Ghana Senior High Technical School (Takoradi)

The Ghana Secondary Technical School[1][2] is a science and technology-oriented high school located in Takoradi on the west coast of Ghana. It is the third oldest high school in Ghana[3] - the oldest 'non-missionary' high school.[4] The School was founded on 9 August 1909 in Accra[5][6] as Accra Technical School and later changed to Government Technical School. It moved to its current site in Takoradi in 1939.[7] In 1953, the name was changed to Government Secondary Technical School, and in 1970, it was given its current name.[8] Former students of the school are known as Giants, and students in the school are called Tescans.[9]

Ghana Secondary Technical School
GSTS
Address
Map
Pobee Biney Rd, Takoradi

,
Ghana
Coordinates04°53′52″N 01°44′59″W / 4.89778°N 1.74972°W / 4.89778; -1.74972
Information
TypeSecondary Technical
MottoMente et Manu
(With mind and hands)
Established9 August 1909; 115 years ago (1909-08-09)
StatusActive
School districtSekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA)
GES CategoryA
HeadmasterRev. Kennedy Obeng
ChaplainVery Rev. Frederick Asare-Bediako (Methodist)
Teaching staff50
GradesForm 1 to 3
GenderAll male
Enrollment2500+
CampusResidential
Houses
  •   1-Ritchie
  •   2-Vanderpuye
  •   3-Weston
  •   4-Opong (formerly Robinson)
  •   5-Aryee
  •   6-Dodoo
  •   7-Kennedy
  •   8-Einstein
  •   9-Cobbinah
  •   10-Mensah
  •   11-Unnamed
  •   12-Unnamed
Color(s)Bright yellow walls with crimson structural members and fascia.
AthleticsTrack, field and courts
MascotMother Tesco - oldest and tallest tree on campus which has recently been cut down.
NicknameThe Giants/Tescan
RivalSt John's School.
National ranking3
YearbookThe Tescan
AffiliationGSTS Alumni Association.
Flagship societyArmy (Infantry) Cadet Corps, est 1954.
Traditional colorsRed and white   
Uniform color  Tan
Courses
  • General Science
  • Technical
  • General Arts
Websitewww.gsts.school

History

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The school was started in 1909 as a pure Technical School [1]and was then sited at the former premises of the Accountant General (the current site of Kinbu Secondary Technical School in Accra).[1][5] It was founded in response to the growing demand for technical education in the British colonies at that time.[1]

In 1939, the school was moved to Takoradi. The first head was Mr. T. T. Gilbert.[1][7] The first African head was Mr. J.W.L. Mills, who took up his post in 1958.[1] A sixth-form was introduced in 1961.[1]

The school's name changed from Government Secondary Technical School to Ghana Secondary Technical School in 1970.[1][8]

For a brief period in the mid-nineteen-seventies students were admitted as part of military training. This started with Intake 15 of the then Military Academy and Training Schools.[10] They underwent a combination of regular academic work with intermittent military training during holidays.[11]

List of principals and headmasters

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Name Designation Tenure
Mr. H.A. Wright Principal 1909–1916
Mr. Pickles Principal 1917–1918
Mr. McLaren Principal 1918–1938
Lt. Col. T. T. Gilbert Acting Principal 1938–1946
Major T. C. Watkins Acting Principal 1947–1953
Mr. A. A. Jones Principal 1953–1954
Mr. F. E. Joselin Headmaster 1955–1957
Mr. J. W. L. Mills Headmaster 1957–1959
Mr. I. N. K. Atiase Headmaster 1960–1961
Mr. S. N. Adu-Ampomah Headmaster 1961–1965
Mr. D. V. Owiredu Headmaster 1965–1968
Mr. R. W. Asiedu Acting Headmaster 1968–1969
Mr. S. T. Lomotey Acting Headmaster 1969–1970
Mr. B. W. De-Graft Johnson Headmaster 1971–1973
Mr. A. R. Cudjoe Headmaster 1973–1980
Mr. B. E. Godwyll Headmaster 1980–1983
Mr. P. B. Tuwor Headmaster 1983–1990
Mr. D. S. Gamor Acting Headmaster 1990–1991
Mr. I. K. Adams Headmaster 1991–1996
Mr. T. K. Mensah Headmaster 1996–2013
Mr. A. Adams Headmaster 2013–2015
Mr. S.K.Essel Headmaster 2015 to 2021[6]
Rev. Kennedy Obeng Headmaster 2021-

[4]

School Anthem

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GSTS ANTHEM – By Gt Stephen Agyefi Mensah 1996

Verse 1:

Honor O God, our leaders great

To whom you gave wisdom and power

To build this Glorious institute

Chorus:

So grant us, Lord Divine

Hope, Strength and Love

To Cherish and Uphold G.S.TS

Verse 2:

With zeal they toiled with hands and brains

And serve faithfully with their might

Their dear nation and made their mark

Chorus:

So grant us, Lord Divine

Hope, Strength and Love

To Cherish and Uphold G.S.TS

Verse 3:

Great is the duty we still owe

With full commitment and hard work

To strive and shirk not our duty

Chorus 2x:

So grant us, Lord Divine

Hope, Strength and Love

To Cherish and Uphold G.S.T.S

Achievements

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  • Winners of the 2012 National Science and Maths Quiz Competition(And two times runner up)[12]
  • Winners of the 62nd Independence Quiz Competition[13]
  • 2014 best WASSCE student was a Tescan.[14]
  • In 11 June 2018, 14 students from Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS) Takoradi represented Ghana Genius Olympiad hosted at Suny Oswego University in New York City, United States of America (USA) started from June 11 to 18, 2018.[15]

Sports

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  • Winners of the Aggrey Shield in 1957 in Kumasi.[16]
  • 2009 National basketball champions at the National Milo Schools' Sports Festival in Kumasi.[17]
  • .
  • Winners of zonal inter school athletics competition with close to 40 titles since the inception of the competition (regional record holder in highest number of wins).[14][4]
  • Soccer champions in Takoradi Zonal Inter School competition on more than seven occasions.* Winners of the 2015 Edition of the Osagyefo Cup.[18]

Extra curricular activities

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  • First school in the Gold Coast to establish a cadet corps (in 1954).[19][20]

Notable alumni

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Academics

Science and technology

Sports

Politics and governance

Military

Others

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "History – GSTS". Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  2. ^ "GSTS Alumni Association swears in new executives". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  3. ^ Association, GSTS Alumni. "GSTS History - GSTS Alumni Network". GSTS Alumni Association. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Association, GSTS Alumni. "GSTS History - GSTS Alumni Network". GSTS Alumni Association. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  5. ^ a b "GSTS". Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  6. ^ a b "Ghana Secondary Technical School honours retiring headmaster". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  7. ^ a b Kesse, Grant O. "How has it been with G.S.T.S all these years?". On Turning 90!. The GSTS Network. Archived from the original on 12 January 2005. Retrieved 11 December 2007.
  8. ^ a b "The School". The GSTS Network. Retrieved 11 December 2007.
  9. ^ "GSTS To Become One of The Top 5 High Schools In Ghana and Abroad-Alumni Association •". 4 January 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Shake-Up Blues In Military". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  11. ^ "Profile of Major General JN Adinkrah".
  12. ^ "Here are all the winners of the NSMQ from 1994 - 2019". Pulse Gh. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  13. ^ "GSTS, Biheco shine in 62nd Independence Day quiz - MyJoyOnline". www.myjoyonline.com. 7 March 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  14. ^ a b Association, GSTS Alumni. "GSTS History - GSTS Alumni Network". GSTS Alumni Association. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  15. ^ "14 Ghana Secondary Technical School Students For Genius Olympiad". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  16. ^ Nortey, Ishmeal (24 October 2022). "Ghana Senior High/Tech: History, Programmes and More". Ghana Education News. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  17. ^ "Milo Sports Festival ends in Kumasi". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  18. ^ Osei, Evans. "GSTS Wins 2015 Edition of Osagyefo Cup". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  19. ^ "Cadet leadership training ends in Kaleo". Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  20. ^ National Cadet Corps (Ghana)