Chief Andoh served as Opanyin (Principal Secretary) to Omanhene Kobina Gyan of Elmina from 1863 to 1872. Upon the latter's expulsion to Sierra Leone Chief Andoh was appointed regent of Elmina in 1873 and later of Edina State, a position he held until his death in December 1898.
Chief Andoh was a lieutenant in the British Army and was therefore one of the first Africans to serve as an officer for the British. He was awarded the Queen's Africa General Service Medal and Clasp 1874.[2]
He was instrumental to the British forces led by Sir Garnet Wolseley in the defeat of Prempeh I by leading their way as a scout to Kumasi. One of the members of this campaign was Baden-Powell who dedicated his book, The Downfall of Prempeh to him: "Dedicated (Without His Permission) To Chief Andoh of Elmina. My Guide, Adviser And Friend".[3] It is said that Chief Andoh taught Baden-Powell about scouting in the jungle and was thus a pioneer of the Scouting Movement.[1] Furthermore, the Scout handshake was purportedly a homage to Chief Andoh who was left-handed and had the tendency to shake hands with his left. He is also accredited in assisting the British in creating the First Gold Coast Police Force.
