It fell to the lot of an Old Boy of the School - Robert
Thompson Orleans-Pobee, B.A. (London)
M.Ed. (Springfield)-to take over the headmastership after Drury's
departure. Orleans-Pobee, a qualified Physical Education Specialist, joined the
staff in 1953 and went on later to obtain his degree in Classics at the
University of Ghana, Legon in 1963. He took the M.Ed. degree at Springfield University, U.S.A.
He brought diligence and industry to bear on his work, and variety to the
activities of the School. He diversified the extra-curricular activities of the
School by the addition of a Church Choir, Drama, Literary and Debating
Societies, Jazz Band and School Orchestra which enlivened the social and
cultural life of the School. The Band and Orchestra provided concerts and
entertained guests at the School and other places in and around the town. During
the fourth Republic anniversary celebrations in 1964, the School Jazz Band took
part in a series of concerts held at the Black Star Square.
It received ovations for its ‘soulful’ renditions and impressive turn-out. It
was at Adisadel that the first School Jazz Band was formed. Several schools in
Ghana now have Jazz Bands.
Credit must here, be given to two former expatriate members
of the staff the Revd. Clement Guillett and W. D. Godfrey, a Canadian Volunteer,
both gifted musicians who were instrumental in the formation of the School
Orchestra and the Jazz Band respectively. Thanks to the efforts of these two
gentlemen, Adisadel
College boasted of a large repertoire of orchestral and instrumental music at
that time.
Under Orleans-Pobee, the School scored impressive academic
and athletic successes-the results of fruitful co-operation and fine team spirit
among the staff, both Ghanaians and expatriates. Orleans-Pobee took keen
interest in the activities of the Adisadel Old Boys Association, and endeavoured
to strengthen the link between the School and the Old Boys.
An event of historic significance that highlighted the
‘regime’ of Orleans-Pobee was the celebration in July 1970 of the Diamond
Jubilee of the School. The occasion also marked the formal opening of
the new Language Laboratory and Mathematics Rooms by the then Consul-General of
Norway, H. E. Mr. Paul Wallevit. Lt.-Gen. Okatakyie A. A. Afrifa, C.V., D.S.O.,
Chairman of the erstwhile Presidential Commission (an Old Boy) was the Special
Guest of Honour, at the Speech Day ceremony. Nene Azzu Mate Kole, O.B.E., O.V.,
Hon. L.L.D., Konor of Manya Krobo, Odumase, also an Old Boy was the Guest
Speaker. Mrs. Delilah Mercer-Richetts, wife of Dr. H. Mercer-Richetts, M.B.,
Ch.B., (Edin) Veteran Physician, distributed the Prizes. The Most Revd. John
Kodwo Amissah, D.D., D.C.L., Catholic Archbishop of CapeCoast
and Metropolitan of Ghana, then the Chairman of the Council of the University
College of Cape Coast was the Guest Preacher at a service of Praise and
Thanksgiving held in the Canterbury Hall to round off the celebrations on
Sunday, July 5, 1970.
Orleans-Pobee's knowledge and experience in physical
education and sports coupled with his dedication to hard work were recognised
by the authorities when in 1974, he was named Principal of the Specialist Teacher Training
College at Winneba. However, before he could settle down to his new role, he was
appointed Executive-Chairman of the Sports Council of Ghana. That is a credit to
himself and to the School.
One of the outstanding achievements of Orleans-Pobee was his
reliance on Ghanaian staff. By the time he left the School, one could count
expatriate staff in a twinkle of an eye. More conspicuously, "R.T." endeavoured
to encourage more Old Boys to come back to Adisadel to teach.
It was in Orleans-Pobee's time that the new staff block near
the Hopeful's Field was built and it was perhaps appropriate that the students
nicknamed the place "New Orleans".
Apart from its "new" architecture, the new block is a testimony to
Orelans-Pobee's "impatient enthusiasm" to house his staff. More conspicuous is
the new students dormitory - "Ebiradze House" - overlooking the Adisadel main
Sports field which was the baby, so to say, of Orleans-Pobee. And of course, a
lot of the extension work to the science laboratories and the dining hall owe
their existence also to his foresight, initiative and drive.
The present headmaster, Edward Augustus Jonah (Jnr) B.A.
(Hons in English) is also an Old Boy of the School. A graduate of the University of Ghana, Legon, he
also holds a post-graduate Diploma in English (PGDE) and a Certificate of
Education (PGCE) from the Universities of Bangor, North Wales, and
Cape Coast respectively. He was formerly head of the Department of English at
the School and served as part-time lecturer in English Methods at the University
of Cape Coast. Prior to his appointment as headmaster of Adisadel in 1974, he
was a senior tutor at the erstwhile Advanced Teacher Training College, Winneba.
Since he took over, Edward Jonah has been managing the
affairs of the School with quiet efficiency and although his plans are stalled
by financial constraints nevertheless appreciable progress has been made in
various fields. His assistant, Raphael J. Aryeetey, B.A. is also an Old Boy of
the School and an Anglican by denomination. Both seem to share the same ideals
and aspirations of the School to which they both are proud to belong and whose
destiny they are privileged to guide. With the active support and co-operation
of all, Santaclausians as well as friends and well wishers of the School much
should be achieved to the glory of the College.
It seems entirely wonderful to me to observe that Adisadel College has today
developed considerably over the years and has extended over a wide area, with
some of its impressive buildings studding the surrounding hills and dales. Seen
at a distance they lend enchantment to the scenery and add solitary and tranquil
grandeur to the skyline at the outskirts of the historic town of Cape Coast. The
fine views give the surrounding hills resplendent brightness during the day
time.
Aesthetically, Adisadel College could be
described in the words of Charles Dickens, the great English novelist, as "an
image of beauty, changeless and indelible" for the School depicts views that
appear timeless, unspoilt by the ravages of time. The buildings are a blend of
the old and the new-the traditional and the modern. The natural setting serves
to give the College a distinctive appearance, its own character and mood.
Although some of the College, buildings have been
modernised, they retain much of their individuality and charm. In addition to
extensions to some of the old buildings, new ones of impressive design
architecturally, science and classroom blocks, dormitories and staff quarters
have filled up most available space on the compound.
The Science Block contains well-equipped Physics, Chemistry
and Biology laboratories, though at present, there is the urgent need for new
equipment to replace some which have become out of date. The School's Languages
Laboratory is reckoned to be one of the best of its kind so far in country. All
these facilities help to advance the study not only of the sciences but also
modern languages which are indispensable assets to possess in the world today.
Close to the Laboratories is a well-stocked Library
containing several hundreds of books embracing the various disciplines or
branches of knowledge. In stack are current periodicals, magazine, and
newspapers, both local and foreign, which serve to keep the student abreast with
the times.
In a world in which what affects the people in a particular
country, in effect, affects the rest of the world, a student cannot afford to
live in isolation or behind the times. Hence, the immense advantage and
importance of the Library in the cloistered life of the School.
Today the people of the world are avid not only for news but also vital
information and knowledge about current trends and developments. The student
must therefore find his bearings. The Library is the best place for keeping
himself informed and for refreshing his mind. A former Library Prefect has aptly
described the School Library as "the emblem of Adisadel's research facilities,
the recreational ground for those with strong academic inclinations."
The School Library, as it is at present, has been built up
from small beginnings, with stocks of books, mostly literature and literary
production. Some of these were donated by the Rt. Revd. John Orfeur Aglionby,
D.D., of blessed memory, the late Bishop of Accra, whose interest in the
intellectual, mental and spiritual development of the youth of this country led
him to establish a public library in a wing of the King George V Memorial Hall,
(now Parliament House) in Accra. The Library which was originally named after
the Bishop himself - Aglionby Library -has now been developed considerably to
become the magnificent Accra Central Library, serving the needs of all sections
of the people, including students of the various schools in the Accra-Tema
metropolitan area. As was the case of the Adisadel College Library, the Accra
Central Library was started with a small collection of books and periodicals
made available by the Bishop, who spared much of his time, money and energy to
lay the foundation of a lending library, which the Ghana Library Board inherited
and built up to its present country-wide magnitude.
Adjacent to the Canterbury Hall at Adisadel is a spacious
building bearing the inscription "Aglionby Library". This building was
originally put up with money donated by Bishop Aglionby himself to house the
College Library which he gave to the School as a bequest.
Due, however, to the urgent need for more classrooms to cope
with expanding student population, it became imperative to find an alternative
building at another vantage point for the School Library. Hence its present
site. Conveniently sited, the School Library is, by all standards, one of the
best of its kind in the country. It is normally under the charge of a Library
Prefect. Five hundred cedis worth of books was recently presented to the School
Library by the Diocese of Guilford in Britain.
It may be recalled, as a matter of interest, that the
efforts made by Bishop Aglionby to provide library facilities for the students
at Adisadel coupled with the steps taken by Father Knight to inculcate in his
boys the habit of reading and putting the School Library to good use, inspired
young George M. Pitcher to take to library studies in the United Kingdom after
leaving the School. Today, G. M. Pitcher, F.L.A., is head of the Library service
of the University of Science
and Technology, Kumasi.
As
one climbs up to the School compound on Adisadel Hill from the main gate through
the avenues of Royal Palms and flowering plants and shrubs, the gleaming
magnificence of the College buildings comes into view. In the fore-court is a
romantic fountain - "The Awotwi Babies" which originally sprouted out
fascinating chandlier-like cascades while
nimble fresh
water fish, of bright rosy hue swam about sprightly in its sparkling pond below.
This enchanting view contrasts sharply with that of the somewhat quaint village
down hill with its collection of thatched, swish as well as wattle and daub
houses, interspersed, of course, with some modern buildings, reflecting the
changing trends of building construction.
From the hill one has a panoramic view of the
surrounding areas, a forest of evergreen trees and shrubs, meadows, strewn with
wildflowers and threaded by meandering streams and beaten foot-paths. Looking
towards the north-east, there lies Mfantsipim School nestled on Kwabotwe Hill,
in shadowy outline, almost hidden away from view by green foliages of leaves and
blossoms, marked out only by the red roof-tops of its buildings.
Towering high close by, and commanding an
impressive view are the four imposing five-storied blocks of Staff Quarters of
Mfantsipim School. Then, there is the projected magnificent "Centenary Hall".
This proposed edifice estimated at about 500,000.00 cedis was originally planned
to be built from contributions generously made by the Old Boys - the Kwabotweans
- and presented by them as an unsolicited gift to their Alma Mater, for
`nurturing' them to become what they are today, and to mark the Centenary
celebrations, which, happily came off successfully in September 1976.
It is, however, significant to note that during
the Special Speech and Prize Giving Day held in connection with the
celebrations, the former Head of State and Chairman of the erstwhile Supreme
Military Council, then Gen. I. K. Acheampong, CSG., who was the Distinguished
Guest on that occasion, in his key-note address, revealed to the evident delight
of the large gathering that his government had decided to present the School
with a Centenary Hall, appropriately designed and built, to befit the dignity of
that century-old institution. The gift is a token of the government's
appreciation of the role that Mfantsipim has played in the development of
education in the country and to mark the hundredth-year milestone of secondary
education in Ghana.
Adisadel College was indeed happy that she joined
other educational institutions in the country, in saluting Mfantsipim, her elder
sister, and sharing her pride and jubilation on that rare, happy occasion, at
the same time, extending to her warmest congratulations on her outstanding
achievements over the years and wishing her as well, the best in the future.
Looking
southwards, as far as the eye can see, lies the wide expanse of the silvery blue
sea, that glitters like myraids of diamonds in the noon-day sun. Close by the sea, is a sparkling lagoon, lying as
it were, on the
lap of
luxuriant tree-studded lowland almost hemmed in by hills that are beautifully
mirrored on its rippling waves. A little distance away, close to the shore is
the glimmering St. Augustine's
College and a little further to the west, the University of Cape Coast looms large. Its lofty and
beautiful buildings studding the surrounding hills and dales like an aigrette of
stars on the firmament. The environs of Adisadel are extremely picturesque and
notable for the galaxy of impressive buildings housing several other educational
institutions, which include Ghana National College; Aggrey Memorial Secondary
School; Holy Child Secondary School, Wesley Girls' High School at Kakumdu and
St. Peter's Major Seminary at Pedu, all almost at close proximity to each other.
Ideally,
Adisadel College has become the perfect setting for ecclesiastical and social
activities. It is of great significance that the first Provincial Synod of the
Anglican Church of West Africa was held therein 1965. That historic occasion
which took far-reaching decisions affecting the Church of the Province of West
Africa drew as many as 80 Bishops, Clerical and Lay Representatives from
Nigeria, Sierra Leone and the Gambia to Ghana and it was a happy augury that the
College provided a quiet atmosphere for its solemn deliberations, marking as it
was, a milestone in the annals of the Anglican Church of the Province of West
Africa.
The salubrious air as well as the atmosphere of
peace and serenity around make the College and its environs most suitable for
meditations and retreat. Adisadel has other attractions as a congenial spot for
educational conferences, seminars, workshops and excursions. It need not
surprise anyone that some Old Boys of the School delight, indeed, take great
pride in having their wedding solemnised in the College Chapel and rounded off
with refreshments in the spacious Assembly Hall. Indeed, Adisadel College with
its fine buildings, beautiful spots, spacious playing fields and gardens as well
as quintessence of youthfulness, offers such unique opportunities for
educational, social and cultural intercourses with the youth at "the prow and
pleasure at the helm."
At night, the College compound is transformed into
‘day’, bathed as it were, in a flood of fluorescent lights that seem almost to
rival the moon's white rays, filling the still atmosphere around with freshening
coolness. Adisadel College continues to develop and expand at a fairly fast
rate, and it looks as though it will ultimately became a lively centre of an
educational township. Development plans envisaged include a new Administration
Block, a set of classroom blocks and new staff bungalows. The new
1,000-capacity dining hall complex is already in use.
Adisadel College is situated in the midst of an
area with rich, fertile soil, suitable for the cultivation of a wide variety of
food crops. The School has, over the years, maintained a sizeable farm where
seasonable food crops especially vegetables are grown in some cases by the
students themselves who take to backyard farming activities as hobbies or spare
time pursuits.
With the advent in 1972, of the national principle
of "Self-Reliance" and the "Operation Feed Yourself" programme, an impetus has
been given to extensive farming activities at the School. Both the staff and
students are actively involved in this exciting agricultural development.
A 50-acre (or 25 hectare) tract of land has been
set aside for the regular cultivation of various food crops such as cassava,
cocoyam, maize and vegetables of various kinds. P1antain and banana trees are
thriving in a wide area round. A quantity of food stuffs is realised from the
farm. The produce of the farm is used to supplement the food stuff requirements
of the School. A poultry unit is also being run to win the interest of the
students in the rearing of birds.
