Dr. Arthur Bass, a retired biochemist, is sent by the British Council to help an ailing department of biochemistry in the University of Ghana. In response to a student riot, the university is closed by the military government. Arthur Bass therefore loses all the first and second year students, but arranges for the 3 final year students to be taught in a laboratory at the main Accra hospital. For only 3 students the shortage of teaching staff is no longer a problem and Dr. Bass is able to spend time on other pursuits, such as learning about the early history of the Gold Coast and the transatlantic slave trade, as well as enjoying the company of other expatriate visitors to the university. He travels in southern Ghana, visiting the forest region, the Shai Hills, and the Akosombo hydroelectric dam. During a weekend in Kumasi he visits Lake Bosumtwi, as well as learning about the history of Ashanti golden stool and the siege of the Kumasi fort. A fascinating day is spent with the Professor of Physics, Alan Nunn May (who was jailed for giving secrets to the Russians), at his cottage on the bank of the Volta estuary.

Before leaving the UK, Dr. Bass is asked to look out for a Ghanaian criminal, wanted by the British police (and more than one deceived British lady), who has returned to Ghana. He meets the person in question, whose eventual arrest by the British police is considerably helped by information from Dr. Bass.