Today in History: The fight that gave Ghana its own university 78 years ago
What if the University of Ghana, Legon, had never been built in Ghana? It sounds almost unbelievable today. The familiar green campus, Balme Library, the various halls, the legendary “Legon” experience and the thousands of graduates who have passed through its gates have become such a fixture of Ghanaian life that it is difficult to […]
In 1948, Ghana's University College of the Gold Coast, later known as the University of Ghana, faced establishment challenges. The British government, through the Elliot Commission, proposed a single university for the entire British West African region, with Ibadan, Nigeria, as the chosen location. However, this plan was rejected by Ghanaian nationalists, including Dr. J.B.
Danquah, Sir Arku Korsa, and Nanka-Bruce. The Asantehene, Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, played a crucial role by convincing the Gold Coast Cocoa Marketing Board to raise £897,000 from cocoa farmers' surplus funds to establish the university. This financial backing compelled the British government to reconsider its position.
The University College initially opened on Achimota College premises before moving to its permanent location, Legon Hills, thanks to David Mowbray Balme, the first Principal. The university's distinctive logo, designed by a Ghanaian, A. M. Opoku, features symbolic elements representing Ghanaian heritage. Over 90 students, including only two women, began their journey at the institution.
Today, the University of Ghana, Legon, boasts over 70,000 students across various disciplines, including basic and applied sciences, education, health sciences, and humanities. The university's growth and evolution reflect the determination of Ghanaian leaders and the unwavering support of its people.
Written by urgent.news from Adom Online's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
