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Going Back to the Old School
by Edward Ulzen

Going back to GSTS was kinda nostalgic for me. I had not been back to the school since I left in 1978 after my O’levels. Yeah, those interesting five years of my life from the age of twelve to seventeen still remain in my mind. I had just come back to Ghana after six years in Zambia. Here I was adapting to my own people.

The memories are many. From the times I spent in the choir, the many bonds I formed with people, being ‘homo-ed’, and the many friends. I sometimes wonder where they are...like JPK ? And all those smart Mensah guys ? I remember the waking bell at 5.30 every week day that instilled discipline in me. Then there was ‘going to Mecca’ - the art of economising water when “the pipes didn’t flow”. How about the prayers before meals. My best was ‘blessed blessed’. Boy, those were the years. I guess you are a teenager only once.

Talking of teen age years. Do you guys remember how thrilled you were when you got a letter with ‘do not bend’ on it? You opened it and were excited when it was a photo of a girl...maybe one of the ones you met when visited SeKco - which was next door then. I remember the hormones and how they began to rage. “Drawing maps” all over the place...and my Chrife years - trying to be a saint on the outside when my mind was full of lustful thoughts. Boy, those were interesting years, and I still wonder what happened to some of my friends.

Do you remember the teachers ? I remember some guy who used to have us fill his pool sheets in class. The rumoured affair between the English and French teacher? How about some technical teacher who used to give ‘shots’ (incorrect grammar) all the time. You had to duck those ones. The history teacher who instead teaching us vital Ghanaian history in form 2 was selling his political ideas to us.

Going back to the school last year was touching. I was glad the buildings were still there and looked good. The assembly hall which was not completed during my stay, now had walls on all sides. The cartoon (mural) on the wall near the house seven side which was done while I was still there. I went to the administration building met a guy who looked familiar. I was informed that Mr. Ayemin who was the senior house master in my time had retired. The maths teacher aka Kube was teaching somewhere else. The music teacher, Mr. Taylor? well, I was told that they no longer taught music in the school? that made my heart sink. I mean, I’d received a ‘classical education’ at that school, and now they’d changed the syllabus. Well, I guess life does move on and change...

Oh who am I? My name is Edward Stephen Ebow Ulzen (as I’d often repeat in form one - with an emphasis on “aaaaalll ziiiin”). I’m now settled in toronto canada and can be reached at ksp@sympatico.ca . Peacee.