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TARPSA climaxes 60th anniversary in grand style
• 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
Massive celebrations were recorded countrywide as the Black Stars opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Panama in Toronto on Wednesday.
Midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi scored the only goal of the match late in the game as he shot in a decent cross from substitute Brandon Asante.
The win gave Ghana a positive start in the competition, placing them in second position behind England, also with three points but with a superior goal aggregate.
After the final whistle, the streets and other viewing centres were turned into partying grounds as fans, mostly clad in the team’s paraphernalia, danced to several World Cup-themed music.
Others blew the vuvuzelas in joyous mood with others putting up a spirited ‘jama’ session.
Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Adentan Constituency, Akosua Manu, has urged party members to move away from what she describes as an “entitlement mentality” and focus on unity, sacrifice and hard work as the party prepares for the 2028 general election.
In a statement titled “Is Loyalty a Queue?”, and posted on facebook, Ms. Manu argued that loyalty to the NPP should not be judged by how long a person has been in the party but by their contributions and commitment to its growth.
According to her, the NPP’s history shows that many of its leaders faced significant opposition from within the party before eventually leading it to electoral success.
She cited former President John Agyekum Kufuor as an example, saying he had to overcome resistance from influential figures within the party before winning power for the NPP in 2000.
Ms. Manu noted that after the party lost power in 2008, former President Kufuor faced criticism and accusations from some party members.
However, she said supporters eventually put their differences aside and worked together to rebuild the party.
She pointed to the experience of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who, according to her, faced opposition from some factions within the NPP despite his long service to the party.
“His trials were ten times what Kufuor endured,” she stated, adding that Akufo-Addo eventually overcame the challenges and became President of Ghana.
Turning to the NPP’s current flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ms. Manu said he also faced resistance from different groups within the party while seeking leadership.
She praised Dr. Bawumia for contributing to policy-based political discussions in Ghana and for remaining composed following the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 elections.
According to her, party members must now rally behind him in the same way they supported former Presidents Kufuor and Akufo-Addo.
Ms. Manu, however, warned that internal divisions and a sense of entitlement remain major threats to the party’s future.
She argued that some party members place too much emphasis on how long individuals have belonged to the NPP rather than on their contributions and capabilities.
“This entitlement does not question impact. It does not ask what you sacrificed or what you built. It asks only how long have you been here,” she said.
The former parliamentary candidate cautioned that such attitudes could discourage committed members and prevent the party from selecting the best people for leadership positions.
She further called on the party’s incoming national executives to strengthen the NPP’s core values of sacrifice, honesty, integrity and dedication to national development.
Ms. Manu addressed the concerns of young party supporters, many of whom she said became discouraged following the NPP’s electoral defeat in 2024.
According to her, many young people remain eager to see the party return to power but are unwilling to support internal conflicts driven by personal ambitions.
She urged party elders to place the interests of the NPP above their individual goals and to demonstrate leadership that attracts rather than alienates members.
“The NPP is bigger than any one of us. It always has been. Our collective responsibility is to act like it,” she stated.
By: Jacob Aggrey
