How Okatakyie Afrifa Became A Soldier

AFRIFAH JOINS GHANA ARMY.

At Adisadel, my aim was to study and become a priest, and so I took to the classics with zeal. As for the sciences, I could not go beyond Archimedes’ principle. Latin and Greek were my joy, I remember in 1955 I collected seven prizes-Latin, Greek, Religious Knowledge, History, English Language, Geography-and topped my class. Who was to award prizes but Kwame Nkrumah! He said to me: “Young man, keep it up. I am most impressed with your performance” I hope he is still impressed with our recent performance on the 24th of February.

Before I entered myself for the School Certificate examination, our certificate, I do not see why I should offer more than six. I entered seven subjects as advised, but only took six at the examination and came out with a first division certificate. Unfortunately, the seventh subject was Religious Knowledge on which the school, laid emphasis. A serious view was therefore taken of the disobedience and for this, in 1957, while in the lower sixth form preparing myself to enter the University of Ghana, Legon. I was expelled from Adisadel.head master had explained that all we needed were six subjects; but he advised us to offer seven, eight or nine to make room for failure. However, I said to myself, if we need six subjects to pass our school

I was in a dilemma. I went to Kumasi and decided there and then that I would join the Army. The Army had always held a great fascination for me. I walked up to the commanding soldier at the Kumasi Garrison and said to him: “Sir, I want to be a soldier” He asked of my educational background and when I told him, he said: “You are fit to be an officer.” I said, ‘No, sir, I want to be a soldier, not an officer.” He persuaded me and explained that there was a pending selection for officer cadet to train to be commissioned, and this examination was to be held in June, and that I should bring an application which would be considered depending upon my performance in the examination. I passed the examination and attended an interview before the selection Board. On the 11th of September, 1957, I was formally enlisted into the Ghana Army as an officer cadet, and sent to the Regular Officers’ special Training School at Teshie.

.....Culled from Afrifa's Book: The 1966 Ghana Coup.