Moving to Axim meant I did not get the chance to attend my desired school; St. Johns or Fijai. My dad was transferred and he preferred me as a day student. One of my favorite teachers, Mr Kwamena Arthur, was a tutor of the Business class.He handled Business Management. My favourite topic was Insurance. His teaching style was practical and he gave logical explanations for easy comprehension. He made his lessons so tangible by using practical examples from the corporate world. That particular topic always caused an uproar in class with varying views and opinions.

I shared a unique bond with him, I guess it was because I was always active in his class, be it answering questions or cracking funny jokes to diffuse tension. In my third year, my parents decided I would complete by going to the boarding house. Unfortunately, I could inform Mr Arthur about this new plan of joining the boarding house in the third year.  At the time, he found out I had already made full payment towards the boarding fee. In spite of this, and after my first month in the boarding house, he asked if I was going to be fine moving to live in the bungalow with him. I responded positively. There were two other colleagues of mine who also came to live in the same bungalow. One other Economics teacher was also in the same compound. With time our bond grew stronger than ever. During holidays, I  sometimes spend some good time at his residence in Takoradi.

I am still in touch with Mr Kwamena Arthur. He is now at the National Health Insurance Authority in one of the sub-metros in Sekondi-Takoradi. I also work in the health sector as a Hospital Administrator. I usually seek his input in some plans of mine. Like Mr. Arthur more teachers can draw inspiration from the corporate world to make their classes more practical. They can also invite resource persons who have the know-how to specific topics to provide students with different opinions on issues. 

Education has become dynamic. We all have a part to play; teachers, the community and family. The government should invest well in vocational education. If we can also have an aspect of mandatory 2nd language for various levels, it will help us level up to the competition from other countries. 

My Final words Mr Arthur will be; “Daddy, I want to thank you a lot for the intervention you had during my SHS days and you took it upon yourself to actually allow me to come and live with you. It was a major breakthrough for me. Mr Kwamena Arthur. God bless you”

Stephen completed Nsein Senior High School, Axim in 2004. Did you attend Nsein Senior High School too? Were you a student of Mr Kwamena Arthur? Share your experience about how he impacted your life in the comment section.Do you have a teacher who motivated and impacted your life in a way that made you who you are today? Share with us on “My Teacher Story”. Share this story, give it a like and do follow us on our social media handles @WeGo Innovate on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube and LinkedIn

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My Class, Science One, was a very unique one. We, the students, were very brilliant but also talkative and headstrong. This was very unusual for a Science class. Due to this, my class had literally seen all the corners of the school as a result  of different punishments we received. However, our class was also the first group of students to make it to the Brilla Science and Maths Quiz in 1998. We were talkative but we also  had the best tutors at the time.

Mr Adraku was a very popular Chemistry teacher in that region. Students of other schools wanted to be tutored by him while on holidays and those who got the chance were glad they did. He wasn’t your quintessential scary thick tall man with a deep voice. He was very jovial, down to earth and very receptive when we had to go to the laboratory for experiments. If there is anything I remember of him, it is his desire to have his students read ahead of him. After every class, he would point out the next lesson and expect us to do our private studies. He always reiterated the importance of reading ahead. I really benefited from this advice when I started practicing it. 

“I can feel from your faces that this is not what you expected with regards to Elective Math, it’s a difficult subject, but when you give it your best, you’ll excel. There are more things to come, but always brace yourself for future difficulties.” These were the first words of advice we received from  Mr Robert Boateng aka R Boat during our first Elective Math lesson with him at St. Thomas Aquinas. This was truly the mark of R Boat; an honest man who never sugar coated anything to make us feel good. He was blunt and this made us see life practically and with a problem solving attitude. It translated into our elective maths classes with R Boat. His physical appearance was also one for the books; always impeccably dressed and neat with a nice tuck-in. 

These teachers stood out for me because they both made me love their subjects. They made their lessons interesting and spiced it up with some life experiences that would go on to help us whenever we faced similar situations. We still revere these teachers whenever we talk about them on any school platform. We owe our success in our SSCE and where we are in life today to these men. 

Senior High School years are the formative years for any adolescent, so I would entreat all teachers to pay attention to the academic and personal growth of their students. Aside from stuff in the syllabus, sharing your life lessons motivates students. I believe this is something all teachers can learn from R Boat and Mr Adraku. 

 “To Rev Father Batsa our headmaster at the time, To Mr. R Boat, Mr Adraku (May his soul rest in peace), Mr. Tagoe aka Attoranks, and all the other teachers of St. Thomas Aquinas at the time, I really appreciate the impact that you all had on me during my juvenile years, for the inspiration and motivation to become better persons in future, I am grateful.”

Clement Asante Buabeng attended St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, Cantonments Accra from 1996-1998. Did you attend St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, too? Were you a student of Mr Robert Boateng and Mr. Adraku?  Share your experience about how they impacted your life in the comment section. 

Do you have a teacher who motivated and impacted your life in a way that made you who you are today? Share with us on “My Teacher Story”. Share this story, give it a like and do follow us on our social media handles @WeGo Innovate on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube and LinkedIn

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Growing up in Takoradi, my father ensured my siblings and I had access to the best of education. We attended Young Christian Basic School, which was one of the top private schools in Takoradi that time. It was very competitive with my colleagues and me striving to outdo each other every term. 

The seriousness of the students was directly proportional to the level of seriousness exhibited by the teachers of the school. Mr. Seth Okantey a.k.a Researcher was no exception. All our seniors painted horrid stories of the monster he was. How we should brace ourselves for the very worst when we would become his students in junior high school.

I remember peering out the window of my classroom and seeing Mr. Seth Okantey as he seriously strutted down the hall of the junior high division of the school with his big books- the reason he was nicknamed “Researcher”- and cane in hand. At that moment I said to myself “I wouldn’t want to be a student of this man at all”. Alas, this prayer was not answered and before I knew it, it was time to be his student. The image of a man who was always carrying heavy books and a cane had now become a reality. 

I didn’t have a lot of self-confidence growing up, so there were a lot of things I didn’t believe I could ever excel in, Mathematics was one of those things. Due to this, I also towed along the line of “Math is difficult”. Truth be told, I was not the biggest fan of Mathematics before I became his student. I‘Researcher’ took up the challenge of dispelling those claims with utmost ease. He made my colleagues and I realize we could actually solve Math problems. Mr.Okantey would take his time and go step by step. He made references to our environment so that you could relate to the Maths problem.

His style of teaching was excellent such that I lost the interest in “chew and pour.” He entreated us to understand and apply what we understood in our own way. Also, the fair balance between being friendly and still strict was admirable. With time, he didn’t seem like the scary monster we were introduced to anymore. His classes were mostly fun and exciting. I recall some instances where he used some scientific terms to make fun of us like: “I will disintegrate you!” He was jovial, but never spared the opportunity to discipline us when the need arose. 

During the BECE, it was a breeze to write the Mathematics paper and I managed to get a “1”. That was a turning point in my life because in such a short time, my self-doubt and low self-esteem were a thing of the past and I was certain that there was nothing I couldn’t achieve once I set my mind to it.

Fast forward to Senior high school where I studied General Science, some of my colleagues and I came back to ‘Researcher’ for extra classes which he gladly did. We even had the added bonus of a three in one class session which consisted of Physics, Elective and Core Mathematics. I’m glad I grew to love Math as it has become an integral part of my life as a Business developer and business/ Data Analyst and Digital Marketer.

To anyone reading this, it is natural to think you do not like your teacher or vice versa because they discipline you. Try to see life from your teacher’s perspective as someone who would love to see you prosper and open your mind and accommodate them. Also do not say there is a subject you do not like; anyone can do whatever they set their mind to, including you!

To Mr. Seth Okantey; “The little things you did made such a huge impact on me and I owe a huge part of my life story to you. I will keep mentioning your name anywhere I go. You have made the world a better place through me. Thank you”

Abdul Rahim completed Young Christian Basic School in 2006.  Did you attend Young Christian Basic School too? Were you a student of Mr. Seth Okantey a.k.a. Researcher? Share your experience about how he impacted your life in the comments section. Also, don’t hesitate to let us know what you think of Mr. Seth Okantey a.k.a. Researcher methods? Do you have a teacher who motivated and impacted your life in a way that made you who you are today? Share with us on “My Teacher Story”. Share this story, give it a like and do follow us on our social media handles @We Go Innovate on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube and LinkedIn

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 Mrs. Comfort Antwi was my head teacher in Burma Camp basic school. She was the epitome of grace and poise. She stood for all I could become in the future and more and that excited me. It was no mean achievement to be one of the three girls to clean her office as grounds work. Well, being one of the best students who always swept most awards at PTA and speech and prize giving day had its perks. 

I remember her as a very firm and fair woman who was always attentive to the needs of her pupils. After every term, she used to call me to her office and say “Esinam, this is good but you can definitely do better”. Even though I was just in primary school then, she encouraged me to strive for better things. Another person who was constantly motivating me to do better was my Math teacher in junior high, Mr. Ansah. He made Mathematics  feasible because of his patience and tolerance 

I was anxious to be leaving Burma Camp basic school to a different junior high but I was excited to be reunited with Mrs Antwi. Not only did Mrs. Antwi transfer to Services Basic School as headteacher, another teacher, Mr Ansah joined too! That’s not all, my best friend joined the party after some time and my heart was full. 

Moving to a new school altered the tempo of my academic performance, as I was largely focused on fitting in rather than my academics. Mrs. Antwi noticed I was struggling and would call me to her office and have short conversations with me around my report card. By this, I could tell she paid ample attention to the signing of report cards of her pupils every term and noticed changes for the good or bad. I felt loved, appreciated and encouraged. Even though she never took me through a class, her words of wisdom passed down through our short conversations were enough to make my week positive and full of life, on a high. Because of this, I always tried to do my best.

Mr. Ansah a.k.a “Bra Ansah”was another driving force in steering me in the right direction. He was known as a stern and thorough teacher. Bra Ansah rarely sat in the staff office, he had a desk under the tree at the far end of the JHS block. Whenever he said “See me”, it would mean a one-one one session with him under the tree. He was happy when we did well and  so patient when it got frustrating.Once you availed yourself, he would sit you down and walk you through the processes.. It was in one of those sessions that he had the most patience to take me through an exam paper I did not do well in. His patience and willingness to go over every problem one by one was awe inspiring. Those little moments were always valuable to me.  

These two individuals are full proof that teachers should be authentic because students can tell the genuine interest and passion in the way you carry yourself as an educator. Also teachers should take holistic approaches to impacting their students with knowledge, not just classroom work. 

I think I have grown to mirror Mrs. Antwi’s very firm and fair nature. As a woman in education, I realize day-in, day-out that teachers have so much influence and transformation power over their student’s life and should use it positively. 

To Mr. Ansah: “I am so grateful for that day under the tree when you took me through all the parts I had wrong in that test. I appreciate the patience, love and care when you worked with me through those problems. I really appreciate you. I turned out well just fine which I know you’d be proud of me.”

To Mrs. Comfort Antwi: “I am so grateful for your love, discipline and guidance. You were a positive role model to me on what girls could be and achieve.  Through primary to JHS, you were amazing. I loved the opportunity to see you and be a part of your life the way I was. Thank you and I hope I made you proud”

We appreciate your efforts, dear teachers. Keep going the extra mile. 

Pierina Ladzekpo completed Services Junior High School in 2005.  Did you attend Services JHS too? Were you a student of MR Ansah? Was Mrs. Comfort Antwi also your head teacher? Share your experience about how they impacted your life in the comments section. 

Also, don’t hesitate to let us know what you think of Mrs. Comfort Antwi and Mr. Ansah. Do you have a teacher who motivated and impacted your life in a way that made you who you are today? Share with us on “My Teacher Story”. Share this story, give it a like and do follow us on our social media Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube and Linkedin

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Mr.Adomako was my teacher in class 2 at Wenchi Model School. He was a gentleman. Oftentimes, he would gather us under the mango tree in the compound where we would tell stories, or he would get to know us better. He had a unique approach to teaching. His lessons were extremely practical and easy to understand. He encouraged us to learn constantly, to be hungry for knowledge. Mr. Adomako explained that it was the only way that we would be successful. Even in the times where he would punish us, he would ask us to decide the punishment we wanted. He respected our opinions even though we were kids.

Most people don’t know but my name was Catherina and not Catherine as they know now. Mr. Adomako saw something in me all those years ago. Out of the blue, he told me that he was changing the ‘a’ at the end of my name Catherina to ‘e’ making it Catherine. Why did he change my name? Mr. Adomako said the name which he had bestowed upon me ‘Catherine’ was the name of a successful woman. And by all indications I, Catherine, was going to be successful. I asked him how it would be pronounced, and he taught me and I repeated it to myself. From then on, my name became Catherine. 

The truth is my family was poor. My mother sometimes had to sell or sometimes request for support to feed us, me and my six other siblings. Others would have thought it would be impossible but as young as I was, I believed this prophecy that Mr. Adomako, my teacher had proclaimed. 

After leaving Mr. Adomako’s class his prophecy stayed with me I, Catherine Kuupol was going to succeed. Thus, in everything I did, I did it to the best of my ability. And I remained honest with myself in all things I did. I remember in university I was offered Physics. I was honest to myself because I knew that it wasn’t something that I wanted. So rather than just accept and live with regret I changed to study Mineral Engineering at the School of Mines especially since it involved Mathematics and Chemistry, my favorite subjects. It was the best decision I ever made. This honesty that I taught myself has helped me through life. From my time at OLA Girls’ Kenyasi to completing my Master’s degree and now being a PhD Candidate. 

Today Mr.Adomako’s prophecy he made all those years ago has come true. I am a successful woman. I am the first female Head of Metallurgical Department in the whole of Gold Fields West Africa and the only female manager in the Damang Mine. I am not the only one. All my classmates are doing well too; Accountants, engineers, military personnel and so on. 

If I meet Mr. Adomako today I will give him a big hug. “Mr. Adomako, you gave me a positive mindset about myself. You prophesied to me that I was going to be a successful woman. I accepted it. That acceptance made it easy for me to achieve it. You changed my life and made me who I am today. It is a great honour to have been your student.” 

Catherine is an old student of Wenchi Model Schools, a member of the 1987 graduating class. Did you attend Wenchi Model Schools too? Was Mr. Adomako your teacher? Share your experience about how he impacted your life in the comment section.

Do you have a teacher who motivated you and impacted your life in a way that made you who you are today? Share with us on “My Teacher Story” Whatsapp https://wa.link/dzccey 

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I was fortunate to gain admission to Wesley Girls High School, where I spent 3 torturous years that I look back on very fondly, an oxymoron that it is not easy to understand unless you have gone through a similar experience. My arrival in school was nothing short of a carnival on its own. My extended family, consisting of parents, aunties, uncles, and cousins ushered me to my dorm with great fanfare and we all had the privilege of getting a first-hand demonstration of the proper way to fold your clothes and make your bed.  After a steady diet of books like Mallory Towers, I had great expectations for my boarding school experience and was looking forward to the lifelong friendships I was on the brink of making. My first reality check came at dinner time when I was given a medium-size fish to share among the 14 girls on the table. Needless to say, if you have no understanding of fractions, playing the role of table server gives you a real-life application of how it works.  I once received a letter with a salutation that read ‘hailing from the evergreen hills of Kakumdo’ and school could feel really isolating and lonely sometimes if not for the dedication and affection of teachers like Wil-B who were there for each of their students. 

I still remember the first time I saw Ms. Wilberforce, she strutted into class wearing a bright red skirt suit and red shoes with red lipstick. In a conservative environment like Wesly Girls, where neutral colors and pastels were encouraged she stood out like the firecracker she was. She had that elusive quality we generically term ‘presence’ and my young adolescent mind was completely bowled over by this adult who did not behave like any other adult I had ever come across.  Her passion for her art was infectious and till today, I still recall the poems and books we read and discussed just because of how passionately she taught them. beyond her obvious competence as a teacher, she was a teacher with heart. Apart from being my English teacher, she was also the teacher in charge of my class. I recall one occasion where she planned a picnic at the beach for my class because we told her we were so bored and tired of being confined to school grounds. On another occasion, she planned a trip to the Trade Fair in Accra which was an unexpected boon for girls that had not seen beyond their school gates in months. Unfortunately, I had to forfeit the trip due to a conflict. Ms. Wilberforce made it up to me by buying me takeout in the middle of the week when everyone else could only depend on dining food. 

Wil-B taught and guided our thinking, correcting us when we went wrong but always ready to be a champion or supporter when the need arose. She taught us to work for our dreams and not to settle for societal conventions/ expectations just because we are women. She was a safe space to speak frankly about our issues both related and unrelated to life. For a lot of us who might not have had that benefit otherwise, her openness and willingness to support us were invaluable. 

Ms. Wilberforce continues to impact future generations as an educator. She currently heads Aggrey Memorial Zion School, where I’m sure she continues to make waves. It’s my dream to take her out for lunch and catch up with her, benefiting from her advice once again.

“Wil-B Thank you so much for who you were. You were more than a teacher; you were a friend, a mentor and a mother, my SHS life will definitely not have been the same without you. I thank you for the meals, laughter, advice and scolding. Everything that you did contributed to the person that I am today.  I hope I am someone you are proud to call your student. Being a mother of a girl, I desire to raise her into a virtuous woman of substance and one that mirrors some of your values and ideals. Thank you for letting us know that as women, we have choices!”

Asie Arkhurst completed Wesley Girls Senior High School in 2002.  Did you attend Wesley Girls Senior High School too? Were you a student of Ms. Kate Annan-Wilberforce? Share your experience about how she impacted your life in the comments section.

Also, don’t hesitate to let us know what you think of Ms. Kate Annan-Wilberforce? Do you have a teacher who motivated and impacted your life in a way that made you who you are today? Share with us on “My Teacher Story” Whatsapp https://wa.link/dzccey 

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Friends really made my stay in school memorable. For instance, I remember when I started schooling, I wasn’t the most fluent in English Language at the time. I am thankful for friends of mine like Patrick and Ernest Agyeman who I understudied, as they were more fluent in the language. I also remember when my friends Victor Nimo Boateng and Samuel Kyei would pick our canvases after school and paint live portraits and scenes in town, I really enjoyed those moments. 

Mr. Aka Adjei Junior was another friend who made school memorable. Although he was a housemaster and taught us General knowledge in Art, Painting and picture making, he was first a friend to everyone. He was someone we could easily talk to and share our grievances with. His first few minutes in class with us were used to share life experiences and advise us, usually to abstain from boy-girl relationships as we had not reached the stage for that.

I also remember in the late 90’s, when rap had become all the rage and I also got caught in that wave of ‘want-to-be’ rappers. Mr. Aka Adjei called me and my colleagues and advised us to concentrate on our studies and keep all other things secondary. We heeded and even set a record, which is yet to be broken in the school till date, as 39 out of 42 of us got A in his subject.

He was always assigning roles in class. He allowed everyone to speak in class, introverts and extroverts alike. Everyone and the chance to speak. If you’re having difficulty, he would hold your hand and direct you to draw, he was very patient with us. He always also made us share our experiences prior to his coming to class which prepared the “land” of our minds for learning.

 On a lighter note, he was always using big words that were new to us. He was also very fond of using proverbs, especially Chinua Achebe’s proverbs. His favourite was from “Things fall apart” By Eneke the bird: “Men have learned to shoot without missing their mark and I have learned to fly without perching on a twig” Most of his advice and wise counsel makes sense now that we are older and now as a teacher at Yaa Asantewaa Girls, I learnt that you can only correct people once you are connected to them. I can say he has a great influence on my teaching style.

I am very much in touch with Mr. Aka Adjei. He still resides in Kumasi at the moment where he teaches at a private school. Interestingly, I teach the subject he taught me so we exchange ideas on a regular basis.I tap into the wealth of knowledge he has and I lend a few tips on how to research electronically.

“Thank you Mr. Aka Adjei Junior for how you impacted my life. From day one in school, till now still with me as a father, I am very grateful you helped me know obedience came with a lot of blessings. Also, thank you to your wife; Maa Monica who was always so warm and like a mother to us. May God grant you strength for the rest of your days on earth.”

I have always looked for such an opportunity to thank our teachers and would love to commend “We Go Innovate” for this platform and hope that one day someone will also share my story. 

Mr. Michael Osei Boakye completed Osei Kyeretwie Senior High in 1999.  Did you attend Osei Kyeretwie Senior High too? Were you a student of Aka Adjei Junior? Share your experience about how he impacted your life in the comments section. 

Also, don’t hesitate to let us know what you think of Aka Adjei Junior. Do you have a teacher who motivated and impacted your life in a way that made you who you are today? Share with us on “My Teacher Story” Whatsapp https://wa.link/dzccey 

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Growing up, I was never really the cool kid. I would consider myself a late bloomer. Going to school for me was more about meeting people and cruising through. I wasn’t the most academically gifted, especially in Secondary school. But I loved school because boarding school was the perfect opportunity to escape the strict atmosphere at home.

University was a very serious environment. I was a student of the Agricultural Engineering Department, KNUST with over 70 students, 10 being female and no one had the time to treat you specially. I don’t think I was ready for the whole independent adult life and my laissez-faire approach to studying didn’t make matters better. My first year was horrible and my grades were not the best. I was pretty much dejected and had given up on myself, but someone had not given up on me yet.

 Mr. Joseph Akowuah for some reason believed in me. He wasn’t the strict type, he was very welcoming. I remember he would share a whole tray of bananas among the class, sit with us and have conversations. He gave room for mistakes. He was very down to earth and practical. He made us feel comfortable to question the status quo and probe further.

He would always call me and ask me if I had any challenges with studying or if there were any lecturers I would like to talk to for extra tutoring. He would give me deadlines and timelines to complete assignments to keep me on my toes. Although I went out of my way to complete his assignment and deliverables, I honestly could not understand why he would bother with someone like me who didn’t bother with herself. I had resigned myself to the fact that there was no helping me as I had fully formed into an adult with a fully developed personality; that is until I had an epiphany.

“Selasi, there is greatness in you. You just don’t know it yourself” Those words came out of Mr. Akowuah’s mouth to me one day. That was the first time anyone had told me anything like that. I laughed it off initially, but at the end of the semester, I had my “AH-HAH!” moment! A light bulb instantly lit in my head and I began seeing life differently. I saw the greatness that was in me because my grades had gotten better. I began to see the impact my little decisions to be intentional about my studies had caused, and I was determined to take myself seriously moving forward.

With my change of mindset came changes like waking up early, being time conscious, planning my day, setting deadlines and timelines. It all made a huge difference and before I knew it I was class captain. Mr. Akowuah’s setting of deadlines made all the difference. I became very intentional and conscious and stopped giving excuses. Interestingly, you could have a conversation with my mates and they would tell you how serious and strict I was. What a turn of events! The statement he made was enough to let me know I could do anything I set my mind to. Mr. Akowuah and I stayed in touch even after I graduated from KNUST. He even wrote my referral for my Master’s program application, which was successful.

To anyone reading this, enjoy your youth, but always remember there is a leader in you somewhere. You don’t have to be the most popular leader in the world. Just believe in yourself and you will be fine.

To Mr. Akowuah, He is now Dr. so I will call him that. “Dr. Joseph Akowuah, thank you is the least I can say. Thank you for believing in me, putting me right and letting me see the power I had in me that I didn’t even know existed. For being that teacher who held my hand through those trying times in school with my academics. Even though I may not have graduated as the best student, I think that I am the best student you have ever had in your teaching life, and I am so proud to know you as my teacher”

Selasi Dzikunu completed Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).  Did you attend KNUST too? Were you a student of Dr. Joseph Akowuah? Share your experience about how he impacted your life in the comments section.  

Also, don’t hesitate to let us know what you think of Dr. Joseph Akowuah. Do you have a teacher who motivated and impacted your life in a way that made you who you are today? Share with us on “My Teacher Story” Whatsapp https://wa.link/dzccey 

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Although form one in PRESEC was the ‘year of labour’, which equated to some of my worst moments, forms two and three were freer and more memorable and enjoyable. I became the assistant managing editor of the Presec Editorial Board and won all the debates, contests and quizzes I represented my school in. Though I didn’t make the National Science and Math Quiz team, I was fully occupied and setting records in other realms. I was always gainfully occupied one way or the other, so much so, my colleagues tagged me as “Hustler Appiah” and also “Chaarister” after my ability to string words together to my advantage, affectionately known in Presec as “chaa”.  I also wrote with the editorial board under the pseudonym “Aristocrates”. Little did I know that my little drops of water were making the mighty ocean of experiences which made me a good candidate for success. 

I thoroughly remember that my favourite subjects were Chemistry and Math. However, my favourite teacher had nothing to do with them. Mrs. Akyeampong taught English and Literature. You would always look forward to her classes because of how involving and engaging they were. She made English language so practical and interesting to all of us. She was also the patron for the Writers and Debaters’ club and patron of the Drama Club as well. She wrote plays that members of the club performed. She was an amazing tutor on how to debate and also trained members of the Drama club to act out their roles effortlessly (including us boys acting as women).

She was also the mother we never had while in school. Her counselling was top-notch. She used to talk to us about everything. From education, to career choices, to girls and life. When I had a severe bout of malaria while on campus, she practically became my mother and her care was mind blowing.

She guided us to do all the work for the annual school magazine and yearbook. We learned to stand on our own two feet by negotiating with the publishing companies and handling the creative direction and aesthetics. Relating with her made me more versatile. As protocol prefect in my final year at Presec, I got to work closely with her in this role of oversight for clubs and societies and leading school delegation to external events. As science students, my colleagues and I became inspired by her to take up roles in these literary arts clubs. I learnt a lot of soft skills by being in the same spaces as she was. I remember most of the members of the editorial board were science students and many of the students in the Drama club took up theatre and other arts related activities after high school as well. 

She always name dropped and told us where old students of our school were, what they were doing and how they did it. This pushed us to network and also be mindful that we could also get to where they were and more. She always instilled in us the need for attention to detail; she was very particular about grammar,wording and editing, and it also translated as a life lesson. Time she spent reviewing my poetry and other writing made me a better writer. 

It is more important to get role models and mentors to guide and direct students into the right direction. Good teachers like Mrs. Akyeampong all across Ghana should be encouraged so they can do better and hopefully inspire others to do the same. We need more selfless teachers, who should be engaged.

After school, I kept close contact with her. Even when I was not around to follow up on the recommendation letters she wrote for my university applications, she handled the tasks with aplomb. She attended my wedding and I always made time to visit her.  My colleagues and I never spared a moment to tell her how much we loved her and appreciated her efforts and impact in our lives. We even held a book launch of some of her plays we managed to publish for her at PRESEC. One of the saddest days of my life was supposed to lose a happy one, but sadly my birthday 31^st December 2019 was when I heard the news that she had passed on. It was a bitter pill for us all to swallow. Even though I wish she was still here with us, I am really glad we celebrated her in our own small way before she passed away.

If there was any chance to see her this minute, I would say: “Mrs. Charlotte Akyeampong, Thank you! I love you very much for the advice you gave me in the past knowingly and unknowingly, thank you for the character you showed during and after life in PRESEC. We will struggle to get anyone to say something bad about you; that is how great you were. Thank you for the motherly love and care. And thank you for inspiring a generation of writers, debaters, actors and all round leaders. Interacting with you made me a better leader and resource manager; time, human resource and knowledge. We will make sure your legacy lives on to ensure a much better Ghana, continent and world to live in. With all we learned from you, the world is a better place. Thank you”

Ato Ulzen-Appiah completed Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School, Legon in the year 2001.  Did you attend Presbyterian Senior High School, Legon too? Were you a student of Mrs. Charlotte Akyeampong? Share your experience about how she impacted your life in the comments section. 

Also, don’t hesitate to let us know what you think of Mrs. Akyeampong. Do you have a teacher who motivated and impacted your life in a way that made you who you are today? Share with us on “My Teacher Story” Whatsapp https://wa.link/dzccey 

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St. Monica School was a relatively new school back in 2002. All the students in the school were linked one way or the other due to their parent’s relationship with the Proprietors at the time. I was quite popular as I earned the position of School Prefect from the Primary division through to Junior High School. Moving from primary to junior high school meant you would definitely pass through Mr. Tetteh’s class.  He was one of the fiercely respected and feared teachers in the school.

He was an overall strict disciplinarian but was quite different in the classroom. His classes were always filled with fun and excitement. He even had a funny way of pronouncing my surname that stuck with my colleagues. He taught my colleagues and me to always be welcoming and have an open and positive mind towards Mathematics. Although my favourite subject in school was English Language, with time he won me over as a fan and a Math enthusiast as I always looked forward to his classes.

Much like the coming of Christ, no one knew when Mr. Tetteh would conduct a “Mental” test in the class. He didn’t have to wait for his class to be in session, once he walked by and realized the class was somewhat idle, a “Mental” would surely follow. His mental tests were so random that my colleagues and I learned to be prepared at every moment. 

 He was also popular for his Omnibus test which he conducted for all students in Junior High School, from Form 1 to 3. What this meant was that, anyone from any of the three classes could take the top spot in  the test. However no senior wanted to lose their seniority, or appear beneath the red line, so they all studied hard!

I remember he would call me aside as the School Prefect and advise me. He always went beyond teaching and the classroom and engaged in personal interactions. He would be the listening ear we needed and advise us on issues concerning life. Sometimes, he wouldn’t have to say too much as an advice because his life in itself was exemplary. He was very humble and he had a good relationship with everyone; teachers and students alike. This taught my colleagues and me to do the same.

If his “Mental” and Omnibus tests were anything to go by, I would say one thing we all learnt from Mr. Tetteh is to be ready always. Life can throw anything at you at any given time, but the question is, ‘Are you ready?’ This lesson has seen me through life till now and it has made me who I am.

Even though I may not know where he is at this very moment, to Mr. Tetteh I would say: “You really impacted a lot of lives when we were in school. I know, not a lot of people liked you because of your “Mental” questions, but it made us all prompt and always on point and ready for action. You kept us on our toes for Math and also for life. It made us all do well in Math as well, so you’ve done a lot in shaping our lives. We owe you a big gratitude for giving us advice and mentoring us to be who we are. God bless you wherever you are.”

Benjamin Adadevoh completed St. Monica’s School in 2004.  Did you attend St. Monica’s School too? Were you a student of Mr. Phillip Tetteh? Share your experience about how he impacted your life in the comments section. 

Also, don’t hesitate to let us know what you think of Mr. Phillip Tetteh. Do you have a teacher who motivated and impacted your life in a way that made you who you are today? Share with us on “My Teacher Story”. Reach out to us on Whatsapp https://wa.link/dzccey 

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