Reminiscences of Adisadel

CHAPTER TWO

THE SCHOOL TRADITION - "THE ADISADEL SPIRIT"

Interviewed on the concept of "The Adisadel Spirit", W. E. P. Essuman-Gwira (Head Prefect, 1924) said that it meant "Be prepared to serve your school at all times." Dr. C. A. Ackah, first Ghanaian principal of the then University College of Cape Coast (now University of Cape Coast) who was both a student (1923-25) and a tutor (1926-36) of the School agrees entirely with his contemporary, It was (and is) the spirit of self-help and determination to serve Adisadel. That was the propelling force that moved the Topp Yard staff and students to resolve to make the Hill Top of Adisadel the repository of scholarship and fame. Realizing that the contractor put on the project was failing, the Topp Yard con­tingent, guided by John Buckman, laid the foundation for the present day Adisadel College.

 Alan Knight as headmaster was a whole lot of encouragement. He meant to give the School the much needed push. He instituted a Board of Governors for the School and the School Houses were named after dis­tinguished personalities who were directly or indirectly connected with the school. Thus, Primus House became Hamlyn House (named after Bishop Hamlyn, the Founder); Quaque House (after the Revd. Philip Quaque) replaced Secundus; and Elliott House (after the Venerable C. H. Elliott, took the place of Tertius. (Elliott is the first Old Boy of the School to take Holy Orders in fulfillment of the wish of the Founder for trained men for the Church.)

Uniform

It was also under Knight's headmastership that a new formal uniform of white suit designed for church wear replaced the hitherto blue-black coat and straw hat, with the "Kente" as alternative wear. (It is interesting to note that in 1924, a special designed dark-blue blazer with the School's crest embroidered on the breast pocket, was issued for use by the students. That was the first time in the country that a school blazer was ever used).

 Sporting activities were intensified under Alan Knight. Rugger i.e. Rugby football, was introduced and the interest that it generated almost eclipsed that of soccer. In cricket and athletics, the School reigned sup­reme in many competitions with other existing secondary schools, nota­bly, Mfantsipim School, Achimota College and Accra Technical School. For the first time, the "Aggrey Shield" which had always been won by Achimota was brought to Cape Coast by the St. Nicholas boys in 1934.

 Around this time, the School Ode, in which is enshrined the ideals, hopes and aspirations of the School. was composed and set to music by a student, Jack B. Wilmot. Does one doubt that the "Adisadel Spirit" was being born?

 The early thirties were indeed the "moving" years of the now Adisadel College. The School's literary magazine, SANTACLAUSIANS made its - debut and reflected the literary and creative excellence of the boys. Also in appearance was a weekly newsletter, The OWL. This publication, managed and produced by a coterie of writers in the Upper forms, caused quite a stir with its forthright editorials; satirical comments, news tit-bits, gossip and poetry. The newsletter never spared those whom it believed were responsible for the lapses and shortcomings of the School. These publications continue to exist and serve the purposes of educating, infor­ming and entertaining the boys. The OWL has grown to become an ins­titution by itself and is usually exhibited in a glass case at a conspicuous position in front of the Assembly Hall.

 There also existed at one time the "Fifth Form Review". This had the effect of helping to develop the literary talents of the fifth formers who aspired to journalistic or literary excellence.

 Father Knight took personal interest in his boys to the extent of "adopting" some of them. Those boys included J. K. Oppon and J.V.M. Ntow, whom he took along with him to England in his campaign for funds in aid of Adisadel. (Victor Ntow, who later graduated B.A., and LLB., taught at the school for some time after leaving school before furthering his education to become a barrister in the United Kingdom).

 If the Topp Yard to Top Hill boys were "ever prepared" to help themselves, it was Father Knight, ably assisted by S. R. S. Nicholas who provided the conductive atmosphere.

Academic Air

 University graduates were recruited one after the other to teach in the School. At morning assemblies and in the classrooms tutors were required to wear their graduation gowns. This fascinated most of the students who consequently aspired to enter the university and obtain degrees after their formal education. It was an impressive spectacle to see the Headmaster and some of his staff arrayed in their colourful academic robes especially on such occasions as Founder's Day and Visitation Day (otherwise known as the Speech and Prize-Giving Day) which are great social occasions on the calendar of the School.

 The academic air that prevailed had its chain reactions. It produced a new crop of  self-disciplined graduates. Some of the Old Boys who were then on the staff of the School set the ball rolling. They took every possible step to read for degrees of one sort or another through private tutorials and correspondence courses. There were no other facilities for university education available in the country then.

 C. A. Ackah was the first to emerge with a B.A. (Hons) degree in Philosophy, followed by Albert Hammond who notched a B.A. (Hons) in Classics, both as external candidates of the University of London.

 True to the "Adisadel Spirit" of self-help, two Old Boys had achieved what was then considered almost IMPOSSIBLE in the country. No doubt, these successes inspired other scholars, to emulate their examples.

 Those who followed their footsteps included A. M. L. Taylor and C..W. Sackeyfio. Having passed the Inter B.A. examination locally as external students of the University of London, they both later went to Britain, the former to Oxford and the latter to Wales. They eventually returned home with a B.A. (Hons) in Mathematics and B.A. (Hons) in Geography respectively. Before then, another tutor of the School, J. H. Amponsah had similarly won his spurs, graduating B.A. (Hons) in Philosophy of the University of London.

 One student-tutor who did not rest on his oars was C.A. Ackah. It did not take him long to earn in the same grand style, his M.A. (Lond.) degree. He has thus the singular distinction of being the first Ghanaian (or Gold Coaster?) to obtain externally a bachelor's and then a master's degree in Philosophy and Sociology respectively from the University of London entirely by private studies. It was much later when he was appoin­ted Supervisor of students in the United Kingdom and Ireland in the Ghana High Commission in London that he registered as an internal student at the London School of Economics and Political Science where he obtained his Ph.D. (Lond.) degree in Sociology and Moral Philosophy.

 Perhaps we should say a little bit more about Dr. C. A. Ackah who stands out as one of the shining examples of the "Adisadel Spirit". Dr. Ackah is the author of "West Africa - A General Certificate of Geo­graphy", published by the University of London Press. He was formerly senior Geography master of the School (1931-36), and he is a life Member of the British Institute of Philosophy and Member of the British Sociological Association, London. He is also a Foundation Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.       Dr. Ackah delivered the Dr. J. B. Danquah Memorial Lectures in 1969, choosing as his theme "Some Fundamentals in the Political Scene". Several of his writings have appeared in learned journals such as the Journal of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Ghana Journal of Sociology.

 A. M. L. Taylor followed a similar course and took the M.A. and subsequently the D.Phil. degrees in Mathematics at Oxford University. Dr. Taylor rose to become Professor of Mathematics at the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, before his sudden death in April, 1977.

 One cannot seriously talk about the "Adisadel Spirit" without men­tioning the aides of Father Knight, that is, members of his staff. These did not only enrich the intellectual life of the School with their acquired knowledge and expert handling of the subjects they taught; they also won academic distinctions and positions in their various fields later. Dr. C. A. Ackah, M.A., Ph.D. (Lond.) FRGS, became the first Ghanaian Principal of the University College of Cape Coast, Revd. Dr. A. W, E. Appiah, B.A., retired Anglican priest, was the founder and first head­master of Aggrey Memorial Secondary School at Cape Coast; the Rev. Canon H. Tekyi-Mensah, L. Th., is now a retired Arch-deacon of the Anglican Church; A. R. Otoo, B.Sc., (Eng. ) AM ICE, is a retired Civil En­gineer; K. O. Hagan, B.Litt., (Oxon) became deputy director of the Institute of Adult Education, University of Ghana; Albert Hammond, B.A.(Hons.), DipEd., (Lond.), who at one time was Headmaster of the School later became the Executive Secretary of the Arts Council of Ghana; E. B. O. Azu-Mate was formerly director of Students' Welfare at the Ghana High Commission, London; J.M. Awotwe, an authority in Fante, served the School for 33 years and later became a lay magistrate. Those who have passed into eternity include D. Jackson-Davies; J. T. O. Gyebi; E. F. Andrews-Ayeh, K.M.A.C. Ababio and S.G. Amissah, a talented musician, for many years organist and choirmaster of Christ Church, Cape Coast.

 It is perhaps not well known to the present generation of students that in Father Knight's time the School incorporated a Teacher Training College and a Seminary, with the Headmaster himself as Principal and Rector respectively; the former trained teachers for the mission's schools while the latter prepared young men, interested in the work of the Church for ordination into the priesthood. It is significant to note that two of the students of the Seminary are the present Lord Bishops of Accra and Kumasi, the Rt. Revds. I. S. A. LeMaire, GM., D.D., and J. B. Arthur, D.Th., the first Ghanaians to head the Anglican Dioceses of the two cities. Another product of the Seminary is the Rt. Revd. (Major) A.K. Nelson, re­tired Assistant Bishop and Provost of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Accra.

Interesting Developments

 The religious life of the School was taken good care of. Attendance at Church services on Sundays was compulsory. A large hall at Topp Yard was converted into a Chapel where the boys worshipped on Sundays and mass was said daily in the morning before school began for the day. This saved the boys the trouble of walking to and from Christ Church some distance away for the purpose,

 Incidentally, the School Chapel was the first to use The English  Hymnal in place of the standard Hymns: Ancient and Modern which has been in use in all the Churches of the Diocese for many years. It was also the place where the solemn ceremony of "Blessing the Sixth Formers" and "Induction of the Head Prefect" into office, both instituted by Father Knight himself, were first held in the presence of a large congregation, including parents and guardians of the boys.            

The classical fervour of the School reached its zenith with the staging of impressive Greek plays. The first, Antigone, staged in 1934-1935 was intended to mark the School's Silver Jubilee, which was celebrated

with great pomp in 1935. The play was well received by the public. By 8 popular request, there was a repeat performance before a full house at Cape Coast. It was later staged at Sekondi and then moved to Kumasi. The theatrical scenery and the costume of the cast as well as their histrio­nics contributed much to its success. Of course, the success was to the credit of Stephen Nicholas, who planned, selected the cast of actors and produced the play.

 Names are invidious but in this particular play, mention should be made of one of the actors who stole the show and won public commen­dations when Antigone made its debut in 1934. That fellow is Robert K. A. Gardiner who was Commissioner for Economic Planning in the Acheampong government. His histrionics, gestures, mimes and incanta­tions were exceptional. Kweku Atta (as he was called by his fellow mates) was one of the best students of the School; in fact, he was the Head Prefect for 1934, his last year. He taught at the College for sometime in 1935 before going up to Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone to further his education.

 The second Greek Play to be staged by the School was the Agame­mnon in 1936. The third was the Alcestes staged in 1944-1945, under the direction of Robert Tachie-Mensah  an Old Boy (who is now well known as a musician, composer and artist) then on the staff of the School. Ben Brookman was the star artiste who led the chorus. It is interesting to note that in those plays, the narratives were in English but the choruses were rendered in the original Greek.

Building Project

 In connection with the school building project, tribute must be paid to certain public-spirited individuals who freely gave their time and talents to help a noble cause and encouraged the boys to undertake the building of what has now become monuments of self-help at Adisadel. Prominent among them were the late John Buckman, M.B.E., affectionately called in his life time, "Faithful John" and I. R. Fynn. The former, a land sur­veyor resident in Accra, traveled frequently to and from Accra and Cape Coast to supervise work on the site and it was the latter, a local archi­tect, who prepared the site plans of the initial buildings, which compri­sed Hamlyn House, the Acropolis and the Sanatorium and saw to it that they were followed closely by the boys in the construction work.

 "Heaven helps those who help themselves."

 This truism was amply demonstrated in this self-help project. The determination and efforts of the boys evoked public admiration and praise and attracted as well financial support from many quarters both locally and abroad, especially from Britain. The Government came to the aid of the School with a substantial grant which enabled construction work on the rest of the buildings to be carried out with the minimum of delay.

 On December 21, 1936, the magnificent College buildings at Adisadel on the Hill were formally opened by Sir Arnold Hudson, K.C.M.G., the Governor of the then Gold Coast at a memorable ceremony in the presence of Canon Stacy Waddy, D.D., Secretary of S.P.G. the Rt. Revd. J. O. Aglionby, D.D., the Bishop of Accra and a large gathering of distinguished guests, including chiefs from various parts of the country. The Foundation Stone of the new buildings had earlier on the 18th November 1933 been laid by the then Governor of the Gold Coast, Sir Shenton Thomas, G.C.M.G., at a similar memorable function.

Distinctive Edifices

 Scholarship without religion is sterile. The strong religious founda­tion of the School has been duly emphasized at Adisadel and this is reflected in the imposing School Chapel erected on the side of the hill and overlooking the central compound. The Chapel, of a distinctive architec­tural design, is named after St. Nicholas, the Patron Saint of the School, and was built with donations and other contributions made by friends and well-wishers of the School, many of them in Britain. Another striking building is the Clock Tower, the gift of the Contractors who carried out the first phase of the project. Both edifices are built of reinforced concrete with impressive marble finishes.

 In 1937, Father Knight went home with the aim of campaigning for more funds to further the college building programme. But he was destined not to return to his beloved Adisadel. For he was appointed Bishop of Georgestown in British Guiana (now Guyana) by the Arch­bishop of Canterbury, the Primate of all England, His Grace Cosmo Gordon Lang, D.D., obviously in recognition of his dedicated services and the "shining virtues of his head and heart." And so a glorious and stirring chapter in the annals of Adisadel College was brought to a close.

The War And Aftermath

The next headmaster who followed after Alan Knight's departure was another Englishman, the Revd. R. D. Hudson. M. A. (Oxon.) a for­mer Chaplain of Eton College, one of the oldest and most famous public schools in England. The headmaster was a tall fellow with very pleasing personality and noble walking gait. He presented a dignified figure when­ever he appeared in his full clerical robes or academic costumes. He was a great scholar and rugby enthusiast with a keen sense of humour. That endeared him to both the students and the staff.

It was Father Hudson who introduced the study of Science into the School. To start with, he converted a small room in Hamlyn House into a laboratory for scientific experiments. His stay at Adisadel was, unfortu­nately, cut short in 1940, when he was recalled home to serve in the British Army as Chaplain to the Forces, during the war. Father Hudson, evidently inspired by the examples of his predecessors, came to Adisadel, bubbling with new ideas and energy, intent on making some meaningful contribu­tions towards the progress of the School. So, naturally, while the call 'to national service at home was to him an obligation, he seemed to have felt sad that he was not to remain a bit longer at Adisadel to be able to realize his pet dreams for the School. He is said to have left with these poignant words preying on his mind: "So much to do, so little done."

Stephen Nicholas stepped into the Headmaster's shoes once again in 1941. Nicholas whose role as headmaster in the formative years of the School, and as the able lieutenant of Father Knight, has been re­counted earlier on, proved himself to be the life and soul of the School. He managed to keep up the low spirits of the students in those trying days, when the effects of the war was beginning to tell heavily on the boys to the extent of disorganising the life of the School.

 Regrettably, in 1943, Nicholas took up an appointment with the Church Missionary Society in Nigeria, and therefore left for that country where he was subsequently ordained into the priesthood. On his return home on retirement, while doing extra-parochial work, he kept alive his interest in the School to the end of his life in 1974. (The Revd. S.R.S. Nicholas was awarded the M.B.E., for his contributions to education while in Nigeria).

 When Stephen Nicholas left, his place was taken by E. N. Agbettor, B.A., Dip. Ed. (Lond.) a man of quiet disposition from Mfanstipim School, Cape Coast. He was in charge of the School for nearly five years. The second world war was then raging furiously and it was unfortu­nate that he took over the administration of the School when it had almost been disorganised as a result of the war. Although he was sorely beset by many difficulties and problems he worked hard and cheerfully gave his best to the School.

 E. N. Agbettor's tenure of office as headmaster ended in 1947. The next man on whom the mantle of headmaster fell was the Revd. Canon W. G. Harward, M.A. (Oxon.) The new headmaster resumed the school building programme which had been interrupted by the war. He built a block for use as science laboratories and two additional dormitories, one of which was named "Canterbury House" in recognition of the generous support given to the School by the Archbishop of Canterbury, His Grace Gordon Lang: and the other “Knight House” after Archbishop Knight, the "creator" of Adisadel. Canon Harward did much to raise the stan­dard of sports in the School. He was helped by the efficient coaching of the Revd. J.W.A. Howe, B.A. (Oxon) the College Chaplain, his able lieutenant. Harward constructed the long flight of concrete steps leading from the hill down to the playing field below. He also spared no efforts to improve the quality of the teaching staff by recruiting more qualified masters for the School, among other things.

 When Canon Harward left the scene in 1953, there was a succes­sion of headmasters at irregular intervals. Coleman Porter, then Assis­tant Headmaster, acted as Headmaster until Arthur Dee, M.A. (Syd­ney) a former housemaster of Marlborough, a public school in England, took over in 1954. Poor health compelled Arthur Dee to return home for medical attention. Unfortunately, he died after undergoing a sur­gical operation. Albert Hammond, B.A. (Hons.) Dip. Ed. (Lond.) also then Assistant Headmaster, was in the saddle during the interval, until L. W. Fry, M.A., B.Sc. (Oxon.) Assistant Headmaster of Achi­mota School, took over.    A notable feature of his time was the changing of the School uniform from khaki to blue.

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