Until 1850, the development of Education in Ghana (then Gold Coast), was entirely in the hands of the Christian Missions. The system was devoid of any cohesive national policy.

Government interest and participation in Ghana took centre stage between 1850 and 1925 with the passage of several Education Ordinances i.e. Governors Hill (1852), Row (1882), Griffith (1887) etc. etc. all aimed at correcting imbalances and injecting dynamism in the system.

Governor Row’s Education Ordinance among others, provided for the establishment of Industrial Schools followed by Agricultural ones. The needed impetus to those Industrial and Agricultural schools came with the introduction of the Governor Rodyer’s Education reforms of (1908 – 1919) which mandated Government to take direct interest in technical education.

Before 1900, the Government established agricultural stations in Aburi, Asuansi, Tarkwa and Kumasi to run courses for teachers and students and opened Accra Technical School in 1909 to provide courses in engineering, motor vehicle mechanics and building construction. By 1922 other government trade schools were opened in Yendi, Mampong, Kibi and Asuansi to provide training in masonry, carpentry, metal work and woodwork.