From the Cantonments-based St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School to the British High Commission neighbouring Ghana Institute of Journalism. Aquinas is so fondly touted for what it stood for and what it birthed in us.
But it was a step to reach another level just as it took an earlier step to land in Cantonments for the three-year-course. That brings me to the club I left before "signing on" for or being signed by St. Thomas Aquinas – Burma Camp Basic School.
I think my old boy is the only person that can explain the real reason why of all the Accra New Town (ANT) and Kotobabi schools, he was bent on enrolling us in the secured walls of Burma Camp. But he is no more, dead men don’t talk – may Allah have mercy on his soul.
Five out of the six of us passed through Burma Camp. Mariam and Sherif were at Kotoka whiles Fuleira, myself and Sheriffa hustled at Complex – as Burma Camp Basic School was then known.
Where we had three set of school fees written on the far left of the blackboard. The lowest being for the ‘military’ followed by the ‘MOD – Ministry of Defense’ and then people like us - the bloody ‘civilians.’
So our old boy opted to pay way more than the ANT and Kotobabi schools charged just so we could be educated at Burma Camp. Add the cost of daily commute and other expenses but we NEVER lacked, we were pretty much okay.
Over the years, we had three broad blocks of students relative to place of residence. Those students who lived in Burma Camp quite sizeable. Those that lived at Labadi – the typical Ga rattling gang that walked to and from school and those of us that lived away from these two places.
Those were without doubt days that one was at their carefree best. One needed an exam or Maths test to get us running around. The maths classes were a cause for worry. Mr Kwarteng, Mr Osei and Bra Ansah – form one to three maths tutors in that order were a handful by all standards.
Mr Abutiate for form 1 French with whips over Transafrique was a stressful mess but for Monsieur Tackie’s intervention in form 2 & 3. That man smoothened and polished the hatred some of us had for French.
How can I forget our local language hustles. Ga was the flat price to pay at the time, the La people were in the lead – I dare say orally. In the end, Anita Owusu Kwartemaa requested Akuapem Twi paper during BECE and was granted even though we all registered for Ga.
From soldier market to Nicolson park, from the post office to the school market – that was merged at a point. From the bookshop to the Congo (or was it Zongo) junction and from Douala hospital to ‘checkpoint,’ those years were laden with memories – personal and collective.
For me, seeing that I cut all nine years moving from one class into the other over the years till the final exit in 2000 is exciting. Ms Martey (my class 4 teacher), Mr Collins (my class 5 teacher) and Mr Gyangba (my class 6 teacher) are a trio I’d hardly ever forget.
I also remember Mr Pepe (Cultural studies), Mr Anku (Pre Tech Skills), Mr Nazagdem (Agric), Mrs Ntim (English), not forgetting Uncle Ekow (the general cleaner for the three schools) – Burma Camp, Kotoka and Garisson.
And the friends from that expedition, those that we started out with and those that joined us midstream. It was a thrilling journey that merits replays. At the risk of being accused of discrimination I'd attempt to mention members of my particular row.
Anita Owusu Kwartemaa
Ramson Ansah (late)
Freda Appiah
Cynthia Odei
Samuel Odame Ampey
Rachel Nyarko
Pearl Mensah
Barani Shaban
Martha Hanson
Millicent Dadzie
Patience (not Ametepe)
Edwin Ennison
Incidentally, Burma Camp remains that stage of my education that I’d give anything to return to. And oh lest I forget, our motto – ‘Aspiration and Achievement.’ What better way to end this. I’m out.
Not so fast: Aside, my row, the Zongo row also clicks well (first names only) - Delphina, Danso, Kate, Nyanyo, Akurantie, Martey (smoke it!), Benjamin (Obrafuor), Sadat (Abochie), Sadat (Akishi), Jesse, Nii Lante, Henry.
As for the two middle rows, it's complicated. They can sort themselves out. Perry worried Esther with Adaasa, Shalline's dipo rites trended sometime sake of the pictures she brought, Anthony sat at the back of his row with who - I can't recall. Elvis had a tortoise in his desk. Daniel and his biology things - it followed him. "Headie" Courage beat Edem Ahadome in school prefect polls - voted with counters.
Dennis drew any and everything, Odette Adjei hated pre-tech for all it was worth. Jamilatu Anafo, we shared a similarity - our elder sisters shared a class - Fuleira Shaban and Hawa Anafo. The nurse of today feared cane too much, it was her injection. And oh Ameerah Baba, how can I forget Ameerah - I haven't.
SP Leslie's Ukedamag brother - was he the school prefect that never was? Koshie Kuwornoo, Ernestina, Celestina, Kaa Dzanie, Officer Fiagbedzi, the Cantonments couple of Josephine Archer and Jerry Oppong, Nana Asante Gyamfi, Patience Ametepe, Albert Ocran Peterson (Belusconi) and those I dared forget to mention - blame it on old age. Burma Camp was a place to be and it was lit way back.
Key UPDATE: Fuseini Bodombie comes to mind, that is if he indeed completed with us - pardon my memory lapse and then another of the Burma Camp girls at the time, surely now 'Lady' Diana Odonkor, now makes the list.
But it was a step to reach another level just as it took an earlier step to land in Cantonments for the three-year-course. That brings me to the club I left before "signing on" for or being signed by St. Thomas Aquinas – Burma Camp Basic School.
I think my old boy is the only person that can explain the real reason why of all the Accra New Town (ANT) and Kotobabi schools, he was bent on enrolling us in the secured walls of Burma Camp. But he is no more, dead men don’t talk – may Allah have mercy on his soul.
Five out of the six of us passed through Burma Camp. Mariam and Sherif were at Kotoka whiles Fuleira, myself and Sheriffa hustled at Complex – as Burma Camp Basic School was then known.
Where we had three set of school fees written on the far left of the blackboard. The lowest being for the ‘military’ followed by the ‘MOD – Ministry of Defense’ and then people like us - the bloody ‘civilians.’
So our old boy opted to pay way more than the ANT and Kotobabi schools charged just so we could be educated at Burma Camp. Add the cost of daily commute and other expenses but we NEVER lacked, we were pretty much okay.
Over the years, we had three broad blocks of students relative to place of residence. Those students who lived in Burma Camp quite sizeable. Those that lived at Labadi – the typical Ga rattling gang that walked to and from school and those of us that lived away from these two places.
Those were without doubt days that one was at their carefree best. One needed an exam or Maths test to get us running around. The maths classes were a cause for worry. Mr Kwarteng, Mr Osei and Bra Ansah – form one to three maths tutors in that order were a handful by all standards.
Mr Abutiate for form 1 French with whips over Transafrique was a stressful mess but for Monsieur Tackie’s intervention in form 2 & 3. That man smoothened and polished the hatred some of us had for French.
How can I forget our local language hustles. Ga was the flat price to pay at the time, the La people were in the lead – I dare say orally. In the end, Anita Owusu Kwartemaa requested Akuapem Twi paper during BECE and was granted even though we all registered for Ga.
From soldier market to Nicolson park, from the post office to the school market – that was merged at a point. From the bookshop to the Congo (or was it Zongo) junction and from Douala hospital to ‘checkpoint,’ those years were laden with memories – personal and collective.
For me, seeing that I cut all nine years moving from one class into the other over the years till the final exit in 2000 is exciting. Ms Martey (my class 4 teacher), Mr Collins (my class 5 teacher) and Mr Gyangba (my class 6 teacher) are a trio I’d hardly ever forget.
I also remember Mr Pepe (Cultural studies), Mr Anku (Pre Tech Skills), Mr Nazagdem (Agric), Mrs Ntim (English), not forgetting Uncle Ekow (the general cleaner for the three schools) – Burma Camp, Kotoka and Garisson.
And the friends from that expedition, those that we started out with and those that joined us midstream. It was a thrilling journey that merits replays. At the risk of being accused of discrimination I'd attempt to mention members of my particular row.
Anita Owusu Kwartemaa
Ramson Ansah (late)
Freda Appiah
Cynthia Odei
Samuel Odame Ampey
Rachel Nyarko
Pearl Mensah
Barani Shaban
Martha Hanson
Millicent Dadzie
Patience (not Ametepe)
Edwin Ennison
Incidentally, Burma Camp remains that stage of my education that I’d give anything to return to. And oh lest I forget, our motto – ‘Aspiration and Achievement.’ What better way to end this. I’m out.
Not so fast: Aside, my row, the Zongo row also clicks well (first names only) - Delphina, Danso, Kate, Nyanyo, Akurantie, Martey (smoke it!), Benjamin (Obrafuor), Sadat (Abochie), Sadat (Akishi), Jesse, Nii Lante, Henry.
As for the two middle rows, it's complicated. They can sort themselves out. Perry worried Esther with Adaasa, Shalline's dipo rites trended sometime sake of the pictures she brought, Anthony sat at the back of his row with who - I can't recall. Elvis had a tortoise in his desk. Daniel and his biology things - it followed him. "Headie" Courage beat Edem Ahadome in school prefect polls - voted with counters.
Dennis drew any and everything, Odette Adjei hated pre-tech for all it was worth. Jamilatu Anafo, we shared a similarity - our elder sisters shared a class - Fuleira Shaban and Hawa Anafo. The nurse of today feared cane too much, it was her injection. And oh Ameerah Baba, how can I forget Ameerah - I haven't.
SP Leslie's Ukedamag brother - was he the school prefect that never was? Koshie Kuwornoo, Ernestina, Celestina, Kaa Dzanie, Officer Fiagbedzi, the Cantonments couple of Josephine Archer and Jerry Oppong, Nana Asante Gyamfi, Patience Ametepe, Albert Ocran Peterson (Belusconi) and those I dared forget to mention - blame it on old age. Burma Camp was a place to be and it was lit way back.
Key UPDATE: Fuseini Bodombie comes to mind, that is if he indeed completed with us - pardon my memory lapse and then another of the Burma Camp girls at the time, surely now 'Lady' Diana Odonkor, now makes the list.
memories in ma mind
ReplyDeleteWow....great piece
ReplyDeleteI'd give anything to return to those days