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Abuakwa State College Is 80 Years Old Frank Ayim Damptey

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Abuakwa State College Is 80 Years Old

Today, October 11th 2017, Abuakwa State College will join the elite of second cycle schools which are 80 years. Eighty years in the life of any institution cannot be a mean achievement. In commemoration of this milestone the school will celebrate its 80th anniversary celebration and the 29th Speech and Prize giving on the 18th November 2017.The President of Ghana His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo will be the special guest of honour.

The launch of the anniversary took place at the GNAT Hall in Accra on May 25 under the Anniversary theme: ‘Abusco at 80, Providing Quality Education through Discipline and Hard work for Academic Excellence. The guest speaker for the event was former Deputy Director General at the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Professor Alfred Oteng-Yeboah, and was chaired by Board Chairman of Starlife Assurance, Frank Oppong-Yeboah.

The school was the first traditional and community sponsored secondary school to be established in the Eastern province of the then Gold Coast, It was a Secondary School Institution founded by the Okyeman Traditional Council with the original idea of providing secondary school education for sons and daughters within the catchment area .From its humble beginning at Asafo Akim, the school moved to temporary structures within the Kibi Township before moving to its present and permanent location where it has blossomed into one of the best secondary schools in the Country.

Susubiribi is the motto of the school. The magic of this motto is that, it can evolve several interpretations: - Aim at the something worthy; Aim high and let the sky be your limit; - Think; think ahead; don't be indolent; be active; think positively; - Have regard for what is worthy and honorable; - Take measure of what you do or say.

The school has produced a lot of personnel who have and continue to serve our country in all aspects of life. Some illustrious products of the school include none other than the current Okyenhene, Nana Amoatia Ofori Panin. Mr Apenteng Appiah-Menka, Dr Kwakye Marfo, Dr Kwaku Osafo and Col (rtd) Oteng, Asare Konadu (the writer)Comander Addo, Mrs Matilda Amponsah,

It is interesting to know that out of the current 275 members of parliament 3 of them are products of Abuakwa State College. They are Amoako Atta (Atiwa ) Carlos Ahenkora(Tema) and Ahmed Atta(Okaikoi South)

.Kwabena Nkansah Panin the District chief executive of Atiwa and the current Chief Executive Officer Dr Oheneba Owusu Danso are all old students of the school. Mr. Eugene Asante Ofosuhene the Acting Controller and Accountant General is also an old student. Yaa Pono and Mizbel in the entertainment field are also proud products from Abuakwa Sate College

The Ghana Wealth Report for 2015 released by Goodman AMC shows Charles Ampofo a product of Abuakwa State College as the richest person in Ghana. The 65th ranked is also QUINCY SINTIM-ABOAGYE another product of Abuakwa State College.

On the occasion of this 80 years, special thanks goes to some masters who helped shape the destiny of the school. Some notable names are S A Allotey, A N Tetteh, D K Asiedu ,D W Donkor ,S A Birikorang, D M Ankomah ,,A O Botwe E A Preko ,K Antwi-Dako ,Frederick Opoku ,Aniagyei, Oduro Antwi, There was the History master, Mr. Timothy Sola Akinola and his 'Aboa nua' utterance. Old Sam the Latin master, TWK Asem, Miss Gyimah, Mr Kwame Ampene, Mr Peprah, Mr Amoako-Attah, Mr Kwasi Ahwoi, Mr Timothy Panou (French master), Mr Twum-Ampofo (Papacy)Mr Brako, Rev Abrokwah etc

In sports, Abusco was among the best six schools in the country. The school was once the National Hockey Champion. That was the year they held Ghana Police Hockey Team to a one-one draw. Players who distinguished themselves in that game were Kani Twumasi (Goalkeeper) Antony Ayim and Douglas Owardie later joined the National hockey team. Fredua Agyemang Kwadwo also represented the country in the pole vault event for many years. The current Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II became the Eastern Region Table Tennis Champion when he beat reigning champion,Ebo Bartels of Sutesco.

The great school band was once among the top secondary school band in the country. With Snr Danso on Bass, Ametewe on Acoustic and fender Guitar, Willie Bobo on lead, Officer Toro on drums, Frankie Lee- Kwasi Hiango on synthesizer keyboards, Papa Alonzo on Maracas, Yaw Adu, Bob cat and Awuku Darlin on vocals and iron Starling on percussion and congas.

But the journey this far has not been without the frustrations. The Chinese, however, say a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. The seed of Abuakwa State College was sowed in the 1936 and it has over 2000 student population. Academic achievements has not been impressive of recent however the business department has been churning out excellent results.

It is generally held that life begins at 40. But at 80, Abusco has come of age with the appointment of Madam Comfort Odehe as headmistress of the school. The newly appointed headmistress has shown that she is a result oriented person and has set discipline as her hallmark. She is expected to turn the academic fortunes of the school around from average to excellent.

The academic focus is on Arts, Science, Business, Visual Arts and Agricultural Science. The aim of the school is to equip the students with the tools and skills that will help them to develop fully their individual talents and potentials to be able to take their rightful place and play a meaningful role in society.

Yaanom, Duty calls. Abusco, Okyeman and Susu Biribi beckon you. There are a lot of works waiting for hands to do them. Appiah Menka and others have set the pace. What are you doing for your Alma Mater? Come on board and help your school. Stand and defy all odds to help rebuild our great school and reclaim its lost glory. Yes, that is what our motto “Susu Biribi” teaches us. We should think positively. In other words, the sky should be our limit

YAANOM EI YAANO EI YAANOM EEI FRANK AYIM DAMPTEY (VICE PRESIDENT OF OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION)