The Presbyterian College of Education (PCE), Akropong, formerly known as the Presbyterian Training College (PTC), was established in 1848 by the Basel Evangelical Society. It is the first institution of higher learning in Ghana and the second in West Africa, following Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone.
The Basel Evangelical Society, as part of its mission, saw the need to establish schools to educate the indigenous people. This led to the establishment of the first preparatory school in Akropong, Akuapem, in 1844 by Rev. Andreas Riis. With the growing number of pupils, there was a pressing demand for professionally trained teachers, leading to the establishment of a seminary in 1848 to train catechists and teachers. The primary aim was to provide sound education while instilling moral values and essential skills in teachers.
Graduates of the seminary played a pivotal role in expanding basic education across the Gold Coast. Many students from these schools advanced to become the first attendees of Ghana’s earliest secondary schools. The College later supplied teaching staff for the University College of the Gold Coast now the University of Ghana.
To achieve international eminence in Teacher Education.
Dedicated to producing teachers who are equipped with cutting edge skills in teaching of Science, Mathematics, Technical and Vocational Education.
Harmoniously work with relevant parties, through research and innovation, to resolve challenges and contribute to developing a society that is in pace with the ever-changing world.
Nicknamed “The Mother of Our Schools,” PCE has grown from an institution with just five male students to a thriving co-educational college with over 1,800 students today. Initially an all-male institution, it became co-educational in 1958 with the admission of 17 women during the tenure of Rev. Noel Smith, the last white Principal.
PCE has also been at the forefront of special education in Ghana. In 1945, the College began training visually impaired students. Today, its Special Education Unit trains students with visual, hearing, and physical impairments. It remains the only college in Ghana that educates both visually and hearing-impaired students. The initiative to train students with special needs was pioneered by Principal Douglas Benzies.
PCE has significantly contributed to the development of Ghanaian languages. Missionaries such as Chrysteller, Zimmerman, and Rapp worked on developing the orthography of Twi, Ga, and Ewe. Renowned scholars like C.A. Akrofi and Professor Kobina Nketia, who were products of the College, became icons in Akan literature. It was during the Basel Missionaries’ evangelism that the Bible was translated into Twi.
The missionaries at PCE were the first to introduce cocoa to Ghana, successfully planting and processing cocoa beans into beverages before Tetteh Quarshie traveled to Fernando Po. Quarshie worked for one of the missionaries at PCE, where he likely gained knowledge about cocoa before bringing it back to Ghana.
PCE has produced over 20,000 teachers, who have contributed immensely to Ghana’s education sector. Many of its tutors have gone on to lead newly established training colleges as Principals. Beyond education, its alumni have become lawyers, architects, medical doctors, soldiers, farmers, and national leaders.
