Dr.James Emman Kodwo Mensa Otwiwadu Humamfunsam Kwegyir Aggrey widely touted as "The Father of African Education" was born at Anomabo on October 18, 1875 to Kodwo Kyegyir and Abena Andua.
At age nine, he envisioned the liberation, education and prosperity of Africa in his words " I will be a spokesman for my country and for Africa and mine Africa."
Having acquitted himself creditably after attending Mfantsipim Senior High School birthed on April 3, 1876 for his secondary education, he was one of the twenty students selected to attend a boarding school established at Cape Coast by resident missionary Reverend Dennis Kemp.
The practical experience he gained in teaching influenced his decision to become a tutor.
His teaching profession began at Abura Dunkwa, twenty miles from Cape Coast.
After a year, he returned to Cape Coast and assumed office as the Assistant Headmaster and later Headmaster of Wesleyan Centenary Memorial School.
Developing an ambition to study abroad, he left for the United States in 1898 under sponsorship by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and enrolled at Livingston College in Salisbury, North Carolina.
He majored in English Literature, Mathematics, German, Theology, Philosophy, Astronomy, Modern History, Surveying and Navigation.
In 1902, he topped his class and also distinguished himself by delivering the first Greek oration in the College.
By dint of diligence, he bagged Master of Arts in 1912 and later earned a Doctorate degree in Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary.
Following the untimely demise of one of his professors, he took up the position of Registrar and Financial Secretary.
The illustrious Gold Coaster also lectured in New Testament Greek, Exegesis, Christian Sociology and Economics at Hood Theological Seminary.
The man of letters later enrolled at Columbia University and passed all examinations required for proceeding to the Doctor of Philosophy degree.
The proud son of Africa is fondly remembered for his influence on education on the in Africa as a member of the Phelps-Stokes Commission in 1920 but more especially for the establishment of Achimota Senior High School in conjunction with Governor Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg and Reverend Alexander Garden Fraser on January 28, 1927.
He also designed the school 's emblem.
After the founding of Achimota School, he left for the United States with a view to writing a book but died on July 30, 1927 shortly after his rival.
Mourned by Africa, Europe and America his powerful speeches on various issues such as education of the girl child, the black and white keys of the piano and the story of the eaglet found among chickens will forever be remembered.
.jpg)
His name is perpetuated in the memory of Aggrey Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Senior High School birthed on January 22, 1940 by Reverend Dr. Augustus Wilfred Ebow Appiah.