Meet Ms Golda Esi Andam, the first old student to head Swedru Secondary School
Excitement, applause, cheers and tears of joy filled the entire ceremonial grounds of the Swedru Secondary School (SWESCO) on December 9, 2021, when Ms Golda Esi Andam, was officially inducted into office as the first old student headmistress of the school.
Colleague old students, current students, staff (both teaching and non-teaching) well-wishers as well as family members could not hide their joy and delight who applauded and congratulated Ms Andam for achieving such a historic feat.
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Since the establishment of SWESCO as the first Ghana Education Trust (GET) School in 1959 by Ghana’s first President Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, no old student has occupied the position of either head or assistant headmaster/headmistress of the school.
Over the years, the old students association of SWESCO had yearned for an old student to head the school as they believe that such a person could contribute immensely towards the transformation of the school
Dignitaries
The well-attended induction ceremony was graced by traditional rulers including the Nifahene of Agona Swedru, Nana Kweku Esieni V, who led a retinue of chiefs to witness the event. The colourful ceremony was interspersed with performances from the school’s cadet corps and regimental band, and singing groups such as the school choir and the Trumpet of Christ.
Interestingly, Ms Andam becomes the 13th head of the school, the third female to occupy such a position and historically, the first old student to assume such an enviable position in the administration of the school.
Also in attendance were four surviving past heads of the school, namely Mr Francis G. Amissah, Mr E.K.T. Osam, Mrs Agnes Letitia Hawkson and Mrs Alberta Obiriwa Rigg-Stewart as well as members of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) in the Central Region.
The Bishop of the Winneba Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana, Rt. Rev. Paa Solomon Grant-Essilfie assisted by other members of the clergy officially inducted Ms Andam into office and duly introduced her which was received with thunderous applause from the gathering.
Citation
The 1972 year group presented a citation to the new headmistress which was in recognition of her sterling performance since assuming leadership of the school and for supporting and embracing the green project initiated by the year group.
Also, Ms Andam’s family honoured her with a citation for becoming the first past student to head her alma mater, a record which had brought great honour to the entire family.
Furthermore, the old students led by its President, Mr Frank Danso Dankyi handed over 20,000 library books to the management of the school to be used to stock the school’s library to enhance teaching and learning.
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Ms Andam started her basic education at the Roman Catholic Basic School, Agona Swedru, continued at Tema S.O.S. and returned to complete at Adonten International Academy also in Swedru for her Common Entrance and Middle School Leaving Certificate (MSLC) in 1987.
Later, she gained admission to the Swedru Secondary School, completed in 1993 and continued to the Ola Training College and passed with Certificate ‘A’.
She furthered her education at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) and was among the first batch of the four-year Bachelor of Education students where she studied English Language and Literature and completed in 2003.
In 2010, she gained admission into the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and completed with a Master of Arts Certificate in English Language.
She is happily married to Mr Michael Kojo Eduah and are blessed with children; Gilbert, Connie and Faustine Eduah.
Teaching career
Ms Andam began her teaching career at the Agona Nyakrom Salvation Army Primary school between 1997 and 1999. Between 2003 and 2004 she taught at the Kwanyako Secondary Technical School and later taught at the St Augustine’s College, Cape Coast between 2004 and 2010.
From 2012 to 2018, Ms Andam was the Head of Languages Department at the Academy of Christ the King, Cape Coast and from 2018 to 2020, she served as the Assistant Headmistress in charge of administration at the Wesley Girls’ High School, Cape Coast before being appointed the headmistress of SWESCO.
Word of exhortation
In a word of exhortation on the theme: “You cannot do it alone”, Rt Rev Grant-Essilfie urged the new headmistress to bring all key stakeholders on board towards the efficient and effective administration of the school.
He said “it will be disastrous for you to think that you can do it alone and that it is important for you to delegate the responsibilities to others so that everybody can be part of the school’s achievements”.
“I wish to caution you against entertaining only staff who are loyal to you but rather ensure you bring all of them together to contribute their quota towards the growth and development of the school”.
Tap knowledge
He further charged her to seek for wise counsel from her predecessors towards ensuring her smooth administration, saying “you are fortunate to have four past headmasters at your disposal to tap into their wealth of experience”.
The Bishop further advised her to be abreast with the rules and regulations government her office and school administration so as to operate within the remits of the law at all times, stressing “this will enable you to do the right thing in order not to fall foul of the law”.
Dream come true
For his part, Mr Dankyi expressed delight that the dream of the old students to have one of their own to head the school had come to pass and further congratulated Ms Andam for being the pioneer old student headmistress.
He expressed optimism that she would excel in her administration to the extent that other students would yearn to take over from her, adding “as old students, we pledge our unflinching support towards your administration”.
“I wish to assure you that the old students’ body will continue to play their part to augment the government's efforts towards the forward march of the school” Mr Dankyi said.
The Chairperson of the Board of Governors of the school, Rev Dr Elizabeth Wyns-Dogbe said “we look forward to working with you to instill discipline, integrity, excellence and other virtues in the students and staff.
“I wish to assure you of the full support of the governing board and entreat all stakeholders to cooperate fully with the new headmistress to drive the school to greater heights among its competitors” she said.
Maiden address
In her maiden address, Ms Andam thanked Almighty God for bringing her this far and said “I have no doubt in my mind that my elevation to this high enviable office was orchestrated by God”.
She lauded the old students, staff, past boards and headmasters for their immeasurable contributions over the years towards the progress of the school, noting “although the task ahead is daunting, I know I will receive the needed support from all relevant stakeholders to get the job done”.
