Some senior high schools (SHS) in Ghana have produced many important people, including presidents. But only one SHS has produced three presidents in Ghana’s history. That school is Achimota School.
Achimota School is a well-known boarding school for both boys and girls. It is located in Achimota, a town in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. The school was founded in 1924 by three people, Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg, Dr. James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey, and Reverend Alec Garden Fraser. It was officially opened in 1927 by Sir Gordon Guggisberg, who was then the Governor of the Gold Coast (now Ghana). The school followed the British public school style and was the first to admit both boys and girls in the country.
Achimota School has trained many important African leaders. Some of the past students include Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Edward Akufo-Addo, Jerry John Rawlings, and John Evans Atta Mills, who all became leaders of Ghana. John Dramani Mahama, another former President, also attended primary school at Achimota. In addition, Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, a former Prime Minister of Ghana, once taught at the school.
Here are the three Presidents of Ghana who went to Achimota School:
1. Edward Akufo-Addo
He was born on June 26, 1906, in Dodowa. He went to school in Akropong and later attended Achimota College. He got a scholarship to study in the United Kingdom at Oxford University, where he studied philosophy and politics and graduated with honors.
2. Jerry John Rawlings
He was born on June 22, 1947, in Accra. His mother was from Keta, and his father was a British man. He studied at Achimota School and later trained at a military academy. He met his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman, while at Achimota.
3. John Evans Atta Mills
He had his early education at Huni Valley and Komenda Methodist schools. He later went to Achimota School for secondary education and then to the University of Ghana to study law.