Anlo Secondary School is 50

Accra, May 26, GNA - Anlo Secondary School (ANSECO) is celebrating its golden jubilee. The School which is located at Anloga in the Volta Region was established on April 10, 1959 by three founding fathers – Torgbui Adeladza II; Mr. C. K. Fiagbe and Mr J. W. K. Doe, the only surviving founder.

The many challenges the school faced at the initial stages related to inadequate infrastructure, equipment, furniture and teaching aids; scarcity of qualified staff; poor patronage by students and financial constraints.

The School initially operated from 'God Lives House' which was provided by Mr Doe Tettey with some furniture provided by the Rev. Dr. Ferdinand K. Fiawoo.

The initial motto of the School was “Think Perfect, Speak Perfect”. This motto was later changed to “Truth and Service”. From initial humble beginnings and with financial support from Anloga Welfare Unions based in Kumasi, Koforidua and Takoradi and other individuals, ANSECO grew from strength to strength.

The First Headmaster of the School was Mr. Isaiah Y. Fiagbe. He was later succeeded in 1960 by Mr. Evans Agbottah.

ANSECO was absorbed into the public education system during the 1963/64 academic year. Following the absorption, a search for an energetic graduate was conducted to run the affairs of the School.

The late Mr. Sosthenes Doe Sorkpor, who was then an Assistant Headmaster of Keta Secondary School, was identified and appointed to take over as the Headmaster of the School.

The late S. D. Sorkpor was instrumental in acquiring a permanent site for the School and put up the first classroom block at the present location. ANSECO presented the first ever candidates for the General Certificate in Education (Ordinary Level) Examinations in 1966.

The pioneer students, who wrote the first WAEC examinations included Moses K. Ocloo, the First Senior Prefect;, Vincent Agbottah; the Rev. Andreas Fiagbe; W. C. Dzogbeta; Herbert August; Vincentia Sikah; Salome Agbeve; Catherine Amegah and Irene Afetorgbor.

The School's infrastructure improved tremendously during the 24 years that Mr Sorkpor was the Headmaster of the School.

ANSECO has produced professionals in various spheres of life – education; medicine; nursing; engineering; economics; pharmacy; law; administration; accountancy among other fields.

Students of ANSECO have for the past three successive years won the National Constitution Game Competition organized by the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE).

The School has a Police Cadet Corps through the instrumentality of Mr. E. K. Keteku, who was then the Headmaster of the School. The current student population of ANSECO is 1,251.

It has 52 teaching staff and 53 non-teaching staff. The current Headmaster of ANSECO, Mr. W. I.K. Azumah took over the headship on July 7, 2006. He has brought a lot of dynamism into the school administration and together with the Board of Governors has developed a plan to improve upon the infrastructure at the School.

To mark the 50th anniversary of ANSECO, a series of activities are being undertaken by the students – cultural and gospel music shows; inter-school quiz competition and talks on career development.

In addition, there would be a congress of old students at White House Hotel on Friday May 29, 2009. Vice President John Dramani Mahama would be the guest of honour at a grand durbar of students, old students, well wishers and invited guests on the school campus on Saturday May 30 at 10:00 hours.

On Saturday evening, there will be an anniversary dance for all old students at Lorneh lodge.

GNA