From Cape Coast to Lincoln's Inn: Meet Ghana's first lawyer, John Mensah Sarbah

John Mensah Sarbah made history in 1887 when he became the first Ghanaian to be called to the English Bar. By achieving this remarkable feat, he laid the foundation for future generations of Ghanaian lawyers.

Born in 1864 in Cape Coast during the colonial Gold Coast era, Sarbah rose above the challenges of his time through determination and excellence.

After being called to the Bar in 1887, he returned to the Gold Coast and established his own private legal practice.

Meet King Xenodzi: The Ghanaian chief who claims he founded bitcoin

He became disappointed with what he deemed to be injustice and corruption in administration from the British Crown toward the indigenous Gold Coast people and felt that the actions of the colonial system should be taken into consideration.

Mensah Sarbah subsequently collaborated with Joseph Ephraim Casely Hayford in n 1897, JP Brown, JW de Graft Johnson, and others to form the Aborigines’ Rights Protection Society (ARPS)which organised and led opposition against the colonial government, laying the foundation for Ghana's independence.

Beyond law, he also played a key role in promoting secondary education in Ghana and was vocal in the development of his alma mater, Mfantsipim School.

In 1963, a hall of residence at the University of Ghana was named Hall in his honour for his services to education his statue in front of it.

Meet the Ghanaian who became the first to send a ship to US for Blacks to return to Africa

Members of the hall are known as Vikings as a reference to him who is a true Viking for his country.

Here is a brief profile of him

Mensah Sarbah was educated at the Cape Coast Wesleyan School, later renamed by himself, as Mfantsipim School) and then at Queen's College in Taunton, Somerset, England, matriculating in 1884.

He subsequently entered Lincoln's Inn in London to train as a barrister and was called to the English bar in 1887.

In 1904, he married Marion Wood, and the couple had three children.

He was honoured with the Order of St Michael and St George in 1910 and passed away a few months later that same year at the age of 46.

JKB/EB

Meanwhile, catch the highlights of Sarkodie x Shatta Wale's epic performance at Rapperholic Homecoming on GhanaWeb TV below: