Question: Ever wondered how Accra Academy earned the nickname Little Legon? Accra Academy stands as a beacon of academic excellence. It is located in Bubuashie near Kaneshie in the Greater Accra Region.
Accra Academy’s story began in 1931. Four young men founded it. They were Kofi George Konuah, Samuel Neils Awuletey, Gottfried Narku Alema, and James Akwei Halm-Addo. Their vision was to provide quality education to the underprivileged. The school started in Mantse Agbonaa, a suburb of James Town in Accra. It was housed in Ellen House. Ellen Buckle, the widow of Vidal J Buckle, leased the building.
Initially, Accra Academy had only 19 students. These students spanned Forms 1 through 3. The founders and two others formed the teaching staff. These were Mr MF Dei-Anang and Mr SS Sackey. In December 1932, ten students took the Junior Cambridge School Certificate Examination. Seven passed.
By 1935, Accra Academy had 469 students. It stood out as a well-organized institution. The 1938-39 report praised it as well-funded and effectively managed. In 1939, 42 out of 45 students passed the Senior Cambridge School Certificate Examination. Ten got exemptions from the London Matriculation Examination.
Accra Academy became a Government Assisted School on January 1, 1950. Before this, in 1935, it began providing accommodation in Claremont House. This building was next to Ellen House.
In 1956, Mr JA Halm-Addo lobbied the government. This resulted in a 37-acre plot in Bubuashie being offered for relocation. Barnes, Hubbard & Arundel designed the first buildings. J Monta & Sons got the development contract in October 1959. By July 1961, the new site was ready.
The official opening ceremony was on February 3, 1962. Mr AJ Dowuona-Hammond, Minister for Education and an old student, declared it open. Some students from the Western Region then mistook Accra Academy for the University of Ghana. They reported to Accra Academy due to the similar infrastructures. This is how Accra Academy got the nickname Little Legon.
In 1981, Accra Academy celebrated its golden jubilee. There were 900 students and 52 teachers. In 1990, it became a semi-autonomous educational institution.
Accra Academy offers courses in business, general science, general arts, agricultural science, and visual arts. These courses lead to the West African Senior School Certificate. The school has a vision of Quality Education for Life. It also values Selfless Service based on Truth, Hardwork, and Honesty. Its mission is to develop a Model School of Excellence. Accra Academy instills virtues of Truth, Honesty, Selfless Service, Hardwork, Critical Thinking, and Problem-Solving Skills.
Accra Academy has a remarkable legacy. In 2003, it was ranked the 8th best high school in Africa. It has produced successive Chief Justices of Ghana. It is the first school to produce both a head of state and a deputy head of state in the same government. Asamoah Gyan, an alumnus, funded Ghana’s first school-based astro turf football pitch.
The motto of Accra Academy is Esse Quam Videri. This Latin phrase translates to To be, rather than to seem. Accra Academy continues to shape future leaders with its commitment to excellence.