Tetteh Quarshie

Initially trained as a blacksmith apprentice at a Basel Mission workshop in Akropong, Quarshie's true passion lay in farming. In 1870, he embarked on a transformative journey to the Spanish colony of Fernando Po (now Bioko in Equatorial Guinea). Six years later, Quarshie returned to Ghana armed with several cocoa beans, marking the beginning of a significant agricultural revolution.

In 1879, Quarshie planted the first cocoa seeds at Mampong, achieving initial success. His distribution of cocoa pods to friends and relatives spurred widespread cultivation across Ghana. The subsequent importation of cocoa by the Basel Missionaries further fueled the growth of the industry.

By 1891, Ghana had commenced cocoa exports, with official records starting in 1893. The industry experienced rapid growth, propelling Ghana to become the world's largest exporter by 1910. Despite challenges such as bush fires, Ghana's cocoa maintained its reputation for quality, yielding significant revenue for the nation.

While some contest Quarshie's status as the first to introduce cocoa to Ghana, citing earlier missionary efforts, his role in commercializing and popularizing cocoa cultivation in the region remains undisputed. Quarshie's pioneering efforts laid the foundation for Ghana's emergence as a global leader in cocoa production.

Tetteh Quarshie's legacy extends beyond his pioneering agricultural endeavors. His impact led to the establishment of the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Scholarship at Achimota College and the construction of the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital at Mampong-Akwapim. These monuments stand as a testament to Quarshie's enduring influence on Ghana's cocoa industry and its economic development.