. Rudwick, O.B.E., G.M., 1965-77
The Rev. Canon L. Ankrah 1977-81
Mr. A. A. Dadey 1982-85
Mr. Robert Winston Asiedu 1985-95
Mrs. Charlotte Brew-Graves 1995-02
Mrs. Adelaide Kwami, G.M. 2003-07
Mrs. Beatrice T. Adom 2007-17
Mrs. Joyce R. Addo 2017-

[16][17]

Ties to similar schools

Aggrey Memorial Chapel
  • Trinity College, Kandy, Ceylon now Sri Lanka (founded 1872): One of the founding fathers, Rev. Alexander G. Fraser (headmaster) was principal of Trinity College, Kandy from 1904 to 1924. He was the first principal of Achimota from 1924–1935. Also, Rev. Robert Stopford who headed Trinity College, Kandy from 1935–1941, was principal of Achimota from 1941–1945. The famous Aggrey Memorial Chapel, venue for morning assembly, weekly Sunday services and other important events, was modelled on the open-style architecture of Trinity College Chapel, Kandy. Aggrey Chapel ranks among one of the most popular places in Accra to hold weddings.[18]
  • King's College, Lagos, Nigeria (founded 1909): Achimota and King's College had Inter-College Athletic Competitions during the 1960s and early 1970s.[19] In 2008, Achimota School played host to King's College, Lagos in a four-day exchange programme from Thursday 29 May 2008 to Sunday 1 June 2008. Activities lined up for the programme were hockey, cricket and football (soccer), with a dinner to round the competition off. The games were played at Achimota School's main playing fields. As King's College, Lagos celebrated its Centenary in 2009, Achimota School was invited for a second Achimota School – Kings College Games Conference as part of the anniversary celebrations.[20]

Trivia

School mascot, "Kuziunik"
  • Mascot: The school's mascot is a mythical creature called "Kuziunik" and is represented by a gargoyle-like wooden sculpture. In prior years, there was a tradition known as "Kuziunik's Night". The present location of the Kuziunik is atop a shelf by the east wall of the school library.[19]
  • Publications: Achimota School has two student magazines, "The Achimotan" and the more recent one "The Motowner" both published periodically. Two newsletters also exist on campus: The Blueprint (Originally a publication of Guggisberg House)and The Motown Express.[21]
  • T.A: Achimota School has a Parent-Teacher Association (P.T.A) that was formed during the era of Mr. A. P. Rudwick, Headmaster (1965–1977).[22] The body meets each term to discuss issues pertaining to students' welfare and school development.
  • Ranking: Achimota School ranks among one of Africa's Top 100 High Schools[23] according to a 2003 list compiled by Africa Almanac.
  • Academic Competitions: Achimota School has won the National Science and Math Quiz competition twice (1998 and 2004). Achimota School emerged first runner-up in the 2009 edition of the National Science and Math Quiz.
  • University Leadership: Achimota has also produced a total of about ten vice-chancellors at Ghana's two leading public research universities, University of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST.[22]

Old Achimotan Association

The Old Achimotan Association is the umbrella alumni organisation for past students of Achimota School. The OAA authorises the formation of regional, branch and year groups to carry out its objectives. Members of the OAA are known as "Akoras".

  • History: The OAA was started in 1929 by the first principal of the then Prince of Wales College, Rev. Alec G. Fraser, whose son Sandy Fraser, then a member of Achimota School’s staff, was the first organising secretary. Sandy spent his vacations touring towns and villages where Old Achimotans were working to explain the aims and objectives of the OAA. The OAA’s first annual general meeting was held at the school on 23 December 1930, and then once a year thereafter. The participants spend three or four days on the school’s campus.
  • Constitution: The OAA is governed by a constitution, whose principal objective is "the formation of a bond of union between Old Achimotans and the School to promote the maintenance of their interest in the School and their willingness to assist in its welfare, and to promote the ideals for which Achimota was founded".
  • National Executive Committee: The OAA's affairs and funds are managed by a National Executive Committee. The Committee consists of three officers of the Association, two ex-officio officers, the immediate past President of the Association and eight other members. The National Executive Committee is elected biennially at an Annual General Meeting. The OAA Alumni Office assists the National Executive Committee in its work.[24]

References

  1. ↑ "Achimota School: 15 Successful Ghanaians Who Attended The Legendary College". Ghana News Today | Latest News on BuzzGhana.com. 3 March 2017. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  2. ↑ "Throwback Thursday: Which is the best 'jama' school? Motown or Presec?". www.ghanaweb.com. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  3. ↑ "Robert Mugabe: The Early Years - Global Black History". Global Black History. 17 February 2012. Archived from the original on 9 December 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  4. ↑ Effah, K. "7 big names in Ghana who went to Achimota School". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  5. ↑ Achimota School Capital Campaign, 24 July 2011, Ac2010.org. Accessed 31 August 2011.
  6. ↑ Frederick Gordon Guggisberg, quoted in Stephanie Newell, Literary Culture in Colonial Ghana: How to Play the Game of Life Archived 27 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine., 2002, Manchester University Press, 256 pages, p. 93. ISBN 978-0719062742
  7. ↑ G. F. Daniel, "The universities in Ghana Archived 19 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine.", Commonwealth Universities Year Book 1997–98, Vol.1; December 1996, pp 649–656. Accessed 25 July 2012.
  8. ↑ "Establishment of the University Archived 29 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine.", University of Ghana. Accessed 25 July 2012.
  9. ↑ "Our History Archived 7 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine.", Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUS). Accessed 25 July 2012.
  10. ↑ "Author of English For Modern Africa Dies Archived 27 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine.", 30 January 2004, Ghana High Commission, London. Accessed 25 July 2012.
  11. ↑ Achievements Archived 11 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine., Achimota School. Accessed 25 July 2012.
  12. ↑ "Achimota Swimming Pool". Wikimapia.org. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  13. ↑ "Achimota College, West Africa", Janus Institute of Education collection of photographs, circa 1945, Y3011U/194-225, Cambridge University. Accessed 25 July 2012.
  14. ↑ Achimota Golf Club, Accra, Ghana. Accessed 31 August 2011.
  15. ↑ "Achimota Today". Oldachimotan.net. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  16. ↑ "Principals of Achimota School". Achimota.edu.gh. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  17. ↑ "Janus: Achimota College (A.W.E. Winlaw collection)". Janus.lib.cam.ac.uk. 25 November 1961. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  18. ↑ "Aggrey Memorial Chapel". Wikimapia.org. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  19. 1 2 "OAA 1973". Oaa1973.multiply.com. Archived from the original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  20. ↑ "Achimota Plays Host to King's College, Nigeria". Oldachimotan.net. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  21. ↑ "OAA 1973". Oaa1973.multiply.com. Archived from the original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  22. 1 2 "Nana Alan Rudwick". Ac2010.org. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  23. ↑ "top20highschools". Africaalmanac.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  24. ↑ "Welcome to the Old Achimotan Web SIte". Oldachimotan.net. Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
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