Our History

Before 1951, there was no Secondary School in the then Western Province of the Gold Coast. The desire to set up one was felt by Mr. Joseph William Acquah who studied in Pennsylvania.

He came back home with the message: “Education shall make you free”. With sheer determination, he laboured, almost single-handedly, to start a secondary school on the premises of an abandoned army barracks on the hilltop of Essaman and Ekuasi.

The primary objectives of the founder were:

• To enable the students to acquire broad knowledge in the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities as a foundation for understanding the work in which they live.
• To strengthen and refine the students’ power of reasoning and judgment.
• To enable the students to discover their intellectual capabilities and interests
• To prepare the students to participate constructively in a rapidly changing society.

Today, the school has produced leaders who have gone on to influence the course of our country. Some have taught in universities around the world and many operate successful businesses that impact the economic lives of others,and in the communitieas in which they live. The quality of the school 's education and experience is evidenced by the many leaders it has produced. This tradition can only continue to enrich the future generations if we all commit to making it a better school than we found it.

On Friday 21 st September 1951, the school opened with only two students and three masters; the Founder-Headmaster, supported by Mr. Vishnu Wassiamal, an old Achimontan and Mr. Francis Insaidoo an alumnus of St. Teresa’s Seminary.

J.W. was undaunted. He decided to make a start with these two courageous lads thirsting for knowledge. On 24 th September, classes began.

The following week, Hon Kojo Botsio visited the school on inspection. Gradually, enrollment began to appreciate.

On November 5 th, the boarding department of the college opened. Only one student, Kweku Sekyiamah, came into residence. For the first time, the College football team met Claybon XI on the Railway Recreational Grounds in Sekondi and won the game by 3 goals to 1.

In January 1952 School re-opened with increase in staff enrollment from three to eight. Students’ enrollment went up from 20 boys and 3 girls. Miss Caroling Ewssie Abbensetts, a Domestic Science Specialist was made the Dean of girls. There were three Houses, House 1 (Twidan House) House 3 (Ebiradze House). The Girls’ House (House 2) was named after Miss Eleanor Carter.

By this time, the college had classes for Forms 1, 2 and 3 offered 14 subjects:

English, Physics & Chemistry (Theoretical), Mathematics, Geography, Gen. Science, Hygiene & Physics, History, Latin, Fante and Twi, Singing, Nature Study, Tech Drawing, French and Art

ON January 22, Nana Kobina Nketsiah IV, Omanhene of British Sekondi, addresses students on CITIZENSHIP. The school of Draughtsmanship started in March 1952 under the directorship of Mr. E.K. Koranteng. Classes started 5 th March 1952. In the same month, six students were admitted to the Hounours Roll. They were:

• B.D. TAWIAH
• C. AKUFFO
• MARRY QUANSAH
• BEN CREPPY
• NORMAN NSIAH AND
• K.G. YAMEAH

In the same year, students staged a sit-down strike the whole day because the three-pence loaf of bread was not sufficient even though boarding fees had been increased to 10 pounds per term.

In May 1952 the College held her first Founder’s Day. Nana Kobinah Mketsiah IV was Chairman, with Mr. J.V.L. Philips as the Guest Speaker.

A scholarship fund for brilliant but needy students was launched. People contributed generously; they included the following:

• FRED KHOURY
• C.K. WELLINGTON
• J.V.L PHILIPS
• M. CAPTAN
• F. HILLS & SONS
• W. BEDU ANSAH & CO
• COLLINS HAYFORD
• MADAM AMA FOLSON SMITH
• LAWYER JAMES MERCER
• REV. FR. BUAH
• JANE DUMSAH
• R.S. BLAY
• D.T. NKRUMAH
• B.K. AIKINS
• MR. WILLIE LAAST
• CPP YOUTH LEAGUE
• RUSSEL
• MS. MAJORIE BEN
• JONES
• ETWIRE

The total amount realized was 48 pounds 7 shillings 2 pence.

On 31 st January 1953 the Collede held their first Re-opening convocation ceremony. Candles were given to new students who took turns to light them from the Headmaster’s. This ceremony was captured by the Daily Graphic of 16/2/53. Consequently, from 40 students in January, enrollment swelled to 73 by the next month. In that month a college Newspaper, THE EAGLE was first published to harness the literary potential of the students. This was under the Editorship of Mr. Ver Summaus.

In May the same year, the College was rented an electric generating plant by Mr. Agyepong, proprietor of Rex Cinema and that supplied the electricity to the school, thus illuminating the compound for the first time.

The school held her Founder’s Day in August and was decorated with flags and buntings. The chairman was K. Kwatey Quartey, the Town Clerk. He donated 10 Pounds 10 shillings towards the scholarship fund.

School re-opened for the third therm on 7 th Spetember 1953. Sone far-reaching decisions were taken at the staff meeting,

1. All students should belong to at least one of these Clunbs: ART, FORTICULTURE, CARPENTRY, DEBATING AND MUSIC.
2. The 7 th period should be devoted to General Reading
3. A Parent Association should be formed.

ON 15 th September 1954 all Form 4 students were dismissed for challenging the authority of the principal in matters concerning class assignments. This act culminated in student strike in the college. Following interventions by affected parents and other individuals, students were re-admitted on a probationary period of 2 terms. The year was not particularly a good one. Staff strength reduced from ten to four; so was the students’ roll’ which also fell considerably.

Messera Edward Solomon Ayensu and Wilfred Kwame Tombro later joined Mathher Daniel, J.A. Benin and A. Poku Ayeman to beef up the staff strength of the College.

A new academic schedule was instituted as from the beginning of the academic in 1955. Students went to school at 8:00am and stayed till 5:30pm. Between 2:30pm and 4:00pm all got their respective classrooms to do their private studies and home works. This benefited the say students a lot.

In July 1955 the school registered her first batch of candidates for the West African School Certificate Examination. The school presented six candidates: A. Baker, F. Ackwanu, S. Solomon, I. Laryea, I. Popoola and Cudjoe. In the same month a Founder’s Day celebration was held under the distinguished chairmanship of Nana Anaisie IV, Omanhene of Dutch Sekondi.

In December that year, the school celebrated her 4 th Anniversary Speech & Prize-Giving Ceremony under the Chairmanship of Dr. J.C. de Graft Johnson with Mr. C.C. Ackah, Headmaster of Ghana College as the Guest Speaker.

By January 1956, out of the total number on roll was 50, 24 were boarders, 4 of whom were European children who were put on special diet but used the same dining hall facilities. In March the West African Examination results were released. Four out of the six passed. A holiday was declared on receiving the good news of the students’ very encouraging performance. At the Assembly to announce the victory, the headmaster asked the graduated, in his farewell message, to be good ambassadors of ther Alma Mater.

Mr. George Padmore visited the school and has this to write “Delighted and greatly impressed with this school. With best wished for greater success”.

Sports, particularity football and table tennis, featured prominently on the school curriculum. The school played a number of matches with Fijai Secondary School, St. John’s School, Claybon College, Royal Commercial College, Etc. On July 24 th, the Principal left for Accra to attend the Prime Minister’s Reception and also to meet the Minister of Education on logistics for the school.

On 16 th November 1957 a Speech and Prize-giving day was held under the chairmanship of Hon, N.A. Welbeck, Minister of Co-operatives and Labour. The guest speaker was Dr. David L. Stratman, Cultural Affairs Officer, USIS.

On 6 th December 1958 the College held her 7 th Annual Speech & Prize-giving Day. Hon A.E. Inkumsah, then minister of Housing was the chairman. The Guest Speaker was Mr. Kwaw Swanzy. The former then laid the foundation stone of the science lab.

Enrolment increased considerably, the 1959 convocation exercise alone had 124 new students. The ceremony’s guest speaker was Lawyer Robert Hayfron-Benjamin.

On 16 th February 1959 the Prime Minister, the Rt. Honourable Dr. Kwame Nkumah visited the College and inspected the science block (then under construction), classrooms and administrative offices of the college. He was accompanied by Hon. Kojo Botsio, Minister of State, Hon. J.E. Hagen, Regional Commissioner (Western), Mr. George Mettle Padmore, Adviser on African Affairs and Mr. Nunoo, Director, Ghana Educational Trust. The Prime minister was greatly impresses. On the request of the Senior Perfect, the school was granted half-holiday by the Prime Minister. The following month, March 6 th Independence Party was held for staff and students. The school trekked to Kibi to play a two-two drawn game with Abuakwa State College. That was soon after Mr. Yaw Sam had been employed at P.T. Teacher in charge of Sports & Athletics. On 5 th June the school football team beat Government Technical Institute by two goals to nil. They went on to play Accra Academy and beat them by three goals to two. After the Founders Day Celebration service the College played a football match with Fijai Secondary School and won by three goals to one.

In January 1960 the Experimental School of Sekondi College opened. Not long after that a group of expatriate teachers started proving uncooperative. They number eight and demanded a wholesale transfer to any of the Trust Secondary Schools. The feud started what the headmaster asked Mr. Claxton to pay back to the school Overnight Allowance that was wrongly paid to him. The teachers were Mr. & Mrs. Blackman, Mr. Nursoo, Mr. Lekhela, Mr. Supuuana, Mr. Claxton, Mr. Eans Hendricks and Mr. Shaoa. Following intervention by the Board Chairman, Mr. Adjaye-Kwofie, the matter was resolved amicably.

That year’s convocation saw 135 new students, the larges admission made within a single year and the ceremony was impressive.

On 24 th February 1960 the West African Examination Council officially recognized Sekondi College. This meant that the college could present candidates for the school certificate Examinations not as private but as school candidates. The college also became an examination center. The November 1959 West African School Certificate Examination results were released; two out of the four candidates passes. They were A.K. Antwi and John Ampah.

By the next January convocations, which saw 120 freshmen being initiated into the school, the staff strength had reached 20. The following month the college lost the Aggreuy Memorial Secondary School in Table tennis and netball but beat them in soccer by six goals to one. Next, the college played Adisadel College and won the game by two goals to nil. Still on competitions, the school debating tam beat Kwame Nkrumah Secondary School in a debating contest.

ON September 14 th 1962 Dr. Foli handed over the leadership to Mr. J.K. Fiergbor. The latter started with staff strength of 22 teachers.

Only 59 first year pupils turned up, so a late Entrance Exams was held and the number rose to 105 first year pupils.

On the 12 th of Octtober 1962 four Form 5 students were dismissed following the part they played in a demonstration that sought to bring back J.W. It took the Minister of Education Mr. A.J. Dowuona to address the whole students and to emphasize that J.W. would never return to Sekondi College. He addresses them in the presence of the Board of Governors and the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Western Region. On Thursday 11 th October 1962 the school’s first Board of Governors chaired by Mr. Adjaye Kwofie, which had been the pillar behind J.W’s administration, was dissolved. Ten days later Mr. J. Benibengor Blay, then Deputy Minister for Education visited the school.

A year later the management committee of the school met to, among other things, consider the change of Name of the school from Sekondi College to Sekondi Secondary School. The post of a Senior Tutor was abolished giving way to Assistant Headmaster, which was a choice between Mr. Ripley Poku and Mr. F.C. Parsons. The former got the nod even though the latter was then the senior tutor. Mr. Riley-Poku who joined the Sekondi College staff in 1963 from Kwame Nkrumah Secondary School, Axim, proved to be very dynamic and hard working. He was instrumental in the building of the girl’s dormitory, the dining hall complex and a number of structures that gave the school a facelift. Subsequently, when Mr. Fiergbor went on transfer to Konongo Odumase Secondary School he sought to pull him along.

The school management committee gave Mr. H.O. Donkor the permission to travel to Paris as a representative of GNAT to participate in the 13 th Annual conference of the World Confederation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession. In his absence Mr. Riley Poku who had returned to Sekondi School after a brief stint with Konongo Odumase Secondary School, acted as Headmaster. Mr. H.O. Donkor returned before the end of August that year. By this time, staff strength had improved considerably. The result was that, on re-opening, as many as 27 teachers reported for staff meeting.

On 7 th September 1966 Mr. H.O. Donkor handed over the administration of the School to Mr. S.K. Riley-Poku as Acting Headmaster. He continued with the house-cleaning exercise undertaken by Mr. H.O. Donkor and in December, he removed the senior perfect from office and dismissed three other on grounds of misconduct.

In fact, efforts to change the name of the school from Sekondi College to Sekondi Secondary School started from Mr. Fiergbor’s administration, but it was during H.O. Donkor’s administration that the change was effected. And so Mr. Riley-Poku inherited the name Sekondi Secondary School from H.O. Donkor’s administration. Meanwhile, towards the tail end of the latter’s administration the school was burgled but it was Mr. Riley-Poku (Ag Head) who reported the matter to the police on assumption of office. The amount stolen was five hundred and twenty-two cedis.

IN December the same year, an audit report revealed financial malfeasance on the part of the school bursau leading to a cash shortage of seven hundred and twenty-nine pesewas. It led to the arrest of the bursar. The Headmaster held a dinner party in December 1966 for members of the Board of Governors, Teaching and Clerical Staff and Students during which a forum was held for an open and frank discussion.

Mr. Riley-Poku was made the substantive headmaster on the 9 th January 1967.

In February 1967 Col. I.K. Acheampong visited the school in his capacity was Chairman of the Western Regional Administration, Sekondi. The headmaster took him round during which he discussed the building of a wall around Sekondi College to check erosion and possible landslide. It is interesting to note that Col. Acheampong was a parent of the school and Riley wanted to take advantage of the situation since it was under Acheampong administration that the Ekuasi sea defence wall was being built. The Sekco Defence Wall project however, was estimated to be too expensive.

Mr. Riley-Poku then thought that a new site for the school was absolutely necessary. With the help of Lawyer Gaisie, a Board member, Mr. Riley-Poku acquired the present and permanent site of Sekondi College, a 238.7-acre plot at Inchaban towards the end of the year 1969.

In November 1970, Mr. E.F. Goodwyll took over the school’s administration from Mr. Seth Allotey who acted briefly for Mr. Riley-Poku’s exit.

In September 1971 the Government sent a geologist to the College. His mission was to determine the suitability or otherwise of the site for human habitation. Earlier on, a minor landslide hadoccurred at the Ekuasi end of the hill. The implied fear was that the mighty builsing housing the Assembly Hall, Staff Room and Administration complex, could pose a great deal of danger to life and property in case of a more serious landslide.

He carried out his research and left the same day. The next day, Daily Graphic carried a banner headline SEKONDI COLLEGE IN DANGER!!

The school was to be moved out of the premises. Students were sent home and for about three months, they stayed out of the school while efforts were made to relocate them. At the same time the debate raged on as to the rationale behind the decision to move the school out of the premises where the CPP government had invested so much. Eventually, Ranchi Barracks, and abandoned Navy quarters in Takoradi was designated for the school’s resettlement.

New Students and prefects reported on Friday 5 th November, the rest reported on Saturday 13 th September 1971. This site had a number of pluses and minuses. On the positive side, by virtue of her position in town, student enrolment swelled up. The same would be said of teachers; the following joined the staff: R.K. Van Ess (Biology), Lewis Enu-Kwesi (Biology), A.O. Ofori (Gen., Science), E.K. Nettey (English), Miss Aba Crampah (French), S.K. Adjei (Maths) and Frank Joe Mensah (Government).

Student life became more and more lively. At the Ekuasi Hill Top the students could observe ships from afar on the high seas heading towards the Takoradi Harbour. Here at Ranchi Barracks, students had come close to the Harbour that they could literally go to the point of counting the crew on board! The daring ones occasionally sneaked into ships for adventure.

On the other hand, the wooden structure of the classrooms and dormitories did not appeal to visitors. Sekondi College certainly deserved better!

On 8 th February 1973, fire swept through the rook of the Form 4 block. It did extensive damage to property. It must be noted here that the buildings at Ranchi Barracks were predominantly wooden structures on concrete blocks.

Not long after this event, a number of cooks pilfered school foodstuffs; yam, tomatoes, garri, rice and oil. Students apprehended them and nearly took the law into their own hands but for the timely intervention of the Board who later held a meeting and asked the offenders to surrender their 2 weeks pay each. This greatly appeased the students.

The 1976/77 academic year opened with an increase in fees from ¢60 to ¢85. This increase nearly sparked off protest but the situation was mastered by the administration which conscientised the students through lectures. In October 1977, the first meeting to decide on the movement of the school to here permanent site was held at the Regional Administration, Sekondi. On 27 th November 1976, Mr. Goodwill held another Speech & Prize-Giving ceremony (the 15 th). Mr. Riley-Poku was the Guest Speaker and Mr. James Mercer was Chairman.

Sports continued to play a dominant role in enhancing the image of Sekondi College. In the 19 th Inter College Athletic meet, Sekondi College came second in athletics and second in volleyball.

On October 1, 1982, Mr. Godwyll handed over the head ship to Mr. John E. Ekuban the Assistant Headmaster and proceeded on leave and retirement. Mr. Ekuban acted for barely five days and handed over to the substantive headmaster Mr. K. Armoo Polley who had been transferred from Osei Tutu Secondary School Akropong, Ashanti.

The school 5-ton Bedford truck (still going strong) was donated by Valco Fund, in March 1986. On October 15, 1986, Mr. Armoo Polley handed over the school to the Assistant Headmaster Mr. P.K. Ababio. The latter administered the school for four months before handing over to Mr. R.G. Coomson. On February 28 , 1987, Sekco Old Students Association held their first congress where they resolved to labour for the school to move to her new site which was aquired by Mr. Riley Poku in 1969 at Inchaban. In the Headmaster’s address he expressed the hope that they would begin life at the new site in September 1987.

In July 1987, a team of officers from the Budget and Planning Division of G.E.S. Headquarters accompanied by Mr. S Koranteng the Regional Director of Education (W) and some old students, visited the school at her Ranchi Barracks in Takoradi. In June 1989 the USSR ambassador of Ghana, His Excellency Mr. Vistcheslav Semenov who was leaving Ghana for good after 5 years, visited the school. He addresses staff and students. The school presented him with souvenir costing ¢15,400.00.

In October 1989, the Headmaster Mr. Richard G. Coomson braved all odds and moved the school to her permanent site at Ichaban. Many masters left the staff for a number of reasons, chief among them being farness of the new site from town. By this time, 2 boys dormitories, one dining/Assembly Complex (not fully completed) an 18-unit classroom block, A science block and 5 bungalows including the headmaster’s has been completed but were all encompasses by thicket.

One of the two boy’s dormitories was instantly converted into administrative block, the science lab also into a girls’ dormitory to start life. Scorpions. Snakes and other reptiles were not uncommon. Students studied with lanterns. The headmaster Mr. R.G. Coomson working in concert with the Regional Minister, Mr. J.E. Amenlemah, the Regional Director of Education Mr. S.K. Oneg and the Regional administrative Officer Mr. M.K. Homiah worked hard to make life at the new site bearable; for instance, Electricity was installed after a long period of darkness, Water Services were restored and the entire resettlement process put on course. The entire staff particularly Mr. Joseph Amoako (alias King Joe) ably supported the headmaster. Mention should also be made of Miss Faustina B. Adarquah, Mr. Kwesi Annowi,Mr. Francis N. Mills not forgetting Mr. John N. Ennor who all selflessly moved unto the campus to subject themselves to the hazards of a new site in the service of the students and the college.

In August 1990 the Old Students donated a Sanyo Colour T.V. to the school. In spite of the teething problems the school was facing, the 40 th Anniversary celebrations were held from 22 nd November to 1 st December 1991. The guest speaker was Mr. Riley-Poku and the Chairman for the occasion was Nana Ato Dadzie. The founder Mr. J.W. Acquah traveled all the way from the U.S. to grace the occasion.

Towards the end of the year 1992 the PTA held a general meeting to change their leadership. Mr. Kish Ato Odum took over from Mr. Thompson. The PTA then resolved to help in the resettlement efforts of the school since most facilities were non-existent. In May 1993 the Non-formal division of the Ghana Education Service organized a tree planting exercise in the school.

Mr. R.G. Coomson handed over the administration of the school to his immediate Assistant, Miss Faustina Barbara Adarquah who administered the school for four months and handed over the substantive headmaster Mr. J. Osei Yeboah who was in Assistant capacity at the Pope John Secondary School and Junior Seminary, Koforidua.

On 3 rd October 1993, a very sad but inevitable event occurred. The founder of Sekondi College Mr. J.W. Acquah, the illustrious son of Ghana, passed away in Cape Coast. His funeral was well attended by Old and present students of both Sekondi College and St. Augustine’s College, his Alma mater. Past and present Headmasters and staff of both schools and others all over the country, attended in their numbers. Ministers of the State, Chiefs, the Clergy and all manner of thronged Cape Coast to the bereaved family in mourning the great J.W. and pay him their last respect. May His Soul Rest In Perfect Peace.

The school held a Carols Night on the 15 th of that month to crown the activities of the year. The chairman of the Board of Governors Lawyer Winney and the Deputy Regional Director of Education Mr. J.K. Amua-Sekyi attended the function.

In August a team from Budget and Planning division of Ghana Education Service Headquarters visited the school to inspect work on the Science Lab and Boys dormitory.

In the same month, the new headmaster took a very bold decision. He initiated the conversion of the centrally-place SSS Classroom Block into Administration Block for strategic reasons and converted the Administration Block, which was in one to the 2 boys dormitories (earlier mentioned) into a classroom block by causing the breaking of the wardrobes and other dormitorial fittings in it. In just a month, the staff moved to inhabit the new administrative block while the old administrative block gave the school a number of classrooms.

In March 1996 the Board of Governors was reconstituted with Mr. Justice Moses Abekah, a retired High Court Judge in the Chair. In April/May the same year Mr. Scott Dupont, Peace Corps Volunteer took part in a film production, DEADLY VOYAGE and donated his entire purse of approximately one million cedis to the school. This amount was used to construct a summer hut now used by SS 3 Visual Arts students. In September, work on the refrigerator/Dining Assembly Complex was completed and the block handed over.

On the 8 th November 1997 the school celebrated her 15 th Speech & Prize Giving Ceremony. The chairman for the function was Nana Odeneho Gyapong Abadio II, the President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs. The Guest Speaker was Miss Ama Afo Blay, Ag. Director of Secondary Education. During the ceremony, the Regional Minister, Mrs. Esther Lily Nkansah the Special guest of honour commissioned the PTA-sponsored School Clinic. The Old students donated beds for the recovery rooms. They also donated a doctor’s screen and some medical equipment. The year was a remarkably successful one. The school placed first in Barnes Awards Science Competition organized for girls in secondary schools in the region. She also placed first in the STME Clinic Science Quiz organized for girls in the Central and Western Regions. The school also took the first position for two consecutive years(1996 & 1997) in the World Postal Day Debate. Again, Sekco came in secomd in the NCCE quiz for 2 nd cycle schools that year. In connection with the 40 th Anniversary Celebration of Ghana’s independence, a Choral Music Competition was held for schools in the Metropolis. Sekco took the first position. At the regional level, Sekco came first in the Dance and Drama event. Even in the Absence if a playing field, the schools athletes broke records (Javelin) and came in third in the SuperZonals Athletic competitions. The school’s volleyball team won the Regional Milo Girls Volleyball championship trophy that year.

The beginning of 1999 saw the appointment of Mr. Francis Rexford Sam to eh post of Assistant Headmaster (Administration) to replace Ms. Faustina B. Adarquah who was leaving to head to Amenfirman Secondary School, while Mr. John N. Ennor was appointed Assistant Headmaster (Academic) to replace Mrs. Lily Yankson who was proceeding on retirement. On 9 th of June, 1999 the Director-General of Education, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Ekumfi approved a memorandum from the Board of Governors of the school for the reversion of the name, SekondiSecondary Schoolto SEKONDICOLLEGE. The Board contended among other reasons, that not only does the acronym, SEKCO emanate logically from Sekongi College, but that, nothing should be done to obliterate the baptismal name of the school.

In June that year Dr. Yvonne King and IFESH Volunteer teamed up with Miss Jane Kieran a PCV to man the Computer Laboratory, which had been set up through benevolence of an IFESH Volunteer Mr. Sandy Siegel. The latter had sent 14 pieces of computer plus two printers and a fax machine to the school as a gift. Subsequently, by the end of the year a number of the staff (both teaching and non-teaching) received computer tuition while the students formed a Computer Club under the aegis of the two expatriate tutors already mentioned.

IFESH under the Country Directorship of Dr. Kwesi Dzidzienyo, has been one international organization whose milk of human kindness Sekondi College has drunk her fair share. She has come in handy in providing manpower and technological support to the school.

In November of 2000, the School bought another vehicle, a 32 seater Nissan Civilian Bus from her own coffers through the judicious use of her funds under the able dynamic leadership of Mr. J. Osei Yeboah. In the words of the Regional Director of Education, Mr. Yusif Effah “Only progressive headmasters can buy a school bus from their school’s own resources.” In achieving this rare feat however, mention should be made of British American Tobacco (BAT) Takoradi, from whom the bus was bought under very liberal and gracious terms.

In the same month, an Award-Giving Ceremony was held. The occasion was to serve as a prelude to the Golden Jubilee Celebrations the following year. It was made to coincide with the PTA General Meeting for the election of new Officers and the Inauguration of the 7-member Golden Jubilee Planning Committee. The new PTA Chairman was Rev. Joseph Wesley Acquah. After that, the Golden Jubilee Planning Committee Members were sworn into office by the Board Chairman, Justice Moses Abakah. The Members were:

• Mr. Francis Rexford Sam Chairman ( Rep School Administration)
• Rev. Joseph Wesley Acquah Member (Rep PTA)
• Mr. Joseph Abekah Amoah Member (Rep Old Students)
• Ms. Amelia Onelia Cromwell Member (Rep Old Students)
• Ms. Jane Dadzie Member (Rep Non-Treaching Staff)
• Mr. Kamar Deen Majeed Member (Rep Teaching Staff)
• Mr. Kwesi Anwubor Secretary (Rep PTA)

The third part of that day’s program was the Awards Day Ceremony chaired by the outgoing PTA Chairman, Mr. Kish Ato Adum, under whose visionary leadership, the PTA has contributed tremendously to the resettlement efforts of Sekondi College. He was given an award in the form of a gift and a cash prize. In his characteristic selfless manner, he there and then presented the cash prize to Mr. Kenneth Agbomadzi a tutor of the school who won the Regional Best Science Teacher Award.

The year 2001 was a Jubilee year. The 50 th Anniversary of the school was to last throughout the year with the climax in November 2001.

Friday 29 th June was declared a day for fasting and prayers. Two female students of the school had passed away in such close succession that students grew apprehensive and something need to be done about it. Reverend John Wesley Acquah (PTA Chairman), Reverend Atta Boateng, Reverend Fr. Francis Forbah (School Chaplain) and Rev. Fr. Augustine Bentil (Chaplain, St John’s School) officiated. After that powerful session, the last two catholic Fathers sprinkled the Boys’ and Girls’ dormitories. The ceremony greatly provided the needed psychological therapy for the students and put them in the right frame of mind to celebrate the school’s Golden Jubilee.

School went on holidays on the 26 th July, 2001. On 1 st September, the old students (SEKCOSSA Accra-Tema branch) held a fundraising dinner dance at the Aviation Centre, KIA. It was a well organized function which hit the television headlinesthe following day. School resumed on the 12 th September for the last lap of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. The celebrations sprang into full gear in October during which month activities were lined up every weekend. On the 6 th of October the school held a quiz contest at Holy Child College. It involved Fijai Secondary School, Archbishop Porter Girls, GSTS and Sekondi College. GSTS came up tops. On the 13 th of October, the school’s Cadet Corps (AIRFORCE) mounted a cadet parade. GSTS presented two Army Cadet Contingents, APGSS presented one Airforce and one Fire contingents. These teamed up with the SEKCO Airforce cadet and mount cadet parade display pas excellence. The Reviewing Officer was Mr. Willie Halm, Regional Fire Officer, an old boy.

On the 27 th of October, a Gospel Rock Show took place in Skondi. Cindy Thompson, the Gospel Artiste of the year, in conjunction with Mrs. Amy Newman and Pator Joe Beecham gave the audience a night never to be forgotten.

On Friday the 2 nd of November, the penultimate program, a float was organized. The objective was to use it to raise funds in aid of Ghana Heart Foundation in general and little Roberta Ama Essel, a six-year-old hole-in-heart patient. The float started at the first site of the school – Essaman Hill top through Sekondi to new Takoradi roundabout to the second site of the school, Ranchi Barracks. From there floaters went through Takoradi Liberation road to Market Circle and finally ended at Airport round about. It was a highly successful float in terms of organization, (thanks to Mr. Willie Halm, the Regional fire Officer) and in terms of participation by old and present students, staff and the general public.

The Speech & Prize Giving Ceremony was held on Saturday 3 rd November, 2001. the chairman was Nana Prah AgyensaimVI (Member, Council of State). The Guest Speaker was Professor Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi, Minister of Education, with the Special Guest of Honour being the Omanhene of Ashanti Bekwai Nana Kakari Appaw II who deputized for the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. The Speech & Prize-giving Ceremony itself was preceded by colourful durbar of chiefs. The presence of Asonte Mmoa Kuo and Sekyere Nkabom Kuo added the needed cultural touch to welcome the array of chiefs who paraded in full regalia to grace the occasion. Among the dignitaries were Hon. Mrs. Gladys Affairs, Hon. Joseph Boahene Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, Mr. John Budu-Smith, Ag. Director-General of GES, Hon. Joe Baidoo Ansah MP for Effia-Kwesimintsim, Madam Angela Baiden Amissah, MP for Shama, Mr. Kofi Britwum, Regional Director of Education, Hon. Maxwell Kwesi Nkrumah, Metro Chief Executive, Awulae Angama Tu-Agyan II, Omanhene of Gwira Traditional Area and Alhaji Samir kahi, a businessman and an old boy.

The highlights of the awards ceremony was a presentation of a twenty inch colour Television to the Headmaster for the able manner he had administered the school not only for her to regain her fame and glory, but the able manner he worked to accelerate the schools resettlement process, and the presentation of Citation from the old students to the Headmaster in addition to a check of 50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Cedis) by the same body to the school towards the computer laboratory pledge.

As part of the ceremony, the founder’s bust was unveiled. It was erected by his sons and daughters.