OUR HISTORY & FOUNDER
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award was founded by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh KG, KT in 1956, in conjunction with Kurt Hahn, the German educationalist to support young people on their journey of self-development, regardless of their background, culture, physical ability, skills or interest. Concerned that young people’s development was being held back, together they created a programme that would support young people on the journey of self-development as they find their purpose, passion, and place in the world.
The Award Scheme was introduced in Ghana in November, 1967 as The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. During the same period, permission was granted by the Ghana Education Service for its introduction in various secondary schools as extra-curricular activities for the development of young people.
In 1971 when H. E. Edward Akuffo Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana presented the Gold Award to the first batch of four (4) young people at the Peduase Lodge for their selfless services through the designed activities of the Award.
Gold Award, 1977
In 1977, Gen. I. K. Acheampong, as Head of State accepted for the Head of State of the Country to be Chief Patron of the Award Scheme. He also changed the name of the Award Scheme from The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award to The Head of State Award Scheme in Ghana for Government support to help extend its reach to more young people and to reflect our identity as a country. In the early 1980’s, political instability halted the Award’s operation until 1993, when it was revived.
Since then, it has grown and touched the lives of over 224,000 young people in Ghana and beyond. The Award in Ghana currently operates in eight regions, with a National Secretariat in Accra with 480 Operating Award Centres, over 2,900 volunteer Award Leaders, and an annual average of 15,000 participants. The President of the Republic of Ghana is the Chief Patron of the Award Scheme in Ghana.
Globally, more than one million young people are striving to achieve their Bronze, Silver, or Gold Awards in more than 130 countries and territories.
Visit of HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh to Ghana, 1996
The Founder’s vision, purpose and principles remain at the core of the Award’s ethos, as well as his fervent hope that:
“Everyone who takes part in the Award will find an added purpose and pleasure to their lives. I am quite sure that all those who help to run it will gain that special sense of satisfaction which comes from helping others to discover hidden abilities and overcome a challenge.”
