The Legon Observer, the journal of the Legon Society for National Affairs (LSNA), was established in July 1966 as a fortnightly publication. With a base in the political science faculty of the University of Ghana

University of Ghana

The University of Ghana is the oldest and largest of the thirteen Ghanaian universities and tertiary institutions. It is one of the best universities in Africa and by far the most prestigious in West Africa...

 at Legon

Legon

Legon, a suburb of the Ghanaian capital city Accra, is situated about twelve kilometres north-east of the city center. Legon is home to the main campus of the University of Ghana. The word "Legon" is derived from the indigenous Ga language of the people of Greater Accra; NI-LEY GON therefore "Hill...

, it established itself as an important critical voice during the military rule of the National Liberation Council

National Liberation Council

The National Liberation Council was the name of the Ghanaian government after the elected government of the Convention Peoples' Party led by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was overthrown on February 24, 1966. This government was in place till they handed over to a democratically elected government on October...

. In the 1969 elections

Ghanaian parliamentary election, 1969

The Ghanaian parliamentary election was held on 29 August 1969. This was the first parliamentary election since the 1966 coup by the National Liberation Council which toppled the Nkrumah government. The election was to select members for the 140 seat legislative body. Kofi Abrefa Busia, the leader...

 it called for a "third force", between Komla Agbeli Gbedemah

Komla Agbeli Gbedemah

Komla Agbeli Gbedemah was a Ghanaian politician. He was also the Minister for Finance in the Nkrumah government from 1954 to 1961. He was popularly called "Afro Gbede".-Political career:...

's National Alliance of Liberals

National Alliance of Liberals

The National Alliance of Liberals was a political party in Ghana during the Second Republic . In elections held on 29 August 1969, the NAL won 29 out of 140 seats in the National Assembly....

 and Kofi Abrefa Busia

Kofi Abrefa Busia

Kofi Abrefa Busia was Prime Minister of Ghana from 1969–72. He was born in Wenchi, in the then British colony of Gold Coast . He was educated at Methodist School, Wenchi, Mfantsipim School, Cape Coast, then at Wesley College, Kumasi from 1931–32. He later became a teacher at Achimota Secondary...

's Progress Party

Progress Party (Ghana)

The Progress Party was the ruling party in Ghana during the Second Republic . In the 29 August 1969 elections, the PP won 105 of the National Assembly's 140 seats....

. Some supported the All People's Congress

All People's Congress

The All People's Congress is one of the two major political parties in Sierra Leone, the other is the Sierra Leone People's Party . The party was founded in 1960 by Pa Mucktarru Kallay, Allieu Badarr Koroma,Alhaji Sheik Gibril Sesay C A Kamara-Taylor, S A T Koroma and Abu Bakarr S Bangura...

, led by John Bilson

John Bilson (politician)

Dr. John Bilson was a Ghanaian doctor and politician.In May 1969 he founded the All People's Congress, which despite some support from the Legon Observer failed to make any impact in the 1969 parliamentary election...

, who later ran for president as a Third Force Party

Third Force Party

The Third Force Party was a political party in Ghana during the Third Republic .In the 18 June 1979 presidential election, TFP candidate John Bilson won 2.8% of the vote....

 candidate. From 1974 to 1978 the newspaper was effectively banned: General Acheampong

Acheampong

Acheampong is a Ghanaian surname and may refer to:* Faustina Acheampong, wife of Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, First Lady of Ghana* Ignatius Kutu Acheampong , Ghanaian general and politician...

 withheld foreign exchange to block the import of newsprint, and arrested and detained editors.

Editors included Yaw Twumasi and Kwame Arhin

Kwame Arhin

Prof. Kwame Arhin, also known as Nana Arhin Brempong, is a historian and politician in Ghana.Arhin built his academic career at the University of Ghana, where he was an editor of the Legon Observer and had a long-standing association with the Institute of African Studies...

.

In 2007 a New Legon Observer was launched, under the acting editorship of Ernest Aryeetey, Director of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) of the University of Ghana.