Emira Adoo

A pioneering Ghanaian educator who championed women's access to education and founded the first girls' school in the Volta Region

Emira Adoo (1915-1998) was a visionary educator from Ghana who dedicated her life to expanding educational opportunities for girls in rural West Africa. Born in the Volta Region during British colonial rule, she witnessed firsthand the systemic barriers preventing girls from accessing education. In 1952, she established the Volta Girls' Academy, Ghana's first secondary school for girls outside the capital city. This institution became a model for gender-inclusive education, eventually educating over 5,000 students during its first 25 years. Adoo's work was foundational in preparing women for leadership roles in post-colonial Ghana, with many of her graduates becoming teachers, nurses, and government officials. She later served as a member of the National Council for Women and Development, advocating for policies that addressed gender disparities in education. Her legacy is preserved through the Emira Adoo Foundation, which continues her mission today. Learn more at Volta Girls' Academy and Ghana Education History Project.