THE BOYS’ BRIGADE IN GHANA

 The Reverend Herman Noah Annan of the Christiansburg Presbyterian School (Salem. Accra) first introduced the B.B in the Gold Coast in 1911. The formation of the BB spread to some Presbyterian churches in the Eastern region of Ghana. The outbreak of World War I (1914 - 1918) disturb the rapid growth of the organization leading to its collapse, and towards the end of the 1920s, all traces of the B.B was erased for fear of such boys being sent to war.

A NEW BEGINNING

It was until 1951 that Mr. J.B Koomson made a new beginning of the B.B in Accra Wesly Methodist Church on the Asafoatse Nettey road under the name 1^st Accra Company with Mr. Ebenezer Aikins-Hawkson. Traces of the new movement was felt in between the first and second world wars with the raiment of the Salem schools wearing the uniforms to join the march during the “Empire Day” celebrations.

FORMATION OF 1^ST ACCRA

In 1951, Mr. John Benjamin Koomson. A Tax officer of the Government Revenue Department (now the internal revenue service) went on further education studies in the United Kingdom. He joined the 33^rd London Brigade Company. He was trained as a lieutenant and served the company until he returned to Accra and discussed the issue of forming a Boys’ Brigade Company in the Gold Coast. His brother-in-law, Mr. Ebenezer Aikins -Hawkson, a member of the Fanti Section of the Wesley Methodist Church-Accra, was contacted and accepted to be an officer of the new movement. Mr. Acquah, minister in charge of the Fanti section of the Wesley society.

They then sought permission from the leaders meeting under the Superintendent of Rev. Joseph Emmanuel Allotey-Pappoe.

HUMBLE BEGINNING – STARTING

The initial response was that more than 100 boys were recruited from the Government, Charles Lane, Royal, and Methodist Boys’ School. They were taken through the drills, Bible class, and Gymnastics. They met at James Town Methodist Boys’ School (where freeman Methodist Church is now situated). The youth minister (Rev. Joe K. Clegg was put in charge by Leaders’ Meeting to oversee the spiritual training of the officers and boys.

APPROVAL FROM LONDON OFFICE

A letter of intent was written to the London office, which was acknowledged with dispatch to enable the company to start operating.

INAUGURATION

Everything was done and final preparation made for the inauguration on Saturday, 2^nd August 1952. The day set aside came and it was a funfair for the church at the Wesley Methodist Church.

QUICK EXPANSION IN 1954

Two years later, another company was started in Wesley Methodist church – Sekondi by Mr. J.A. Pickford, a Town Council Engineer of the Sekondi – Takoradi His immediate task was the organization of a training course for officers. This was followed by the invitation of young men from all the churches to Sekondi-Takoradi. The birth of the 2^nd Accra, 1^st Kumasi, 1^st Cape Coast, 2^nd Sekondi, and 1^st Anomabo companies was the outcome of the initial expansion work.

FIRST NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING

The first council meeting of Ghana B.B was held at Anomabo in 1956. Mr. R. L. Rawson, Assistant Overseas Secretary in London was the International Committee’s representative in attendance.

INDEPENDENCE OF THE BB GHANA

It was only expected that after the momentous event that ushered Ghana in as the first African country south of the Sahara to gain independent status within the British Commonwealth nations. Most organizations with foreign affiliations should follow the track of the nation thus B.B in Ghana became an independent organization in 1960

source: The Boys' Brigade, Ghana, officers' manual.