History of Opoku Ware II Museum

During the inter-war years in colonial Gold Coast, discussions begun among the staff of Achimota College (then Prince of Wales College) about the need to establish a museum for teaching and research in higher institutions. The Ghana Museums and Monuments Board was founded on the dawn of Ghana’s Independence on 5th March 1957.

Between 2002 and 2006— during the tenure of the late Prof. Kwesi Andam as Vice Chancellor— KNUST, through the US Embassy, competed with 49 other countries to join the International Partners Among Museums (IPAM). KNUST was admitted to IPAM. A Management Committee was then created, headed by Prof. Wellington who designed the new Museum. Other members who played various roles in the establishment of the Opoku Ware II Museum are Mr. A.K. Boateng (the current Registrar),  Mr.  Paul Adadey, Assistant Registrar, and Mr. Victor Anim, the Director of Works and Mr. Kwaku Oppong, Physical Development and Estate Officer. Mr. Gilbert Amegatcher and Dr. Atta Kwami also contributed immensely to these early days of the new Museum. The 50th Anniversary Exhibition of KNUST was held at the Museum. The annual Trade and Technology Fair of KNUST also took place there till around 2013.

In 2018 the then Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. Kwasi Obiri Danso, set up a committee chaired by Pro Vice Chancellor Rev.  Prof. Ansah to consider revamping the Museum and asserting its purpose. It comprised of Dr Jimmy Nkrumah, Director of Works, Sammy Osei Kofi, kąrî’kạchä seid’ou, George Ampratwum, Kwaku Boafo Kissiedu, Vincentia Okpata Doreen, Dora Mensah and Edwin Bodjawah.

In November 2019 an experimental exhibition titled ‘Dignity in Labour: From Forest to Faculty’ was staged at the museum to firstly celebrate Otumfuo Osei Tutu  II’s anniversary as Asantehene and chancellor of KNUST, secondly to display the Peggy Appiah Collection of Asante gold weights donated to the University between 2003 and 2005, and then to celebrate the lifework of notable Ghanaian ceramic artist, K.K. Broni, currently in the collection of the Museum.