gsts.net: It's good to have you on here, Sam. Can you please tell us what you are doing now - I mean occupation wise?
SR: I am working for General Electric of Canada (Hydro Division), as a Numerical Controls Programmer and Machining Specialist since 1988. This is the same company that built the Akosombo Dam in Ghana. It was called Dominion Engineering at the time.

gsts.net: I'm sure you've guessed my second question but I'll ask all the same: did it take you a while to get where you are now?
SR: Ooh yes!, It took a lot of time and studies, After GSTS, I went to Takoradi Polytechnic for a year's course in General Engineering, worked for a couple of years, before coming to Montreal ,Canada. I attended Dawson College then on to Concordia University, finally completing in 1988. Luckily I got the work I am doing now right after . Remember also, that, I was working and studying most of this school period in Canada.

gsts.net: Some serious student, huh? I thought so. Tell us some more about you, Sam: have you got your own family yet?
SR: Yes, by the grace of God, I am married, and we have been blessed with 3 lovely children, 2 beautiful girls and a happy -go - lucky son.

gsts.net: Good to know and as always, congratulations! It seems we've had lots of single guys on here than the married folk. We need the likes of you encourage the single guys out there. You keep your question to yourself for the mo. I'll them all right after here lol! Right, let's go back in time a lil bit: umm... why GSTS? I mean why did you choose it and not any other school for your secondary education?
SR: The truth is that I had no hand in this. I come from a family in which the parents have the final say. Anyway, It was the best choice they made for me that year education-wise.

gsts.net: From what you've just said, I gather there weren't any regrets, were there?
SR: Are you kidding? Me? Nooo! GSTS and I were made for each other. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't have had it any other way.

gsts.net: Made for each other, huh? Well here's something for you all following this interview - with GSTS, that's very possible! So when were you admitted into the school; were you there for O'levels, A'levels or both?
SR: I came to GSTS in 1976 and completed my "O" levels in 1981. I had grade 1.

gsts.net: You did, huh? Congratulations!! Not many have been bold to say that but hey, it's nice to know what the School's helped Old Boys achieve now again. Anyway, were you a boarder or day student?
SR: I was a border, Aryee house (5).

gsts.net: Let's look at your time on campus for a sec; did you hold any office at all?
SR: A few, in form 3, I was the Garden monitor, in form 5, I was the Dorm monitor and the assistant Sports monitor. At the same time I was the Cadet Sergeant Major. The interesting part is that it was during this year that Cadet Instructor RSM Yaro Agande retired, so I was stuck with the training of the Cadets as well but with the help and cooperation of the other Cadets, we made it the best and disciplined Corps on the campus. You know. I have never thought of it as anything till you asked this question, now I see what we really achieved that year. Remember that with all these responsibilities, I came out with grade 1.

gsts.net: Nice one. I'm impressed! You sure were one serious student lol! Anyway getting back on track; did you enjoy doing all of that?
SR: Yes, every bit of it. They were difficult tasks and some days I felt like quitting, but the will to go on and knowing that all these guys looked up to me and believed in me, kept me doing it. It made me a real man before my time.

gsts.net: Hmm... interesting. OK, tell us what your best moment on campus was.
SR: The first day I stepped on the campus, for me, marked the beginning of the making of a man I am today.

gsts.net: And what about your worst? Come oon, every Sectechan has one or two. So.. what's it going to be?
SR: Oh God, I wish you wouldn't ask this question, anyway, it was a day in 1978/79 or so, when the S.P. Mr. Osei Boamah and some sixth formers and other forms students were dismissed by Mr. Cudjoe -the headmaster for a disturbance on campus, Can you believe it? It was almost final exams for them. God.

gsts.net: Aww man, that was horrible. But I'm sure Mr. Cudjoe had a good reason for taking that action. I bet now that you remember that incident, it may have made some much needed difference in your life. One never knows but hey, these things happen, right? Yeah, maybe. Maybe not. Alright, alright, let's move on to the good times. What would say were some of them?
SR: When the "O" and "A" level results are posted and we find how many of our warriors made it through (passed well), When we win the inter-colleges athletics, when the school's achievements are mentioned during speech days.

gsts.net: You got yours posted for all to see? Oh my gosh! Makes me wonder how many Old Boys stepped back on campus after that. lol! Well what can I say? We did enjoy our share of the intercolleges wins and school achievements. Right, would you by any chance remember any of the seniors who made your life "hell" on campus?
SR: Well, really apart from the initial homoing, I really didn't have that problem. Also I became close to all the ones that I would have feared like Lucifer-house 2, Wallace- house 5, Webb- house 4 etc. Remember, these guys were not bad, but looked big and wild yet I found them accommodating.

gsts.net: And were there any that made a positive impact on your life?
SR: Yes, the ones I spoke about above, the S.P.s like Sabaa, Osei- Boamah, Forson etc. and Seniors like Acquah, Andoh, Campbell, Opata etc.. they made me realize who I was and how to be who I wanted to be.

gsts.net: Now to the members of staff during your time; did you have any favourites?
SR: Hmmm! I will say all the tutors on staff between 1976 to 1983, like Mr. T.K. Mensah-English,Mr. T.K. Mensah-physics, Mr.Essel and VIM-maths, Mr. Boakye- french, Mr. Gamor-Geography, Mr. Ayemin-history, Mr. Kuda (Ambitious)-woodwork, Miss Blay-B.K. etc.

gsts.net: Still on campus life, what house would you say had the most "bad" boys?
SR: The first year I would say houses 2,4 ,5, and 6. These guys are not really bad. You know, when a teenager gets really big(boys) they scare you when you see them, I think this is what we termed as bad boys, but they really were not.

gsts.net: I was very much expecting house 5 to be mentioned and it was. Even though I was a member of that house during my time, I still don't know much about it. Someday I hope to know all about it. Right, were there any houses you avoided during your junior years because of the seniors there?
SR: Houses 2, 4 and 6.

gsts.net: That's nice; very nice. So in summary, how would you describe your time on campus?
SR: The best days of my young life away from home. GSTS was made for me, I cherished each day.

gsts.net: Got any personal achievements to date that you'd like all Sechtechans to know about?
SR: I guess my roller coaster education alone is achievement enough, because there were times that but for my hardiness I would have called it quits.

gsts.net: Hah, now that's very interesting. Guys, I hope we are following this closely. Well, have you any words of encouragement for our fellow Sectechans out there?
SR: Yes, I congratulate all of them. If I look at it in perspective, GSTS boys have really made it big. To those who are still in the struggle, I will say don't lose hope, it will "happen" for you too. Keep the faith.

gsts.net: Man, I couldn't have said this any better. This.., is good. Moving on to the present students on campus, would you have any advice for them?
SR: Oh yes! Boy, it is not easy out here. Forget about the chew and pour, forget about the last minute cramming, take it day by day and be really serious because you will need every bit of information you are being given by your tutors and even more to make it. But I trust you guys, with hard work and prayers you will make it, prayers alone will not cut it.

gsts.net: Are you in constant communication with any of your classmates?
SR: Through your program, I have been able to contact about 25% of them.

gsts.net: Is that right?! That's so cool. Guys we need to hear these success stories, you know? That's what keeps us at gsts.net going. Anyhow, have you got any mates you'd like to say hi to?
SR: All the tutors and students who were at GSTS between 1976 to 1983. Of course to all other Tescans reading this.

gsts.net: Now let's hear what you've got to say on this: what do think of The GSTSnetwork?
SR: Excellent, Brilliant idea, keep it going.

gsts.net: It's good to hear that but for us to maintain that, we'd need your help all the way. Anyway, so how is the future looking right now; you being a family man, with lots of experience, have a greeat job and all?
SR: Well, with the way technology is going, I will pray to God to keep me, my family and all friends like all of you healthy. I am not really worried about my carrier anymore. Of cause from time to time I go to update myself but I should be alright.

gsts.net: Just to let you know Sam, we appreciate every contribution you've made so far and we hope it wouldn't end there. I've enjoyed every second of our chat today and I must say, it was good to have you on here. From all of us at gsts.net, we wish you all the best. Guys, Samuel Robertson-Okine.
SR: Thank you.