OWASS TOPS ALL AGAIN

  “The heights by which great men reached and kept were not attained by  sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upwards in the night"    - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The above quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his classic poem, "The Ladder of St. Augustine" aptly and wholly captures the spirit and attitude of the Owarean. In other schools where students are chased about for not pursuing serious academic studies, it is ironical that students in OWASS are hunted for “over-mining” deep into the night popularly known as “Exte” in the school. As weird as this may seem, the well-intended efforts of teachers to slow down the intense academic exercise of students have wallowed in the quagmire of futility.

The recent (2012) results of the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate examination (WASSSCE) were very impressive. Interestingly, while many other schools were counting and jubilating at the number of “6As” they recorded, Opoku Ware School was counting for only “8As”. Yes, I said eight because the unprecedented number of “8As” the school recorded this year will not permit them to lend just a fraction of their attention to the “7As” and the  “6As”. So far, a record of over ten “8As” has been confirmed. It is therefore no surprise that THE SCHOOL has constantly been ranked among the first five best schools in Ghana.

It is no wonder THE SCHOOL, as it humbly prides itself has consistently produced prominent people both within and outside the country whose contribution to the development of this dear nation cannot be over-emphasized. The world renowned spinal surgeon, Dr. Ohene Boachie Agyei (G8) who recently performed a spinal surgery on the former president of Ghana, John Agyekum Kuffour is a proud product of this noble institution.

Prof. Boakye-Yiadom (S), former Pro-Vice Chancellor of KNUST,  Mr. Francis Poku (A4, A60?), National Security Minister under the NPP administration,   Dr Richard K Okine, Inventor (C3) (fuel cells) holding several US patents, Prof Christian Nsiah (AM11) national athlete, Olympian and Bus Econs professor at Black Hills State University are but few  owareans (akatakyie) who have distinguished themselves and set the pace in their respective fields.

Other notable owareans (akatakyie) include:

• Dr. Felix Anyah (F209), CEO of Holy Trinity Spa in Sogakope.
• Mr. Martin Esson Benjamin (B53) Chief Executive of the Millennium Development Authority
• Kofi Nsiah Poku(O) CEO of Kinapharma Ltd,
• Ken Kuranchie Managing Editor, Daily Searchlight,
• Bishop George Adjeman, Founder, Winners Chapel Ghana,
• Mr. Joe Mensah (V53), Country General Manager, IBM Ghana,
• John Boadu Deputy Communications Director, NPP,
• Dr Kofi Amoah (J16), CEO Progeny Ventures (Citizen Kofi), chairman CAN 2008 LOC,
• Mr. P. V. Obeng (N28), former Member of the PNDC and Chairman of the Committee of Secretaries 
• Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi (W215) of GIMPA and former NDC Minister of State,
• Prof Ohene Adjei ,CEO Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
• Nana Akuoko Sarpong (Q125) Agogo Manhene,
• Dr. Kwame Barwuah Edusei (O239) of the EO Group and formerly Ghana’s Ambassador to Switzerland and the US
•  Mr. Jacob Osei-Yeboah (AH 125) Independent Presidential Candidate in the 2012 elections
•  Mr. Martin Brobbey (AH7), CEO of Lexta Ltd, suppliers of YAZZ products

 The list is indeed endless.

The success of Owareans has been attributed to a number of factors. Personally, I believe that the sheer determination to succeed and godly fear of the students are the open secret of all owareans. The school’s stable religious foundation has also gone a long way to positively shape the lives of students and instill a strong sense of discipline in them.  We would therefore continue to show our heartfelt gratitude to THE SCHOOL for taking the pains to go through a rigorous and meticulous selection process to ensure that excellent minds with strong moral principles are recruited into the school to compete with one another each and every year.

The benefits the students get from the opportunity to study and compete with intelligent chaps like the Azunres (BC 103), the Aubreys, the Vincents, the BF 48s, and many others are immense. As iron sharpens iron, the students’ marvelous attitude, hunger for success and academic brilliance continue to rub off on one another and inspire them to go the extra mile.

Detailed Analysis of Opoku Ware School's
 2012 academic results

Long live the akatakyie brotherhood. Long live the current headmaster, Mr. Mathew Oppong Mensah, who demonstrably “took us through sofo line” anytime we had accounting lessons. Long live THE SCHOOL, OWASS.