Ghana Senior High School, Koforidua

Ghana Senior High School, Koforidua, popularly known as GHANASS ( /ɡəˈnæsː/ ), is a co-educational high school in Koforidua. It was preceded by the establishment of two colleges that ultimately combined into what is currently known as ''The Beacon of the East''.

History

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.

Later developments

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.

Programmes offered

* Business
* General Arts
* General Science
* Home Economics
* Visual Arts
* General Agriculture

Headteachers

Notable Alumni

The alumni association of the school, known as Ghanass Old Students Association (GOSA), 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
* Mark Assibey-Yeboah – Ghanaian politician and member of parliament
* Abeiku Santana – media personality and entrepreneur
* Rebekah Awuah – journalist and news anchor at Ghana Broadcasting Corporation
* Ama Serwah Nerquaye-Tetteh – Secretary-General of the Ghana Commission for UNESCO
* 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
* 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
* Professor Gladys Quartey – academic and former dean of Faculty of Building and Natural Environment at the Takoradi Technical University
* 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
* Raymond Owusu – Ghanaian professional footballer

School Facilities

Below are the facilities provided for the school

* Class Room
* ICT Lab
* Science Lab
* Library

School Code

0020104

References

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High schools in Ghana
Education in the Eastern Region (Ghana)
Koforidua
Mixed schools in Ghana
Boarding schools in Ghana
Educational institutions established in 1943
1943 establishments in Africa