About Our Founder
She was born to Mr. Alfred Lincoln Codjoe, a prominent businessman, and Mrs. Evangelina Codjoe (nee Beetson) both of Accra, on December 5th, 1901. After attending the Methodist Girls School in Accra, the 13 year-old Miss Codjoe was sent to England where she studied Art and Music at the Weirfield School in Taunton, Somerset, and received certification from the Royal Association Board of Music and Art.
On her return to the Gold Coast in 1919, Miss Codjoe took a position as a teacher at Accra Government School. She left there shortly therefore to take up a post at the Accra High School where she taught until 1928. She married Joseph Cecil Ofuatey-Kodjoe, then an Inspector of Police. Mrs. Elsie Ofuatey-Kodjoe travelled to the various police posts to which her husband was transferred.
She was involved in a variety of activities connected with the advancement of women in this country. On her husband’s retirement as Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1956, they resettled in Accra, where she took up the position of Assistant Officer of the Industrial Development Corporation and later a Receptionist at the Ghana National Trading Company.
How it all started in Ghana
Serving Since 1921
Guiding History
As early as 1912, Guiding was introduced into the country but it died off. In 1921, Mrs. Elsie Ofuatey-kodjoe started Guiding again in Accra and her subsequent energetic exertion spread guiding throughout the country. She was made Colony Commissioner and later the Life Vice President of the Association.
The membership of the first troop was 76 girls, who met at her father’s house, ALAMAGANIE HOUSE, Korle Wokon, Accra. As the Association gained popularity and membership increased, Mrs. Ofuatey-Kodjoe could not fund the Association alone, she approached the Colonial Government for assistance but was turned down on the grounds that other organisations might also cash in on this precedent.
As a token support, however, the Colonial Government presented to her, the British flag (the Union Jack). Still undaunted, and having in mind law 7, “A GUIDE HAS COURAGE AND IS CHEERFUL IN ALL DIFFICULTIES”, she single handedly continued organizing the Movement until it was officially recognized in 1925 when the Prince of Wales, Edward VIII, visited Ghana. As the country was under Colonial rule, a white lady was appointed as the Colony Commissioner for the Girl Guides.
It was not until 1949 that Mrs. Ofuatey was appointed Acting Colony Commissioner. Being well-grounded in the Guiding Law and using them, though the patience and perseverance of Mrs. Ofuatey-Kodjoe were stretched to its limits, she survived with distinction. She planted a tree that has been watered and nurtured into fruition.