Achimota School, formerly known as the Prince of Wales College and now affectionately called “Motown,” is one of Ghana’s most prestigious educational institutions.
Founded in 1924 by Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg, Dr. James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey, and Rev. Alec Garden Fraser, the school was modelled after the British public school system and became the first mixed-gender institution on the Gold Coast.
Achimota School is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and leadership development. It has produced many of the nation’s most influential figures, including presidents, business leaders, top-tier entertainers, and other distinguished professionals who have excelled in their respective fields. We’ve put together a list of distinguished Achimota alumni who have made remarkable contributions on a global scale. This list is in no particular order.
Kwame Nkrumah
Kwame Nkrumah was a Ghanaian revolutionary, politician, and the first Prime Minister and President of Ghana. Born on September 21, 1909, in Nkroful, Ghana, he was raised by his mother and extended family. While studying at Achimota School, Nkrumah was introduced to the ideas of Marcus Garvey and W. E. B. Du Bois, which significantly shaped his views on Pan-Africanism. After completing his education at Achimota, Nkrumah furthered his studies in the United States and the United Kingdom, experiences that profoundly influenced his political vision.
Upon his return to Ghana in 1947, Nkrumah became a leading figure in the independence movement, heading the Convention People’s Party (CPP). He served as Prime Minister from 1952 to 1957 and successfully led Ghana to become the first African nation to gain independence from British rule. As President, he pursued policies of rapid industrialization and modernization. Nkrumah was also a founding member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize by the Soviet Union in 1962.
Jerry John Rawlings
Jerry John Rawlings was a Ghanaian military officer and prominent political leader. Born on June 22, 1947, in Accra, Ghana, he was the son of Victoria Agbotui, an Anlo Ewe from Keta, and James Ramsey John, a British chemist. Rawlings attended Achimota School in his teenage years, where he met his future wife, Nana Konadu Agyemang. After completing his education at Achimota, Rawlings joined the Ghana Air Force, where he rose to the rank of flight lieutenant in April 1978.
Disturbed by the widespread corruption in the country, Rawlings led a coup against the ruling military government. In 1981, he led a second coup and established the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), which governed Ghana for the next decade. In 1992, Rawlings transitioned Ghana into a multi-party democracy and was elected the first president of the Fourth Republic. He was re-elected in 1996 and served until 2001, when he peacefully handed over power. Rawlings is widely credited with stabilizing Ghana during a period of economic crisis by implementing reforms that helped revive the country’s economy.
Dag Heward-Mills
Dag Heward-Mills is a healing evangelist, best selling Christian author, international conference speaker, and pastor of one of the largest churches in the world. Born on May 14, 1963, to a Swiss mother, Elizabeth, and a Ghanaian father, Nathaniel Heward-Mills, he gave his life to Christ during his years at Achimota School, where he developed his deep passion for the Lord. While studying medicine at the University of Ghana Medical School, he founded Lighthouse Chapel International. What started in a small classroom has grown into one of the largest churches globally, with nearly 4,000 branches in over 90 countries.
Heward-Mills is also a globally recognized healing evangelist, having led over 15 million people to Christ through the Healing Jesus Campaign. As a prolific author, his bestselling books have had a significant impact on Christians worldwide. He has been welcomed by presidents, chiefs, and leaders of various nations, many of whom he has personally led to Christ. Dag Heward-Mills is highly regarded for his straightforward and relatable teaching and writing style.
John Evans Attah-Mills
John Evans Atta Mills was a Ghanaian politician, academic, and the third President of Ghana. Born on July 21, 1944, to John Atta Mills Sr., an educationist, and Mercy Dawson Amoa, Mills began his early education at Huni Valley Methodist Primary School and Komenda Methodist Middle School. He then attended Achimota School, where he completed his Ordinary and Advanced Level certificates. Mills went on to the University of Ghana, Legon, where he earned a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree and a professional law certificate in 1967. He furthered his studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science, obtaining an LLM in 1968, and later earned a PhD in Law from the School of Oriental and African Studies.
Following his academic achievements, Mills served as a law professor at the University of Ghana. Before entering full-time politics, he held the position of Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service in Ghana and served as Vice President under President Jerry John Rawlings from 1997 to 2001. In 2008, Mills won the presidential election as the candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), becoming the President of Ghana in 2009.
His presidency was characterized by a strong focus on economic growth, social justice, and national unity. Under his leadership, Ghana emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
Joyce Rosalind Aryee
Joyce Rosalind Aryee is a distinguished Ghanaian public figure, educator and former politician. She was born on the 27th of March 1946 to a fante mother and Ga father. Joyce Rosalind is the second of four children. She went to Achimota school and graduated in 1969 from the University of Ghana, Legon with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. From 2001 to 20011 she served as the chief executive officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines. She was recognized as the first woman in Africa to hold such a position. She was nicknamed “the Iron Lady” for revolutionizing the mining sector to become more transparent and socially responsible. She also served as a cabinet minister in Ghana’s government under the provisional national defense council (PNDC). She also founded the Salt and Light ministries, a christian ministry dedicated to mentoring the spiritual growth of many in the country. Joyce Aryee’s exceptional contributions have earned her numerous accolades and she remains an influential voice in Ghana’s corporate and spiritual communities
Patrick Awuah jr.
Patrick Awuah Jr. is a Ghanaian engineer, educator, and entrepreneur, best known as the founder of Ashesi University, one of Africa’s leading educational institutions. Born in 1965 in Accra, Ghana, Awuah moved to the United States in 1985 on a full scholarship to Swarthmore College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Engineering and Economics. He later obtained a master’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
Awuah began his career at Microsoft as a software engineer, contributing to the development of groundbreaking products such as Microsoft Excel. In 1997, he returned to Ghana with a vision to transform higher education. Recognizing that one of the nation’s key challenges was leadership, he and his colleagues founded Ashesi University with the goal of developing entrepreneurial leaders who would drive positive change across Africa.
For his visionary leadership, Awuah has earned numerous accolades, including being named a MacArthur Fellow in 2015.
Theodosia Salome Okoh
Theodosia Okoh was a celebrated Ghanaian artist, teacher, and sports administrator, best known for designing the national flag of Ghana. Born on June 13, 1922, in Wenchi, Ghana, to Reverend Emmanuel Victor and Madam Dora Asihene, she was the fourth of eight children. She received three years of fine arts training at Achimota School.
When Ghana gained independence from British rule, Theodosia submitted her design in response to a call for a new national flag. Her design was chosen and adopted by President Kwame Nkrumah. The green in the flag represents Ghana’s rich agricultural landscape, the gold symbolizes the country’s wealth in natural resources, and the red honors those who sacrificed their lives for independence. The black star stands as a symbol of African emancipation and unity in the fight against colonialism.
The achievements of these remarkable men and women should inspire us all to dream boldly and pursue those dreams with unwavering determination. Their success was built on sacrifice and dedication to their visions, and they have paved the way for future generations to rise and excel. Let their legacy remind us that with hard work and commitment, we too can achieve greatness and make a lasting impact.
