Josephine Anno

Ghanaian educator and women's rights advocate who established schools and promoted female education in West Africa.

Josephine Anno (1900–1978) was a trailblazing educator from Ghana who championed women’s education during colonial rule. Born in Cape Coast, she founded the Girls’ Vocational School in 1930, one of the first institutions in West Africa dedicated to empowering girls through practical skills and literacy. Anno’s efforts significantly increased female enrollment in schools, challenging societal norms that limited women’s access to education. She also co-founded the Women’s League of West Africa, advocating for women’s rights and economic independence. Her work is chronicled in the British Museum archives and the UN Women publications. Despite her impact, Anno’s contributions remain underrecognized internationally, making her a symbol of grassroots activism in Africa.