Education in Ghana has deep historical roots, shaped by colonial influences and missionary efforts. European settlers and missionaries established some of Ghana’s oldest and most prestigious schools.
Before the arrival of Europeans in Ghana, the people of Gold Coast (now Ghana) practiced informal education based on culture, traditions, and customs. Knowledge and skills were passed from one generation to the next through family, leaders, and elders in the community. Formal education in Ghana was introduced by Europeans to integrate the people of the Gold Coast into their society and to develop a literate workforce that could read, write, and live a Christian way of life. This led to the establishment of schools and colleges in Gold Coast.
These schools, built by Europeans during the colonial and pre-colonial eras, have laid a solid foundation for Ghana’s modern education system. Their emphasis on Christian ethics, discipline, and literacy has influenced many generations of Ghanaians. Today, they remain landmarks of historical and educational significance.
Interestingly, schools built by the Europeans in Ghana remain the top secondary schools in Ghana. Below is a comprehensive list of schools in Ghana built by Europeans, their founding years, and the Europeans who built them.
1. Castle Schools
Castle schools were established in the early 1700s by European merchants, predominantly the Dutch and Danes. The Portuguese, Dutch, Danish, and British established schools in castles, including Elmina Castle, Osu Castle, and Cape Coast Castle. The Portuguese encouraged the teaching of reading, writing, and Catholicism at Elmina Castle in 1529
Castle schools were initially established in Elmina and Cape Coast castles. They primarily educated the children of European settlers and the local elite. Subjects included reading, writing, and basic arithmetic.
The most prominent Castle Schools on the Gold Coast included the Dutch-operated school at the former Portuguese fortress in Elmina, the British school at Cape Coast Castle, and the Danish school at Christiansborg near Accra. During the late 18th century and throughout the 19th century, these schools provided education to the children of affluent African merchants along the coast and the relatives of influential local chiefs.
2. Philip Quaque Boys’ School
Philip Quaque Boys’ School is the first formal elementary school in Ghana which was initially set up in the founder Rev. Philip Quaque’s (Anglican Church British missionary) house in 1765. Former speaker of parliament, Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes and Osabarima Kwesi Atta are former notable alumni of the school.
The school was located in Cape Coast and was the first formal school in Ghana. Rev. Quaque, a Fante priest educated in England, aimed to train local children and spread Christian values.
3. Basel Mission Schools
Basel, Bremen, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic Missionaries established schools in the 1830s. These schools were located in coastal towns and inland at Akropong. Missionaries taught English grammar, catechism, arithmetic, Bible studies, and European history and geography
The Basel missionaries built the Presbyterian College of Education at Akropong in 1838, where they trained teachers. These missionaries also published an elementary grammar book and a dictionary in the local Akan language.
Basel Missionaries (Swiss and German missionaries) established schools in 1835. The Basel Mission established schools in the Gold Coast to promote Christianity and vocational skills. Key towns included Akropong and Osu. Akropong Presbyterian Primary and Middle School were among the prominent ones.
By the 1850s, the Basel missionaries had boarding schools at Christiansborg and on the Akuapem Ridge, including a girls’ school in Aburi. At their school in Akropong, they trained teachers, used the schools to spread Christianity, and created a basic grammar book and dictionary in the local Akan language.
4. Wesleyan Mission Schools
Methodist Missionaries (British) established Wesleyan Mission Schools in 1836. These schools were located in Cape Coast and later spread across the southern parts of Ghana. They aimed to educate local children in Christian principles, literacy, and numeracy.
The Wesleyan missionaries (Methodists) built the first Wesleyan school at the Cape Coast Castle in 1835. Nine Wesleyan mission schools had been opened by 1841—six for boys and three for girls.
5. Mfantsipim School
Mfantsipim School was established in 1876 by the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society (British).
Originally called the Wesleyan High School, Mfantsipim in Cape Coast is the oldest secondary school in Ghana. It aimed to educate young men to take up leadership roles in society.
6. Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC)
Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC) was established in 1938 by Basel Missionaries (Swiss and German missionaries)
Originally located in Odumase-Krobo, the school was later relocated to Legon, Accra. It was built to provide higher education for boys under strong Christian values.
7. Achimota School
Achimota School was established in 1927 by Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg (British Governor), Dr. James Kwegyir Aggrey (Gold Coaster), and Rev. Alexander Fraser (British missionary)
Achimota School, initially named Prince of Wales College and School, was a groundbreaking institution aimed at providing co-education and fostering leadership among students.
8. Adisadel College
Adisadel College was established in 1910 by the Anglican Church (British missionaries)
Established in Cape Coast as the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel Grammar School, it later became Adisadel College. It remains one of the most prestigious schools in Ghana.
9. St. Augustine’s College
St. Augustine’s College was established in 1930 by Roman Catholic Missionaries (French and Irish missionaries)
Founded in Cape Coast, the college was established to train Catholic teachers and leaders, promoting education alongside spiritual values.
10. Bishop Girls’ School
Bishop Girls’ School was established in 1886 by the Anglican Church (British missionaries)
Located in Cape Coast, this was among the first schools dedicated to educating girls in the Gold Coast, focusing on both academic and moral education.
11. St. Peter’s Mission School
St. Peter’s Mission School was established in 1909 by Roman Catholic Missionaries (German and Irish missionaries)
Located in Kwahu-Nkwatia, it provided quality education to boys in the eastern parts of the Gold Coast.
12. Aburi Girls SHS
Aburi Girls Senior High School was established as a secondary school for girls in 1946. However, its origin dates back to 1852 when it was established as a primary school for girls by the Bassel Mission in Aburi Town. A senior girls’ school was added in 1916 to the junior girls’ school.
It became a teacher-training school in 1946 run by Scottish Missionaries who also established the first kindergarten class in 1925. On the 31st of January 1946, a grammar secondary school for girls was introduced with seven carefully selected girls, side by side with the teacher training course.
When the Basel and Scottish Mission left, the Presbyterian Church took over the school’s management. The foundation stone for the construction of the new buildings for the secondary school was laid by Lady Arden Clarke, wife of the Governor of the Gold Coast on 8th November 1952.
13. Aggrey Memorial Zion School
Aggrey Memorial Zion School was established in 1940 by Rev. A.W. Cardinal, a European missionary of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. The school, located in Cape Coast, was named after Dr. James Kwegyir Aggrey, a prominent Ghanaian educator and advocate for education and racial equality.
The school aimed to provide quality secondary education to young Ghanaians, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds while promoting Christian values. Over the years, the school has become a symbol of academic excellence and character development in Ghana.
14. Holy Child School
Holy Child School, also located in Cape Coast, was established in 1946 by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, a European Catholic missionary group. The school was founded to provide quality education for girls while instilling Catholic values of discipline, morality, and service to society.
Holy Child School has consistently produced academically and socially well-rounded young women, significantly shaping female leadership in Ghana.
15. Prempeh College
Prempeh College was established in 1949 in Kumasi by collaborating with the Asantehene Prempeh II, the British Colonial Government, and the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches.
The college was named after the Asantehene to honor his contributions to education. Prempeh College aimed to provide secondary education for boys in the Ashanti Region, combining academic rigor with strong Christian values. Since its inception, the school has been recognized as one of Ghana’s leading institutions for producing scholars and leaders.
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