Capt Amoabeng, studied at the University of Ghana between 1971 and 1974

Popular Ghanaian businessman, Captain Prince Kofi Amoabeng (Rtd) has painted a nostalgic and mouthwatering image of university life in the 1970s, recalling how students were not only well-fed and pampered, but were also paid to study.

In an interview with Kafui Dey, Capt Kofi Amoabeng, who studied at the University of Ghana, Legon, between 1971 and 1974, described the campus routine as “cozy - very, very, very cozy.”

He recalled that students enjoyed three square meals with options, from things like boiled yam to salad and chicken and even ice cream, as well as tea and coffee stations available to them.

“You have three square meals with options. You can decide I don't like yam, I want salad and chicken. And you chose what you wanted. Free meals. And then when you finish, there's ice cream.

“And when you come there, there's tea or coffee, tea with milk, or tea with almond. You come with your flask and fill it and take sugar and go,” he recounted.

His also recalled how university students in those days received annual stipends of 100 old Ghana cedis, broken into three.

“We were paid… we call it ‘Millions.’ It was GH¢100 for the whole academic year, GH¢34 first term, GH¢34 second term, and GH¢32 third term,” he said.

With that modest stipend, Amoabeng shared how he would treat himself by hiring a taxi from campus to the Continental Hotel (now Golden Tulip/Lancaster), enjoying a mini beer and a pack of Rothmans cigarettes, then returning, all on just GH¢1.

“The money was powerful, and then I'll take GH¢5 to go to Lomé to shop and come back. You buy maybe some apples for a girl you are chasing.

“Togo was where you went to see some kind of supermarket and things like that,” he shared.

He also recalled that students from poorer backgrounds often supported their families financially, thanks to these stipends.

Beyond the perks, he highlighted the robust academic support system and praised the infrastructure and guidance he received.

Watch the video below:

ID/AE

GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey