SUTESCO makes progress at 50
The Suhum Senior High Technical (SUTESCO), established in 1963 under the distinguished leadership of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, with a student population of 71, has marked its golden jubilee anniversary.
The theme for the celebration was: SUTECO @ 50; Enhancing Quality Human Capital Development Through Secondary Technical Education.
Since its establishment, the school has grown over the years and has a student population of 1,500, including 250 girls, and runs five programmes namely; General Arts ( four options), General Science (two options), Visual Arts (two options), Business (two options) and Technical (four options).
Initially, it was a boys’ school but due to the educational reforms of 1987, it became a co-educational institution in 1991.
Challenges
The school was confronted with inital challenges like inadequate laboratory equipment for the study of science, no school bus for academic and administrative duties, water shortages, no playing field for sporting activities and games, amongst others, but the pioneer teachers and students remained focused on the vision of the school and worked their bones to get the school on its feet.
Some current challenges are poor road network, lack of an assembly hall, small-sized dining hall and library, outmoded and worn-out machines and equipment for the technical department and inadequate staff accommodation.
Dynamic heads
The school has been blessed with dynamic and hardworking heads who played various roles to help it carve an image in line with its motto: ‘Nothing But the Best.’
Mention could be made of Mr S.R.R.Coffie (1963-1968 ), Mr J.R. Mac-Bruce (1968-1972), Mr S. A. Ofosuhene; (acting, 1972-1974), Mr T. K Abbey (1974-1978), Mr A. K. Gyaitua (1979-1980), Mr K. O. Budu (Acting,1980-1981), Mr Alfred Osei (1981-1991), Mr W. E. Gyekye (1991-1999), Madam Cecelia Wiafe (acting, March, 1999-June, 2000) Mr Joseph Addo-Larbi (July, 2000-2008) Apostle Dr K. K. Yeboah (2008 to date).
The role played by prominent citizens of Suhum in getting the school established cannot be overemphasised.
Notable amongst them are the late Nana Peasah (then chief of Suhum), Hon. Amoa Awuah (the first MP of Suhum and former Minister of State in the Nkrumah Regime), who initiated the whole process under the direction of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah. The land owners, who readily gave up their lands for a worthy cause, and many others cannot be left out.
The contributions of some notable personalities to the development of the school in particular and the country in general are also commendable. They are: Dr Eric Ofori (School of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana); Prof. Ofosu Anim (Dean, School of Agriculture, University of Ghana, Legon); Prof. V.P.Y. Gadzekpo (Ex-President, Central University College and the current President of Data Link Institute) and Dr Elijah Andani (Gynecologist, Bolgatanga Government Hospital).
The rest are: Dr W. A. Plahar (Director, CSIR, Accra); Mr Martinson Ohene-Ntow (Marketing Statistician, GHACEM, Tema); Mr Samuel Fletcher- Kwabi (presently the Municipal Chief Executive of Suhum); Squadron Leader Ebo Bartels (one time National Table Tennis Champion and later the Chairman of the Table Tennis Association of Ghana); among others.
Progress
The slogan of the school is ABENFO, literally meaning intellectuals, and students who have passed out of the school have lived up to this slogan, with most of them found in the academia, industry, business, health, sports etc.
SUTESCO is an institution which does not only lay emphasis on the academic progress of students but also emphasises the social, moral and spiritual development of students. The students are not denied their constitutionally guaranteed freedom of worship.
The PTA of the school has been of tremendous help to the school. The provision of a 75 KVA Electricity Generating Plant, a new Toyota Minibus, the purchase of a house to accommodate tutors, provision of semi-detached two-bedroom apartment; the provision of a 12-unit 3-storey building (under construction) and computers have all enhanced teaching and learning and the maintenance of discipline in the school.