Commonwealth Hall of University of Ghana

Commonwealth Hall of University of Ghana

The first batch of students was admitted into residence in
Commonwealth Hall at the beginning of the 1956-1957 academic year.
In the Lent Term of that academic year, Ghana attained its independence from Great Britain, and the Hall, hitherto known as the Third Hall , was officially christened Commonwealth Hall to commemorate Ghana’s admission into the Commonwealth of Nations.
The official opening of the Hall was performed in March, 1957. It is, so far, the only all-male Hall of Residence in the University. The motto of the Hall, Truth Stands, was taken from a quotation from Satyre by John Donne (1572-1631):
“On a huge hill, cragged, and steep,
Truth stands and hee that will Reach her,
about must, and about must goe”
This motto combines both the physical situation of the Hall (on a hillside overlooking most of the University and beyond) and the proper pursuit of a University education, the search for truth.
It is the only Hall of Residence in the University which has a theatre and Amphitheatre for lectures and plays. The Coat of Arms of the Hall depicts the strength and unity of purpose of
members of the Hall deriving from the bonds of association enjoyed by the individual members of the Hall. High Commissioners of the Commonwealth countries in Ghana are accorded Honorary Membership of the Hall.
There is a Hall Council which administers the affairs of the
Hall, assisted by the Tutorial Board and the Senior Common Room Committee.
The design of the Commonwealth is not different from any of the traditional halls. The difference is that the commonwealth hall is situated on a hill and the occupancy of the hall known as the Vandals are largely united, cordial and have high sense of brotherliness.
It is largely speculated that a student can survive in this hall without food of his own for the whole semester since food for one member of the hall is the food for all.
They have a tradition is the hall and largely operates a traditional chieftaincy system with the chief vandal as the traditional head of the hall.