Many call me Oppong-Agyare. Others use Nana Poku, and some prefer ‘Asterix’. There was a Solomon somewhere which became redundant as I became more and more of a ‘conscious African’. Whichever your preference, it’s fine by me since they all refer to this one unique individual - ME !

Choosing PRESEC-LEGON had nothing to do with me. I had very little say in the matter. Those of us who had ‘big bros’ already in the school or ‘big bros’ who had ‘trudged along’ sometime in the past would appreciate what I mean. The debate was between my big bro and my sisters. Big bro could not think of any other school for me and my sisters thought I needed a different environment for a different perspective on issues. We all know which side won the debate !

I had had the opportunity to visit the school on a previous occasion and I had fallen in love with the school. This was for a ‘speech day’ event and we all know what the atmosphere is like during such activities. But PRESEC, for me, represented something much bigger and greater than just a high-achieving school. Nothing can really explain the sense of ‘togetherness’ that exists in the school better than the slogan “WE ARE ALL PRESEC”, and yes we are !

I liked every aspect of life in the school. What was there not to like about ‘goase’ or ‘drivers’ or even ‘avesco’? And could one ask for anything more than being able to sneak out (cautiously of course) without any trouble? What about the fact that anybody who wanted to visit could show up at any time and still be able to see you?
The very first hymn I remember learning was “As with gladness men of old, did the guiding star behold…” It still remains one of my favourite hymns. I settled in Akro House and the experience was exciting all round. Yes I went through seniors like Shingoro, Showele, Peestora, Jeff K, Micky T and others. Such were the times that no matter how well one executed one’s duties, one was ‘destined’ for some ‘lashes’ after prep; I mean every evening after prep. I came to dread this period after prep so much so that throughout my entire first year I could never really do any serious studies at prep. Thank God that everything with a beginning has an end.

Remember poki ? Yes poki was the ‘thing’ at the time and Showele would not sleep without it. There were about 6 or 7 form one boys in dorm A. Showele would always wait till after 9:30pm to call a form one boy to send on an errand. We would all pretend to be fast asleep and so would not respond at the first instance. He will then declare that he could only count as far as 5 and if nobody wakes up at the count of 5……
I don’t have to tell you that he only had to get to 4 and every single one of us would be up and heading towards Showele’s ‘koray’. For people who were asleep a couple of minutes earlier, it was amazing and funny how we could all be awake suddenly without any external (physical) contact. Those were interesting times.

Let me recount two memorable (at least for me) events:
The first one had to do with the nickname Asterix. Felix “Bruno” Sedziafa is responsible for that. Apparently he was impressed when I refused to be bullied by an older and bigger boy (name withheld) in our class. I had to actually jump in order to return a slap that had been delivered to my face by this bully. For those who did not know, that was the origin of Asterix.
The second one happened much later during the sixth form years. There were women all over and I had made quite a number of friends. One afternoon I was faced with the issue of seeing off one of the women to the school gate. On our way we met Mr. Oppong Abrefa (Wontu-le-easy). We greeted him and went on our way. I came back only to meet another woman who requested that I see her off too. So here I was, going to the school gate for a second time and guess who I meet on the way ? -Mr. Oppong Abrefa again !!! This time he could not resist the temptation, he had to say something; so he looked at me and said , “Is this all you do in school ?”

Anybody I could talk to was a friend. I cannot single out any special ones.
I don’t know of any sixth form gal who had a crush on me and I don’t remember having one on anybody. But even if I did, there is no way I am going to tell anybody; not now anyway !

I can never forget Mr. Ntiforo - the Maths teacher. How could anybody sleep in a Math class?  Mr. Ntiforo made sure of that. And when he was done for the day, he always had this to say “Any question? Yes, No question”. He would leave after that. Memories are forever, they say but some memories are just that -some memories!!
I went through PRESEC and I believe PRESEC went through me too.

After KNUST Tech, I worked for a couple of years and then decided to pursue some further studies in a new environment. I am currently in ‘Obamaland’ working with a company making sure food on the market is safe for human consumption. And yes I finally found the woman who agreed to live with me and so here we are trying to make a life together. We have a little girl to show for it. I believe I have said enough already but let me end with this. If there is one thing I regret to date, that would be the decision to not go to Odumase-Krobo to see the old site during the Golden Jubilee celebrations. I have not had the opportunity since but I hope to someday. And just as one hymn “As with gladness…” marked the beginning of my PRESEC experience, another brought me safely to the end of that phase -“The Heavens are telling the glory of God…..”

The PRESEC-LEGON experience is a never-ending one for me and I am grateful to God, and to my big bro, for such a wonderful opportunity. My life now is to come along, join the others out there, so that together, we take ‘our places in the future of our country and church” !