“Mr. Addo Kantey, you have made more impact than you think. You might not remember this journey you took me through, but I, Alain Gbeasor, am here today to tell it all in “My Teacher Story”
Mr. Addo Kantey took interest in me from the first day I stepped into Belfort JHS, Nungua. It wasn’t an ideal first day in school for me because I had left all my friends at Datus School, Tema, where I had been all my life. I am pretty sure I was so visibly sad and lonely. Mr Addo made it a point to make me feel at home in his Elective Math Class. I loved math and so it didn’t take too long for a bond to be established.
Mr Addo Kantey was our Father figure in school. He did it all, from being a personal intermediary for students with school fees issues, mentoring each and everyone of us to reveal our hidden talent (mine were athletics and Table Tennis) and urging us on to become the best versions of ourselves. Even though my athletic career was short-lived, I went on to become the Senior Boys’ Prefect and the best at his course.
Mr Addo Kantey’s positive influence was visible beyond school. He made sure to collaborate with parents when it was time for students to make choices of senior high schools and courses. I didn’t argue or protest when he said I looked like one of the “Brilla Science and Math Quiz” contestants from Presec Legon Senior High school-his alma mater. I just made sure to work hard and make it become a reality. All the students he advised towards school had their first choices, including me!
Fast forward to Presec Boys Senior High school, I worked towards my dream to join the ‘Brilla team.’Eventually, I was part of the team that was being prepared for the quiz. However I didn’t make it to the final team that represented the school. Though two of my classmates did. So I was still excited.
My termly reports were posted to Mr Addo Kantey and he sent them to my parents. Because of this I made sure to get the best grades to make him and my parents proud.
Losing my Mom by the second year in school shook me to the core but Mr Addo Kantey was always there to comfort and restore the lost hope. He was always there for me.
Last year, I reunited with Mr Addo Kantey at an old school reunion at Presec Legon, now OUR alma mater. You can imagine the nostalgia and wave of emotions that swept through me! From teacher, to friend, to “fellow Presecan”, it was a full circle moment!
Today I am a biochemist and a Technological and Industrial Production Entrepreneur. I learnt to be humble, hardworking and passionate about my work from him. I think if more teachers would be better involved in the general welfare and school selecting process for their students, there will be no limits to what students can achieve. My colleagues and I are living testimonies of this truth.
I am thankful for this medium through which I can celebrate Mr Addo Kantey. I hope this article inspires someone out there to pick up the phone and reach out to that one or more teachers that made an impact in their lives. Let’s celebrate them now! Mr Addo Kantey, if you’re reading this I would like to say, “I’m grateful! Just keep doing the best that you can. All those you imparted are really grateful and we are thankful for your life.”
Alain completed Belfort Junior High School in Nungua, Accra in 1997. Did you attend Belfort Junior High School too? Were you a student of Mr Addo Kantey? Share your experience about how he impacted your life in the comment section.
Also, don’t hesitate to let us know what you think of Mr Addo Kantey. 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”. Reach out to us on Whatsapp https://wa.link/dzcceyÂ
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Awesome ….
Love this and thanks for telling my story…..
It is our pleasure to help celebrate Mr. Addo Kantey!
This is profound “My termly reports were posted to Mr Addo Kantey and he sent them to my parents. Because of this I made sure to get the best grades to make him and my parents proud.”
For him to be the one to be receiving your reports, the interest to see you do well was so paramount. He dserves some honour
Yet he wasn’t a trained teacher mpo. MR ADDO is most dedicated teacher I’ve ever known…
Yes, Dr he really inspired us.
Mr. Addo Cantey, was indeed our father, mentor and best teacher. I just love Social Studies till date because of Mr. Addo as we affectionately call.
He is the best and his name will forever be on our lips. Alain Gbeasor, thanks for honouring Mr. Addo.
Thanks for the recognition and appreciation. It’s a reminder for a lot of us, if not all.
Mr. Addo helped shape my foundation for life’s journey, my spring board into future. How many can say their role model made fun of them. He was a father and a friend.
Belford ( Class of 97)!
Hmmm Mr Addo Kantey
What l wonderful teacher l had
He made me choose Kumasi High School way back 1997 during BECE registration and l have not regretted it.
I remember when l felt sick in JSS 2,this gentleman visited more than ones.lnfact,l didn’t quiet like maths but he made sure l had grade 2 thanks to his encouragement and made me fall in love with social and cultural studies
Mr Addo was one of my favorite teacher at Belfort and he really inspired me to become whom I am today.My success in information Technology now is all because I had a good foundation in maths.He made it easy to understand. I am also currently An AI ( Artificial Intelligence) Engineer. Thank you Mr ADDO for making an impact in us.
Mr. Addo encouraged us in all ways he could. I remember during my final year in 2000, he led the student body to cheer us up during our inter school football tournament which we won defying all odds and beating arguably the best team in the tournament to win the ultimate. A great social studies teacher as well. I salute you Sir.
Am also most greatful to have Mr. Addi Cantey as a friend, a father, a brother,an advisor, councilor and a teacher. Words can’t explain how blessed I am to have such a wonderful personality like him, bt that I can say is continue with the good work God is with you always
Mr. Addo was more than a teacher to many. For me, he was more of an elder brother than a teacher. He took so much interest in me and would inquire about my progress at school even after I left Belfort in grade 5. A teacher who genuinely finds delight in the success of his students. I remember meeting his wife( who was his girlfriend when I was in grade 2) at church in the late 2000s and she said to me ” try see Mr. Addo, he will be very proud of you” That’s Mr. Addo for you, he speaks passionately about his students that everyone around him gets to know how much he cares for them. Alain, God bless you for celebrating Mr. Addo. I like the picture with Atonko by the way 🙂
Yes I attended Belfort JSS.
Alain was my senior and Mr. Addo Cantey taught me from Primary 5 to JSS 3.
Mr. Addo will make you love Mathematics from scratch to finish.
He was a mentor and the first teacher you can think of when you have any problem.
Mr. Addo was selfless and always ready to assist, sometimes puting his job on the line.
Whiles in SSS, some of us still went for free Mathematics classes with Mr. Addo.
Many teachers have impacted my life but I still hold a special place for Mr. Addo.
He taught my nephew for free when he had issues with Mathematics in school.
I know many of my mates who excelled in the subject because we had Mr. Addo.
God bless you Sir. We celebrate you.
Ohhh and I still remember the song he wrote n taught us.
Every society, the way they dress
School children in our uniforms
We are happy, we are all proud of our mother land.
We are nice, neat, thanks to our parents
We are great, great future leaders
We are happy, we are all proud of our motherland
One day we shall grow to be leaders, doctors, lawyers, teachers, we are happy
We are all proud of our motherland.
Song written and arranged by Mr. Addo Cantey
Belfort matching song.
Mr. Addo was a well respected and adored maths teacher. I didn’t have an issue with maths due to the fact that maths was more like a DNA thing in my family and he ensured that I never lost interest in it. He was arguably the best teacher we had in school and he loved his work so much so that he always made it easy for us to understand whatever he taught. Sir, I salute you and I know all your students cherish and love you to the core.
Hmmm this special teacher; Mr Addo!
Words are not enough to express his impact on our lives.
That special eyes of his has the ability to identify your potentials, develop them and go a long way to put you on your career path.
He tells me “Mavis, your family owes me ex-gratia”, because he taught my whole family; 5 siblings in all. We owe you more than that great teacher.
On behalf of Belfort 1999 year group, I say ayekoo and God bless you beyond your expectations.
Permit me to also thank the following great teachers for their impact on my academic journey.
* Miss Odei of Green Hill int. Sch, Dome CFC estate.
* Me ‘Shooting’ and Mr. Charles Annang all of blessed memory.
* Mr Thompson and Mr Helary all formally of Belfort.