Stories and facts

John Mensah Sarbah was born on June 3, 1864, in Anomabu, Gold Coast (now Ghana), into a family deeply involved in trade and governance.

He was educated at Cape Coast Wesleyan School and Queen's College in England, becoming the first African from his country to qualify as a barrister at Lincoln's Inn in 1887.

In 1897, Sarbah co-founded the Aborigines' Rights Protection Society, opposing colonial rule. He was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1901 and 1906, significantly shaping the Gold Coast's politics.

Sarbah received the Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG) in 1910 but died later that year.

He championed education, establishing scholarships and supporting initiatives to improve educational facilities.

Married to Marion Wood in 1904, Sarbah had three children. He founded scholarships, including the Dutton Sarbah Scholarship, and contributed to educational initiatives like the Fanti Public Schools Limited and the Fanti National Education Fund.

Explore the life of John Mensah Sarbah below.