Tweneboa Koduah Secondary School Celebrates its Golden Jubilee

Little did I know that the sons and daughters of "Akyeremah", Tweneboa Kodua Senior Secondary School, were going to organise the 50th anniversary celebration of the School on 21st November 2009. I was relaxing in my couch at home, waiting to babysit my grand-daughter with my computer tuned in to Ghana's Peace FM radio station when I fell fast asleep. Fortunately, the little girl was not brought over as I would have been too tired to look after her. When I woke up at around noon, all of a sudden, I heard the announcement of the impending jubilee celebration as mentioned above over the radio station, preceded by the singing of Barima Tweneboa Koduah's praises. The presenter was full of praise for Barima Tweneboa Kodua, the "Akyeremah" of the Ashanti Kingdom. The presenter made me proud as not only the son of Kumawu but also, a farsighted product of Tweneboa Koduah Secondary School – T.K.S.S.

Who is Barima Tweneboa Kodua, one may enquire? He was that Ashanti chief from Kumawu who exhibited that unprecedented prowess during the Ashantis wars waged to expand their territories by encroaching upon their defaulting neighbours. By so doing, they exerted their dominion over them, thereby becoming a great and fearless Kingdom. His audacity went a step farther than that of his peers. He offered himself as a sacrificial lamb to be slaughtered to save the Ashanti Kingdom when the need arose. Whilst his colleague-chiefs cringed when the request for a chief's head was made to them in a meeting by the renowned fetish priest, "Okomfo Anokye", Barima Tweneboa Kodua stood tall among his peers to be counted. He stood up and said, "I offer my head if that can ensure the Ashantis successes at war and also, save the Ashanti Kingdom". He was slaughtered after some rituals had been performed. This goes to explain why the inhabitants of Kumawuman are no longer subject to decapitation in what is human sacrifice, on the death of an Ashanti paramount chief or king, as was demanded by custom which is now defunct. He is the originator of the Kumawu paramount throne which bears his name same as does the Secondary School.

This unique chief, whose feat was unprecedented, is only to be left writhing in his grave by the follow-up eyesore actions and inactions of the succeeding generations. If he knew posterity was not going to reward his unique offer favourably, I think he would not have committed to offering himself for sacrifice in the first place. He was selfless, honest, and bold; the very opposite of what we are seeing today from almost all Ashanti chiefs.

I call upon all the former and present students, tutors and workers alike, to identify with the celebrations in one positive way or the other. Let us glory this great occasion in the life of Tweneboa Kodua Secondary School, bearing in mind the achievements of the person after whom the school is named. Let us also not forget how academically great and successful this school has made some people. Some of such great sons of the school that quickly come into mind are, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku of the NPP, Dr. Gyasi, Professor James Nyarko, Dr. Owusu alias "Progan", Pharmacist Dr. Doglou -PhD, Pharmacist Sekyere Marfo, Akosa Roland, Business Consultant - MBA, Hon. Opanyin Yaw Baah, MP for Kumawu Constituency and Alex Adomako-Mensah - MBA holder. These names are just but to mention a few as there are loads of not only PhD holders in various disciplines but successful persons in other areas who are themselves products of Tweneboa Kodua Secondary School.

I will take this opportunity to congratulate the organisers, tutors, workers and the current students of Tweneboa Kodua Secondary School whose efforts and farsightedness have made this occasion a possibility. I am of the hope that the inhabitants of Kumawuman will assist in no mean way to make this celebration the envy of other Higher Institutions of Learning in Ghana.

May I also take this opportunity to congratulate some of the Headmasters and Masters whose names quickly come into mind? They are Messrs Alan Cole, Bang, Atakora, Amofo, Acheampong –"Achie", Adusei, Bempong and that French master – Atakora, who used to say, "Tu Fumeeeee". I also extend my greetings and appreciations to Hannah Bonsu, Emilia Dapaah, Elizabeth Galloway, Charles Donkor, Agyei Danso, Kwasi Asabre, Kyei Boateng and Kwame Owusu Ansah. What about Amoa Joseph, Dr. Antwi Boasiako Charles – ABC and Atupim Roland? You are all great sons and daughters of Tweneboa Kodua Secondary School. To you all, I say Bravo!!!

Rockson Adofo