Accra: Architecture and Construction in the 1950s
Written by Kuukuwa Manful, Lois Quartey, and Elton Kwei
Accra has been Ghana’s capital since 1877 when it was transferred from Cape Coast. In 1898, the colonial authorities established The Accra Town Council was formally to regulate construction and enforce colonial building laws. In 1953, it was reconstituted as the Accra Municipal Council with representatives for the difference wards in the city, and four representatives of the Ga Traditional Authority. After Independence in 1957, Ga traditional representation was removed from the Accra Municipal Council (Source: ama.gov.gh)
1950
The population of the Accra was growing. Self-rule was a real possibility and Independence in the hopeful future. While previously in the 1920s and 1930s, the number of permit applications to the Council averaged 250, but this went up around the 1950s. In 1950 alone, 484 applications for building permits were made. All these applications were approved and the permits were granted.
Out of these, 366 were applications for permits to put up residential buildings. Two were for sanitary facilities for the Presbyterian Junior Boys School and the Methodist Mission. The Accra Masonic Lodge and the Catholic Mission also applied for permits to put up new religious buildings. The rest of the applications were a mix of industrial buildings, administrative buildings, commercial buildings and one building for educational use.
In 1950, a number of companies and social clubs, some no longer existing in Ghana applied for permits to build. Some of these were The Hotel Metropole Ltd, City Furniture Co Ltd, The Accra Club, Texas Petroleum Company, Swiss Motors, S.C.O.A (Sociéte Commerciale de I’Ouest Africain), Taylor Woodrow Ltd, A. G. Leventis & Co Ltd, H & B Green Co Ltd, and The British Bata Shoe Company.
Of the applications approved for residential buildings, 184 were single-level houses, 145 were 2-level storey buildings and one was for a 3-level storey building. 98 Applicants were female, 222 were male. There were also 7 female + male duos, and 1 male + male duo. The rest of the applicants were either organisations, or not indicated.
Architectural Drawings for a 2-storey Residential Building. Submitted in 1950
1951
In 1951 484 applications were submitted to The Accra Town Council. All the applications were approved and permits were granted. 324 of these were applications for permits to put up residential buildings. The Red Cross society sought to put up a civic building, The Ashanti Youngsters Carpentry Company sought to put up a carpentry factory, and The Catholic Mission in Ghana was approved a permit to construct the Holy Spirit Cathedral. The cornerstone for the Cathedral was later laid in 1953.
Of the residential buildings approved for construction, 180 were single-level houses, 139 were 2-level storey buildings and 3 of them were 3-level storey buildings.67 of the applicants were female, 322 were male. There were 7 female + male duos, and 1 male + male duo. The rest of the applicants were either organisations or not indicated.
Elevation Drawing, Holy Spirit Cathedral (Originally Called Holy Ghost Cathedral), 1951