Could it be that the echoes of history still linger within these very walls? We are standing before The Older Great Hall, a testament to the enduring spirit of the Ashanti people and a beacon of knowledge on the sprawling campus of KNUST. This hall, you see, wasn’t part of the original plan. James Cubitt, the mastermind behind KNUST’s early design, had envisioned a grand ceremonial road leading to this very spot. However, it remained vacant for years, awaiting its grand destiny.
In the late 1950s, the need for a space worthy of grand academic ceremonies became undeniable. The vision? A magnificent assembly hall fit for graduations and momentous occasions, alongside a university chapel. This quadrangle, overlooking the campus, would need to be nothing short of breathtaking.
The task fell upon the capable hands of architects Gerlach and Gillies-Reyburn. Their meticulous studies ensured that the new structures would be visible as one ascended the hill, with a towering campanile acting as a beacon. While their initial proposal, which included a 1600-seat auditorium and a 700-seat theatre, was later scaled back, the grandeur remained undiminished. The Older Great Hall, with its distinctive heavy concrete mass and dramatic staircases, stands as a proud symbol of their vision. The hall’s covered ante space, open to all sides, is an architectural marvel in its own right, inviting us to step in and experience the weight of history and knowledge that permeates these grounds.