G. E. Ferguson

George Ekem Ferguson (14 July 1864 – 7 April 1897),[1] also known as Ekow Atta, was a Fante civil servant, surveyor and cartographer who worked in the British colony of the Gold Coast[2] (modern Ghana).

Ferguson's studies there included mathematics, geography, British and ancient history, classics, French, photography, and religious education.

After eight years service as a junior civil servant, Ferguson applied to study one-year course at the Royal College of Science, London.

In London, he studied mining, geology, surveying, mathematics and astronomy; performing well in his June exams, he received a First Class diploma.

On October 21 of the same year, the Governor asked Ferguson to travel from Accra to Atebubu, in order to prospect for precious stones, as well as producing a report on the quality of the roads and the status of local trade.

Upon reaching Atebubu, Ferguson negotiated a treaty with the local chiefs, who feared aggression from the Ashanti Empire, which they had seceded from in 1875.

The border between Gold Coast and the German colony of Togoland had been fixed in 1887, temporarily creating a neutral zone which contained important towns such as Salaga and Bimbila.