Basic 5 · History · Some Selected Individuals
Ghanaians Who Made a Difference: Education and Science
In this topic you will learn about Ghanaians who made important contributions in education, science and international service.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Name Ghanaians who contributed to education and science
- Describe their achievements
- Explain how their work helps Ghana and the world
What you already know
- Leaders and freedom fighters
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- My Country Ghana
- Sub-strand
- Some Selected Individuals
- Indicator
- B5.2.5.1.1 – Name Ghanaians who have made significant, Contribution locally and internationally
Introduction
Some Ghanaians changed the world not with guns but with books, ideas and inventions. Their work in schools, laboratories and international organisations brought honour to Ghana.
1. Dr James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey
Dr J.E.K. Aggrey was born in Anomabo in 1875. He studied in the United States and became a famous teacher. He believed strongly in education for girls and is remembered for the saying: "If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a family (nation)." He also used the keys of a piano to teach that black and white must work together, just as both black and white keys are needed to play good music. He helped to found Achimota College, which opened in 1927.
2. Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan was born in Kumasi in 1938. He worked for the United Nations for many years and became its seventh Secretary-General, serving from 1997 to 2006. He was the first black African to hold this post. He worked for peace, human rights and the fight against HIV/AIDS. In 2001, he and the United Nations jointly received the Nobel Peace Prize. The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra is named after him.
3. Scientists and Innovators
| Person | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Dr Thomas Mensah | engineer and inventor whose work helped develop fibre-optic cables used for fast internet |
| Prof. Francis Allotey | mathematical physicist known for the "Allotey Formalism"; promoted science in Africa |
| Prof. Alexander Kwapong | first Ghanaian Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana |
4. Lessons from Their Lives
These people worked hard at school, believed in themselves and used their knowledge to help others. They show that a child from any town in Ghana can become a world leader. Education opens doors, but it must be used to serve the community and the world.
Remember: Aggrey: "Educate a woman, and you educate a nation."
New words
- education
- Learning knowledge and skills.
- Secretary-General
- The head of the United Nations.
- Nobel Peace Prize
- A world award for work for peace.
- scientist
- A person who studies the natural world.
- inventor
- A person who creates something new.
- Vice-Chancellor
- The head of a university.
Summary
- Dr Aggrey promoted education for girls and helped found Achimota College.
- Kofi Annan led the United Nations and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001.
- Ghanaian scientists such as Thomas Mensah and Francis Allotey contributed to world knowledge.
- Education should be used to serve others.
Class activity: Quote Posters
- Choose a saying or idea from one of these Ghanaians.
- Make a poster with the quote and a picture.
- Explain what it means to the class.
You need: Portrait cards of notable Ghanaians, Ghana map, Exercise books
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Who was the seventh UN Secretary-General?
- A. Kofi Annan
- B. Kwame Nkrumah
- C. J.E.K. Aggrey
- D. Yaa Asantewaa
Show answer
Answer: Kofi AnnanHe served 1997–2006.2. Dr Aggrey used piano keys to teach…
- A. black and white should work together
- B. music only
- C. mathematics
- D. farming
Show answer
Answer: black and white should work togetherBoth keys are needed for good music.3. Which school did Aggrey help to found?
- A. Achimota College
- B. Mfantsipim
- C. Prempeh College
- D. Wesley Girls
Show answer
Answer: Achimota CollegeOpened in 1927.4. Kofi Annan won the Nobel Peace Prize.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueIn 2001.5. Dr Aggrey was born in Kumasi.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseHe was born in Anomabo.6. Thomas Mensah's work helped develop ______ cables.
Show answer
Answer: fibre-opticUsed for fast internet.7. State Aggrey's famous saying about educating women.
Show answer
Answer: "If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a family (nation)."About girls' education.8. How did Kofi Annan bring honour to Ghana?
Show answer
Answer: As the first black African UN Secretary-General he worked for world peace and won the Nobel Peace Prize.International contribution.
Homework
- Find out about one person from your district who has contributed to education. Write about them.