Accra Academy marks 95th anniversary with pilgrimage to historic founding site

Accra Academy has marked its 95th anniversary with a walk from its current campus to James Town, where the school was founded in 1931.

The pilgrimage, held every five years, was organised as part of activities marking the school’s 95th anniversary and was intended to honour its humble beginnings.

Accra Academy was founded on July 20, 1931, in a rented one-storey building known as Ellen House.

More than 1,000 students, alumni and staff participated in the 3-hour-30-minute walk on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

The walk began at the school’s South Gate and passed through the Dr Busia Highway, Oblogo Road, Eduardo Mondlane Road, Guggisberg Avenue and Hansen Road before reaching Ankrah Lane, where Ellen House is located.

Ahead of the pilgrimage, Ellen House and the adjoining Claremont House, which became Accra Academy’s first boarding house, were repainted and renovated.

The work was sponsored by the Bleoo Legacy Fund, led by Emmanuel Bruce-Attah, with support from its patrons, Dr Edward Nartey Botchway and Kojo Addae-Mensah. Other contributors included Rodger Allotey and Dr Isaac Bampoe Addo.

At Ellen House, the organising secretary of the Accra Academy Old Boys Association, Alfred Mills, recounted the history of the school and its founding.

The Board Chairman, Justice Dotse, congratulated the students for completing the walk and paid tribute to the school’s founders for establishing the institution despite its humble beginnings.

He urged the students to learn from the founders’ commitment and take their studies seriously to become responsible citizens.

Headmaster Eric Ebo Sey also challenged the students to consider the legacy they would leave behind after completing their education at Accra Academy.

He noted that the school’s founders were all below the age of 30 when they conceived the vision that eventually became the institution.

“What are you also going to leave after passing through Accra Academy?” he asked the students.

Mr Sey urged them to protect the reputation of the school by making positive contributions and avoiding behaviour that could bring the institution into disrepute.

“Remember that whenever we mention Accra Academy, we talk about what? Our pride. Live that vision,” he said.

The ceremony included traditional prayers by Samuel Nii Arde Tagoe of the Bleoo '99 year group and Christian prayers led by the school chaplain, Pastor Eric Marfo.

The oldest alumnus present was Captain (Rtd) Ebenezer William Nii Amaa Amarteifio of the Bleoo '60 year group. He was among the last students to complete their education at Ellen House before the school moved to Bubiashie in September 1961.

He is also the nephew of Dr K.G. Konuah, one of the co-founders of Accra Academy.

The ceremony ended with the singing of the school song and anthem, accompanied by the school’s brass band and cheers of “Accra Aca Bleoo”.

Homecoming

The anniversary activities continued with a homecoming event at the school’s Bubiashie campus.

The Chairman of the anniversary planning committee, Rodger Allotey of the Bleoo '81 year group, welcomed alumni and acknowledged the contributions of the planning committee, school management and sponsors.

Chairman of the Fundraising Sub-Committee, Dr Ishmael Dodoo, appealed to old boys to support the school’s centenary project, which includes the construction of staff flats and renovation of the K.G. Konuah Assembly Hall.

The homecoming featured a roll call of year groups, donations to the school and musical performances by the Clossag band.

The event was livestreamed by Clog TV, allowing alumni outside Ghana to participate.

The celebrations ended with a six-minute fireworks display at the school’s Bubiashie campus.

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