The St. Thomas Aquinas Old Boys Association (Old Toms) has honored two of its illustrious members Professors John Owusu Gyapong and Abednego Okoe Feehi Amartey for their achievement in the academic sector.

This follows the appointment of Professor John Owusu Gyapong as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies in Accra. Professor Abednego Okoe Feehi Amartey has also been allevated into the office of Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Science, Ho.

A short ceremony was held at the Ghana International Press Center by the Old Toms where citations were presented to  the two professors for excelling in their field of endeavour.
Professor Gyapong recounted his days as a student of Aquinas. He recalled vividly his days when he was not the best student but with determination and hard work, he was able to surmount the academic hurdle.

He therefore admonished the current students to be of good behaviour and strive for success.

He also pleaded with the school to institute some award schemes that would motivate students to realise their dreams.

Professor Amartey receiving his citation from an Old Tom who also doubles as a board member of the school.

Professor Gyapong together with President of Old Toms 

Professor Amartey also gave an account of his life as a student of Aquinas, taking his audience through harrowing experiences he had to go through to attain success.

He recounted how on countless occasions he walked from Labadi to Aquinas in Cantonments but that didn’t sway him from making his dreams come to fruition.

He also advised the students to study rigorously to obtain sterling results and also tasked them abide by the quote, “With determination, failure cannot destroy the seat of success.”

Professor Gyapong receiving his citation from the headmaster.

Professor Amartey in a hearty chat with the press.

The 2000 year group of old boys also presented a laptop and a plasma television to the Science and Maths Quiz Team of the school to aid them in their preparations towards next year’s contest.

The items were received by the headmaster who thanked the Old Boys for their kind gesture.

He took the opportunity to announced that Aquinas placed 17th out of the 895 schools that sat for the WASSCE examinations last year. He again used the occasion to plead with Old Toms to come to the aid of the school. He also called for the construction of teachers bungalows and a bigger Assembly Hall.

The 2000 year group Old Toms presenting their items to the headmaster.

The programme was well attended by old boys of Aquinas, current students and staff. The Old Boys serenaded guests with their school anthem and some soothing “Jama” that charged the atmosphere.

Aquinas Old Boys charging the atmosphere with their hot “Jama ”

Profs Gyapong and Amartey flanked by Old Boys of St. Thomas Aquinas (Old Toms)

Students of St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School at the event

By Simon Aikins | 3news.com