• Nana Abena Boaduwaa II (fouthfrom right) flanked by the dignitries
to unveil the dining hall project

 Members of the Past Students’ Association of Tarkwa Senor High School (TARPSA), last SaturdaY took Tarkwa by ‘whirlwind’ when they celebrated their 60th anni­versary in a grand style.

Th event, on the theme ‘Achieving academic excellence evoked a cock­tail of memories flavoured with joy, merry making, and reminisces of the period gone, but not forgotten.

As former classmates embraced and shouted , they reflected on forbearers, who slept on the floor, fetch the only source of water from Bediabewu stream nearby, and the disciplinary regime that moulded their future.

It was a moment of laughter and tears of joy.

Former Mates were also heard re-echoing nicknames they gave teachers and also solemnised those who had passed on. It was a celebra­tion of fashionable style, as past stu­dents and guests, clad in anniversary cloth waxed with the motto ‘Carpe Diem’ – seize the opportunity.

Indeed, it was a goose – pimpled occasion that unfolded at the Tarkwa Senior High School (TARSCO) park.

It was an event that witnessed the blend of martial march and tradition­al dances spiced with peals of hymns from the school choir.

The school’s naval cadet, under the command of Under Officer, Sandra Ntiakoh, exhibited a splendid perfor­mance that exemplified the maxim of preparedness, martial discipline and the character for future leaders.

Undoubtedly, the 51-member contingent showed dexterity in time, marksmanship, precision and espirit de corps.

Indeed, they gave an eloquent tes­timony, that these were next corps TARPSCANS ready to lift the banner and hold the torch of TARSCO in the next century.

What increased the crescendo was the splendid performance by the band. They never wavered when even Master of Ceremonies (MCs), including Fiifi Boafo of COCOBOD, in ‘violation’ of military protocol, prompted them to leave the quadrangle.

Led by the Drum Major, they remained resolute and resumed their antics before returning to base, in style. And the applause from the gathering was deafening and echoed which could even be heard down valleys of TARSCO and beyond the mining enclaves.

The cultural troupe also mellowed and melted the hearts of the guests including the Queenmother of Apinto Division, Nana Abena Boaduwaa II, Apinto Gyaasehene, Nana Dr Adarkwa Bediako III, Coordinator, Technical Di­vision Ministry of Finance and TARPSA National President, Mrs Hannah Owu­su-Koranteng.

They cruised on cloud nine while the atumpan and fontof­roms pumped the air with throbbing rhythms. Indeed, the ecstasy was fantastic.

Ms Mends, who could not hide her joy, recounted her stay at TARSCO and mentioned that “it was all joy to be here again.”

She revealed how she swept the hen coop of one housemistress, Miss Adjei and benefitted by enjoying chicken soup on Sundays.

“It’s great to be in TARSCO. You might come here with no dreams, but, with time, you find friends, who will stand by you, nurture and inspire you. House mistresses may be strict on you, but, ultimately, it’s a good habit not just for today, but, also for tomorrow,” she recollected.

Thanking stakeholders, especially TARPSCANS, Mrs Owusu -Koranteng, prayed that God should guide them for another successful anniversary.

She said “ It has been a very wonderful week full of events, ex­citement, and challenges that have almost threatened our ability to suc­ceed. We made it and it is a success that each one of us can identify with.

“It is the Lord and the spirit of team work. All I can say is Ayekoo because there is nothing more beyond that. I am trusting that this is just the beginning of bigger things to mani­fest.”

Mrs Owusu-Koranteng continued “What we set out for ourselves ap­pears to be huge. We can achieve this goal and it is my prayer that when we plan for the 65th anniversary, the uniting force would be how we will be handing over the flagship to our alma mater.”

The Headmaster, Mr George Oduro, celebrated the collectivity of the TARSCO spirit of Carpe Diem, espe­cially from staff and TARPSA for their efforts in development, stressing that, “the toils of the founding fa­thers continue to bear fruits.”

TARSCO charted its future in Sep­tember, 1961, with 59 pioneers- 46 boys and 13 girls, who had no dormi­tories at the time, under the tutelage of the strict, principled headmaster, late Charles Kodwo Enyawosika Ste­phens.

From Clement Adzei Boye, Tarkwa