Ghana Senior High School, Koforidua
| Ghana Senior High School, Koforidua | |
|---|---|
 Ghanass Crest | |
| Address | |
 | |
P.O. Box 129 Effiduase Ghana | |
| Coordinates | 6°06′23″N 0°15′42″W / 6.10634°N 0.2617°W |
| Information | |
| School type | High school Co-educational Boarding/ Residential |
| Motto | Latin: Pro Patria (For Our Fatherland) |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Non-denominational Christian |
| Established | 1943; 82 years ago[3][4] |
| Founder | Fred Addae[1] Francis Adjei-Tetebo |
| Status | Active |
| School board | Board of Governors |
| School district | New Juaben Municipality |
| Authority | Ministry of Education |
| Oversight | Ghana Education Service |
| Headmistress | Mrs. Diana Mintah |
| Staff | 82 teachers, 137 other staff |
| Grades | Forms 1–3 (10th – 12th grades) |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Age range | 14 to 18 years |
| Enrollment | c. 2,300 |
| Education system | Senior High School |
| Language | English |
| Campus | Ghanass Campus |
| Campus size | 1,100 acres (450 ha) |
| Campus type | Residential garden-style Setting[2] |
| Houses | Tetebo Aggrey Frimpong Mposo Kwaku Boateng Nyaniba Juaben Serwaa Nightingale Yaa Asantewaa |
| Colour(s) | Green and Yellow |
| Slogan | Beacon ! Shine ! |
| Song | "We're the Beacon from the East of Ghana" |
| Athletics | Track and Field Volleyball Football |
| Nickname | GHANASS |
| School fees | Covered for students by Free Education Policy |
| Alumni | Ghanass Old Students Association (GOSA)[5] Beacon |
Ghana Senior High School, Koforidua, popularly known as GHANASS (/ɡəˈnæsː/ guh-NAYS), is a co-educational high school in Koforidua.[6] It was preceded by the establishment of two colleges that ultimately combined into what is currently known as The Beacon of the East.[7]
History
[edit]Ghanass previously known as Phoenix College was founded in 1943 by Mr. Fred Addae and Mr. Francis Adjei Tetebo, starting with just 16 boys in a temporary private building. As the student population grew, the school relocated to a new site in 1950, which is now home to the Normal Technical Institute in Koforidua. This move also marked a name change from Phoenix College to Christ College. The school's location changed again to accommodate its expanding student body, this time moving to Effiduase, where it occupied the premises now used by the Effiduase Police Quarters in Koforidua, Ghana. This relocation was made possible by the efforts of Rev. Dr. Nimako, Mr. WT Wutor, and Nana Frempong Mposo II. During this period, Mr. Francis Adjei Tetebo served as the college's principal, following the passing of Mr. Fred Addae, the headmaster.[8]
Later developments
[edit]In 1957, the year that Ghana gained independence, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah on a visit to Koforidua requested a name change of the school from Christ College to Ghana Secondary School. The change was so that the new name could be in line with other government established secondary schools such as the Ghana National College in Cape Coast and the Ghana Secondary Technical School in Takoradi. When the school was absorbed into the public school system, Mr. Daniel Ofori Dankwa who was then a Science teacher at Accra Academy was encouraged to come and steer the affairs of the establishment. In that same year, the first Speech and Prize - Giving Day was organized. The school then had a population of 100 boys and 6 girls with a staff of only 6. By dint of hardwork, Mr D. Ofori Dankwa continued to develop the school until 1974 when he was promoted to Director of Education. He was succeeded by Rev. R. P. Nyarko.
The school now has a population of over two thousand three hundred students (males and females) with a staff population of about eighty well qualified and trained teachers.[9]
Programmes offered
[edit]Headteachers
[edit]| Name | Tenure of Office |
|---|---|
| Mr. Daniel Ofori Dankwa[16] | 1957-1974 |
| Rev. R. P. Nyarko | 1974-1979 |
| Mr. G. A. Frempong | 1979-1983 |
| Mr. R. T. Sackey | 1983-1985 |
| Mr. G. A. Agyepong | 1985-1992 |
| Mr. E. K. Darko | 1992-1996 |
| Mr. S. O. Amaning | 1996-2002 |
| Ms. Rosemond Bampoe | 2002-2011 |
| Rev. Abraham Osei-Donkor[17] | 2011-2018 |
| Mr. Jacob Afful | 2018-2021 |
| Ms. Patience Naki Mensah[18] | 2021-2023 |
| Mrs. Diana Mintah | 2023-present |
Notable Alumni
[edit]The alumni association of the school, known as Ghanass Old Students Association (GOSA),[20] has a proud legacy of producing accomplished individuals who have made their mark in various fields. Some of the alumni include:
- Justice Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu, Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana[21]
- Mark Assibey-Yeboah, Ghanaian politician and member of parliament[22]
- Abeiku Santana, media personality and entrepreneur[23]
- Rebekah Awuah, journalist and news anchor at Ghana Broadcasting Corporation
- Ama Serwah Nerquaye-Tetteh, Secretary-General of the Ghana Commission for UNESCO[24]
- Hayford Akrofi, political activist and architect
- Gifty Oware-Mensah, deputy director of National Service Scheme
- Kurt Okraku, president of the Ghana Football Association
- King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Gã Mantse[25]
- Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Ghanaian diplomat
- Frank Albert Odoom, Former Director General of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT)
- Michael Agyekum Addo, Ghanaian businessman and founder of the KAMA Group of companies
- Professor Lydia Aziato, former dean of nursing and midwifery at the University of Ghana and current vice chancellor of University of Health and Allied Sciences
- Michael Okyere Baafi, member of parliament and deputy minister for trade and industry
- Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, former Minister of transport
- Kwasi Boateng Adjei, member of parliament and former deputy minister for local government
- Gloria Sarfo, actress and media personality
- Ohemaa Mercy, gospel musician
- Angel Maxine, Ghanaian musician
- Okailey Verse, Ghanaian musician, singer and songwriter[26]
- Raymond Owusu, Ghanaian professional footballer
References
[edit]- ^ "GHANASS marks 80th Anniversary with call for aid to address infrastructural deficit". Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
- ^ "GHANASS embarks on tree planting project to mark 80th anniversary". Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
- ^ "Ghana Senior High School Launches 80th anniversary". News Ghana.
- ^ "Ghanass turns 70". Modern Ghana.
- ^ "Old students of GHANASS donate cafeteria, desks, laptop computers to alma mater". Ghana Web.
- ^ "Ghana Senior High School Board Inaugurated". Modern Ghana Web. 5 June 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
- ^ "Ghana Senior High, Koforidua History (GHANASS)". Schools In GH.
- ^ "Ghana Senior High School, Koforidua History (GHANASS)". SchoolsInGh. 2024-11-27. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
- ^ "KOFORIDUA NEW JUABEN:Minister pays surprise visit to schools". ghanadistricts.gov. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
- ^ "Ghana Senior High School, Koforidua". Ghana High Schools.
- ^ "Ghana Senior High School, Koforidua". Ghana High Schools.
- ^ "Ghana Senior High School, Koforidua". Ghana High Schools.
- ^ "Ghana Senior High School, Koforidua". Ghana High Schools.
- ^ "Ghana Senior High School, Koforidua". Ghana High Schools.
- ^ "Ghana Senior High School, Koforidua". Ghana High Schools.
- ^ "Coming of age in Konforidua!…Ghanass, Beacon of the East". Ade Sawyerr.
- ^ "Ghanass turns 70". Modern Ghana.
- ^ "GHANASS headmistress breaks silence after interdiction". Adom Online.
- ^ "Ghana Senior High School holds 68th Anniversary at Koforidua". Vibe Ghana. 11 December 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
- ^ "GHANASS Old Students support Alma Mater with desks". My Joy Online.
- ^ "Justice Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu: Muslim Supreme Court Judge: Biography, Profile". Cover Ghana.
- ^ "Meet Dr Assibey-Yeboah, the man leading Dr Bawumia's charge to restore Ghana's economy". Ghana Web.
- ^ "Abeiku Santana". Despite Media.
- ^ "Mrs Ama Nerquaye-Tetteh's rise to UNESCO top position". The Spectator.
- ^ "GHANASS marks 80th Anniversary with call for aid to address infrastructural deficit". Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
- ^ "Meet OV, the latest Reggae/Dancehall goddess". Ghana Music.