Reminiscences of Adisadel
CHAPTER THREE
THE DRURY DAYS
"Others have laboured and we share their glory." Traditions
are built on traditions, and
Adisadel College can now be said
to have grown out of the traditions established since 1910. The missionaries who
thought of setting up the Grammar School certainly had a good thought. The
Headmasters and staff since Father Knight's stewardship provided the pillars and
it remained for others to add to the foundations already laid.
In 1959. T. J. Drury, M.A. (Cantab.) also from
Achimota School, was appointed
headmaster. His presence at Adisadel saw the signal for an extensive building
programme. Buildings of impressive architectural designs were put up at the
base of the hill facing the main playing field. This development was given an
historical twist by the boys to reflect the circumstances of that time. The area
covering the new buildings down hill was humorously but wittily nicknamed,
"Katanga" to distinguish it from that of the central school compound -
"Leopoldville"- which stood separate on the hill - an obvious reference to the
Congo crisis of 1961/62 when Katanga (now Shaba) a province of the Belgian Congo
(now Zaire) was seeking to secede from the rest of that country.
But Drury's legacy did not end there. In 1960,
Adisadel College celebrated its
Golden Jubilee. A wise and far-seeing administrator as he was, Drury thought out
something that would serve as a fitting monument to commemorate that occasion.
He therefore `invoked' the dominant `Adisadel Spirit' and got the boys round
once again to erect by their own labours a Sports Pavilion which now forms a
significant feature of the College Playing Field. A Gymnasium which was also
built by the boys themselves by communal labour as a result of his inspiration,
for the development of physical culture at the School has been named after him.
The beautiful "Jubilee House" stands as a fitting monument, commemorating the
School's Golden Jubilee.
Besides, Drury sought to expand the curriculum of the
School. He did not scorn the study of the Classics which had been something in
the nature of an heirloom in the School, though to all intents and purposes, it
was obvious that the Classics had had their day. To move abreast with this trend
of development, and to meet the contemporary needs of the School, he considered
it a pressing necessity to encourage and promote the study of the various
branches of Science in place of Greek which he abolished on his own initiative.
He also turned the School which had hitherto been admitting "day boys" into an
entirely boarding establishment, to ensure the effective development of the
spiritual, moral, intellectual and physical potentials of the boys.
Drury established a Cadet Corps which continues to be
extremely popular with the boys, particularly those who are fascinated by the
lure of the Army and plan to settle for it as a career. Moreover, he placed a
premium on the quality of his staff. He therefore recruited masters who had a
strong sense of vocation, and who were not only loyal to him but actually gave
him the much-needed co-operation and support in his task. He rallied the staff
by his own examples which inspired them to give of their best to the School.
Drury thus won the esteem, confidence and affection of both
the staff and the students so that his departure from the School in 1963 after
five years of devoted service, was deeply felt by the whole School. Like Alan
Knight, Drury not only did much for the School but actually stamped his imprint
or image on the School as an architect who towered high above his
contemporaries.
A significant highlight of Drury's time worth recording here
was the visit in 1961 of His Grace Dr. Arthur Michael Ramsey, D.D., then
Archbishop-designate of
Canterbury.
The Archbishop's visit marked the commissioning of the new Science Block. The
opening ceremony was performed by the Primate himself in the presence of - a
mixed gathering of people including dignitaries of the Church and State from far
and near.
In 1960,
Adisadel College celebrated her
Golden Jubilee. It was a happy occasion not only for the students and Old Boys
of the School but generally for the Anglican community in Ghana. The College was
a missionary enterprise and so the Anglican Church was fully committed to the
celebrations and took pride in commemorating the achievements of the School
during that period. `
An important personage who was one of those specially
invited to take part in the historic celebrations was his Grace Alan John
Knight, C.M.G., D.D., the Archbishop of the West Indies, a former headmaster of
the School, affectionately called `Father Knight' by his boys in his time. It
was therefore a happy and welcome gesture that in 1960, on the occasion of the
School's Golden Jubilee, the Prelate had the opportunity to come back to
Ghana not only to see the School
which he created but also to witness the celebration of that historic event,
this time in the full glory of an Archbishop. The occasion was one that many Old
Boys had long looked forward to, and naturally, it presented to them an
opportunity of a life time that could hardly be missed. The Old Boys in fact
came in their numbers and almost all generations of students of the School were
represented at the celebrations.
Archbishop Knight was deservingly given a hero's welcome
when he arrived in Ghana
on June 30, 1960. At the Accra airport, before he could descend from the gangway
of the plane, the Archbishop was swept off his feet and borne shoulder-high by
his own boys and carried across the tarmac to the reception hall amid cheers and
singing of the School ‘Ode'. Obviously, Archbishop Knight was taken by pleasant
surprise by this display of affection for him but that was a foretaste of what
awaited him at Adisadel, his own "kingdom", so to speak!
Expectedly, Archbishop Knight had a triumphant entry into
Adisadel. It was apparent that the Prelate found himself lost in wonder and
surprise when he set foot at the College, not so much because of the extent of
development that had taken place there since he left the country in 1937, but
for the sincerity and warmth of the welcome accorded him by his own boys many of
whom he found occupying positions of trust and responsibility in various
spheres of the national life.
Doubtless, amidst the warm handshakes and hearty laughter of
his boys, memories of his bygone days at the School raced through his mind. The
Archbishop looked exceedingly pleased to be back home to be with his own boys!
In connection with the Golden Jubilee Celebrations, a
special programme of events and activities drawn up for that occasion was
executed successfully not only in the best tradition of the School but also with
the characteristic religious fervour of the Anglican Church. For, that historic
occasion was as much for the School as it was for the Church, marking as it was
an important milestone in the Church's history. A Special Golden Jubilee cloth
was designed and many Santaclausians, young and old, as well as members of the
Anglican communion of both sexes, appeared resplendent in it throughout the
celebrations.
The celebrations started on
the 6th July, 1960 with an
Exhibition which was formally opened by Kojo Botsio, who is himself an Old Boy,
then Minister of Agriculture and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs in the
government of the First Republic.
Displayed items of science and arts and crafts, the handiwork of the students
themselves, were viewed by many visitors including excited parents and guardians
of the students.
The traditional drums throbbed vigorously, while yells and
cheers by the boys rose to a crescendo when Archbishop Knight arrived at the
College on the 7th July. His Grace arrived in the company of His Lordship the
then Bishop of Accra, the Rt. Revd. Richard R. Roseveare, S.S.M. They were
received by members of the Golden Jubilee Organising Committee including J. E.
Hagan, then the Central Regional Commissioner who is also an Old Boy.
It is worthy to note that Archbishop Knight was escorted all
the way from Accra to
Cape Coast by prominent Old Boys
in a procession of cars. At
Cape
Coast,
the convoy passed through the principal streets, amidst continuous tooting of
horns which attracted responsive cheers from the people. The scene could well be
likened to a carnival or victory parade.
For the `lucky students' of the School who were privileged to
witness history in the making right before their own eyes, all the magic of
youth and the joys of those happy moments were theirs!
The main event on the third day was the formal opening of
the new Sports Pavilion built by the students themselves out of their own sweat.
The function which featured a keenly contested football match between Quaque
House and "The Rest" (it ended in a draw, each side scoring a goal) was indeed
remarkable and significant in its essence.
It was `remarkable' for the reason that it highlighted, once
more, the Santaclausian belief in the dignity of labour and self-help, reflected
in the spontaneous spirit with which the student volunteers laboured to put up
the Pavilion. And it was 'significant' because it was appropriate and symbolic
that Archbishop Knight who was privileged to open the Pavilion was himself the
moving spirit who inspired the self-help efforts of the School and led his boys
to give practical demonstration of that spirit, when he was the headmaster of
the School.
The event of the fourth day was a great procession by the
students from the College to
Christ Church, a distance of
about six kilometers. To the accompaniment of brass band music, the procession
formed by the then existing six school houses, each led by a banner, started
from the College compound. On reaching the main road, the procession paused as
the Archbishop blessed the new decorative
Iron Gate presented to the School by James Mercer, an Old Boy.
Enthusiastically singing the Jubilee song the procession continued, inviting
along the route, excited men, women and children, who apparently could not help
but throw in their lot and share in the happy mood of that occasion. The Head
Prefect of the day, N. T. Quao, graphically described the scene in this striking
way: "Like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, we lured many people to accompany us to
our destination - but it was not to their destruction but to their salvation -
to Christ Church!" And
so, significantly, Adisadel College in one of her glorious moments brought
joy-and salvation-to the good people of Cape Coast!
After the solemn Service of Praise and Thanksgiving to God
in the Church, for the manifold blessings bestowed upon the School which enabled
it to weather the storms for a period of half a century, the scene shifted to
the Government Gardens nearby, where the congregation reinforced by excited
spectators, had the opportunity of meeting Archbishop Knight informally at a
Grand Reception and hearing the Prelate give a stimulating and witty address
that served as refreshing water to many thirsty lips and throats. Archbishop
Knight is, of course, no stranger to
Cape Coast and, naturally, the
people-Oguaafo-felt much elated and proud to have him back in their midst, a
dignified Prelate and shepherd of his flock!
Saturday dawned and the hour struck for the long expected
Speech and Prize-Giving Ceremony-at
4 p.m. Earlier in the morning a
special Display by the College Cadet Corps had been reviewed by K. A. Gbedema
also an Old Boy, then Minister of Finance and Minister for Presidential Affairs.
The Minister later unveiled a Commemorative Plaque on one of the new buildings
and promised a handsome donation towards the building of a Gymnasium for the
School. Silver-collection yielded a substantial amount of £500.
The Canterbury Hall, filled to overflowing was the scene of
colour and animation when the ceremony took place. The occasion, of course a
special one with a difference, was held under the distinguished chairmanship of
the Lord Bishop of Accra, with Archbishop Knight as the Guest Speaker. Mrs.
Ruth Botsio, wife of the then Minister of Agriculture and Parliamentary
Affairs, Kojo Botsio, distributed the Prizes. Among the distinguished guests was
A. J. Dowuona-Hammond the then Minister of Education. The function lost none of
the traditional Santaclausian fervour and came off with great eclat! In
the evening, the visitors were treated to a Physical Training Display followed
later by the staging of a Masque which depicted episodes and other interesting
events in the 50-year history of the School.
The celebration entered its last day on Sunday when a
Pontifical High Mass was sung in the morning followed by an Evening Song in the
evening. The preacher was Archbishop Knight himself. The services were a fitting
climax to the week-long celebrations which, no doubt left an indelible
impression in the minds of all. The day ended with a Film Show depicting aspects
of life and activities at the School. The film the first ever school film, was
produced by Adisadel Film Unit. Earlier in the afternoon, there was
a meeting of Old Boys with Archbishop Knight as the Guest of Honour. The joy and
happiness that pervade the meeting could well be imagined than described. It
brought back nostalgic memories of the "good old days" to many minds.
The students were determined not to be left entirely out of
the picture. So on Monday night, they organised a Grand Dance at the Great
Hall. It was a spirited occasion for the boys themselves and the enjoyed every
minute of it! Boys and girls from the sister schools in town were invited and
they helped to add more excitement to an historic event.
It should be noted that the Golden Jubilee of Adisadel
College almost coincided with
Ghana's Republic Day
celebrations. Archbishop Knight was one of those distinguished personalities
from various parts the world invited by the Ghana Government to witness the
ceremonies marking the inauguration of Ghana as a Republic within the
Commonwealth. Archbishop Knight was therefore the honoured Guest of the State
as well as of the School. Both the Archbishop and the Bishop of Accra were
present together at the Inauguration Ceremony and other related functions.
Archbishop Knight spent, in all, five crowded days at the
College and took the opportunity to visit Sekondi-Takoradi, Kumasi, Tamale and
Accra in all of which he was feted by happy groups of Old Boys from all walks of
life. At Ashanti-Mampong, His Grace acquainted himself with the work of the
Sisters of the Order of the Holy Paraclete (OHP) in the field of girls'
education.
It is notable that during his short visit, Archbishop Knight
gave a record of altogether sixty-six speeches and preached stirring sermons in
the Holy Trinity Cathedral and St. Mary's in
Accra, as well as in the
Churches at Cape Coast, Sekondi, and Kumasi, and endeared himself to all
wherever he went. Understandably, when after the celebrations and the hour came
for the Archbishop to say "Goodbye" and return to his archdiocese in the West
Indies, His Grace found himself torn between two worlds! The parting scene was
touching! It had an element of pathos! It was indeed a great wrench for the Old
Boys to part with their beloved Father in God.
Archbishop Knight finally boarded the plane. And as the
aircraft throttled up, gathered speed and zoomed off many handkerchiefs waved
furiously amid murmurs of "God Speed You" until it was overshadowed by the
fleecy clouds and was lost to sight! Thus, the curtain was drawn over another
chapter in the history of Adisadel!
In 1974, the Anglican Church of Ghana celebrated the 222nd
anniversary of her foundation in
1752. In a special message of
"affectionate greetings and good wishes" sent to the Church, Archbishop Knight
fondly recalled his days as headmaster and also the period during which he
served as Priest in charge of Christ Church, Cape Coast and asserted that he
deemed himself "privileged to be numbered among the Oguaafo for all time."
Referring to his return visit to Ghana in 1960 Archbishop
Knight wrote: "My return visit in 1960 at the invitation of the Ghana Government
on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Adisadel College made possible by the
generosity of the Old Santaclausian Association remains in my mind as one of the
most delightful experiences of my life and with the unfading hope that it may
some day be repeated."
It is significant that Archbishop Knight should consider
himself to "belong to
Ghana" in a very real sense. This is only stating the obvious. For no expatriate
headmaster of the School ever had such a close affinity with the people of Cape
Coast and for that matter, Ghana, more than Father Knight. This, coupled with
the fact that the three present Bishops of the Anglican Church of Ghana were at
one time his theological students whom he trained and guided along the path of
virtue and truth towards the high and noble calling of the Priesthood should
naturally give him pride and satisfaction in the knowledge that his work in
Ghana both in the religious and educational spheres have been most fruitful!
To end a chapter on the DRURY DAYS it may be pertinent to
remember a few facts. With a student population of about 525 and staff strength
of 30, Adisadel indeed could be said to have expanded quite a lot. Subjects
taught at this time included English (Language and Literature), Geography,
French, Divinity, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Elementary Maths, Additional
Maths, French, Latin, Greek (for some time), Ghanaian Languages, Music, Health
Science. At the Advanced Level, Zoology, Botany and Pure Mathematics were also
offered. This gives an idea of the broadened scope of the curricular. It is also
a matter of pride that J. M. Addo held the national High Jump record, that the
headmaster himself, T. J. Drury, was a member of the national cricket team, that
K. A. Gbedema and Kojo Botsio were holding ministerial posts and that James
Mercer was the Chairman of the Ghana Airways.
It was also in the Drury days that
Adisadel College beat Achimota
School in hockey for the first time in 17 years. Squadron Leader C. W.
Stanley-Pierre (Retired), Director, Department of Rural Development remembers
with pride: "I like particularly the students' togetherness, the School itself
(location on the hill, the buildings, fountain and a beautiful Chapel) and, of
course, the reputation in sports!"
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