Nestled in the lush hills of Legon, just outside Accra, the University of Ghana isn’t just the country’s oldest and largest university; it’s a living, breathing symbol of academic excellence in West Africa.
Ask anyone who’s walked its leafy campus or sat through a lecture in one of its iconic halls, and they’ll tell you: Legon is more than a university. It’s a place where ideas bloom, futures are shaped, and history continues to unfold.
Legon’s Proud Beginning
The University of Ghana was established in 1948 as the University College of the Gold Coast. At the time, it was an affiliate of the University of London, created to provide higher education to the people of the then British colony.
Ghana, still under colonial rule, had long needed a place where its citizens could be trained in leadership, science, the arts, and public service.
But even in those early days, the dream was bigger than being just a colonial outpost of British education. The university quickly grew into a proud national institution, and in 1961—after Ghana had won independence—it gained full university status and its current name.
How the Campus Feels Like
If you’ve never been to Legon, picture this: wide roads shaded by ancient trees, stately colonial-style buildings with red-tiled roofs, and a calm that’s rare in a city like Accra.
The Balme Library, the central library of the university, is not just a hub for students, it’s one of the most serene and respected study spaces in the country.
And then there’s the Great Hall, where all the major university events, ceremonies, and public lectures happen. What they won’t tell you is how far it is to walk up that hill. But it is an exciting trip.
It’s hard not to feel inspired in that space, with its towering columns and echoes of decades of speeches, debates, and applause.
University Academics
Today, the University of Ghana boasts a wide range of academic programs, over 100 undergraduate and graduate offerings across humanities, sciences, business, education, law, and health sciences.
UG, Legon is particularly strong in research, with several institutes dedicated to tackling real-world problems. From malaria research to climate studies, its work resonates far beyond Ghana’s borders.
There are also international collaborations with universities in the United States, the UK, Germany, and beyond. So it’s not uncommon to see students from all over the world strolling through campus, working on group projects, or grabbing a bite at Bush Canteen.
Notable Alumni of The University of Ghana
It’s no exaggeration to say that the University of Ghana has shaped the minds of some of the most influential people in the country and the continent. From presidents like the late John Atta Mills, to renowned playwrights like Ama Ata Aidoo, to economists, diplomats, doctors, and media personalities, Legon’s impact stretches far and wide.
And that’s not to mention the many quiet achievers: the teachers, civil servants, engineers, and entrepreneurs who are making a difference in their communities every day.
In recent years, the University has been pushing digital transformation, expanding distance learning, and investing in entrepreneurship initiatives for students.
Vice-Chancellors come and go, but the heart of the university, the students and staff, continues to beat strongly.
