gsts.net: It's good to have you on here, Emmanuel. Can you please tell us what you do for a living?
EI: I am a Structural Engineer.

gsts.net: Cool. GSTS will certainly not dry out of engineers, would it? I thought so too. Anyways, how long did it take you to get this far? And if I can add, did it involve a lot of hardwork?
EI: Somehow. After sixth form in 1982 I went to UST and got my B.Sc. (Civil Eng) in 1987. I went on to get my MPhil (Civil Eng.) after my National Service as a Teaching Assistant at UST in 1991. I got a scholarship to pursue my Ph.D. in the USA just before I finished my MPhil and got my Ph.D. in Structures in 1995 from the University of Kansas in the USA. So you can imagine how long I have being studying.

gsts.net: I sure can and must say we're all proud of you. Now, on to family matters: that's right, family matters. If you wouldn't mind me asking, have you got your own yet?
EI: Yes. I have a very lovely and beautiful wife by name Phyllis and three children, Kojo (8), Kofi (6) and Ama (5). Its a very love and happy family.

gsts.net: Now that's a big family man. Wow! Let's have a round of applause for Emmanuel lol!! Ain't he just the model for all the single guys out there? OK, let's get back on track before I get carried away. Tell us why you chose GSTS for your secondary education.
EI: For one, my senior brother was there. Also I wanted a secondary/technical school and obviously since GSTS was and still hope is the best I had no option apart from GSTS.

gsts.net: That's good to know. Next time you speak to him, tell him we'd like to have him featured also so we find out from him what you aren't saying. lol! Do you ever regret choosing GSTS?
EI: Not at all. If I have to do it over and over again, I will not hesitate to choose GSTS.

gsts.net: I hope you are not saying this because others have said so, are you. I know, I know. I'm just joking (smile). So what year were you admitted into the school?
EI: I entered GSTS in 1975 and finished "O" Levels in 1980 and "A" Levels in 1982.

gsts.net: A full blooded Tescan! Ain't that nice. And were you a day student or border throughout your time at school?
EI: Border.

gsts.net: Nice one. As for holding offices on campus, I can bet you did hold at least one. Tell us all about them.
EI: When I was in Form 5, I was the Entertainment Representative for Einstein (8) house. In Sixth form, I was the Entertainment Prefect.

gsts.net: Now you see why we need a hall fame? RM Ofori has been right all along. I have a question, though. Did you have your own cabin next to the assembly hall? OK, don't answer this just yet. We'll come back to it later. Still on offices, did you enjoy being "Enter P"?
EI: Yes I did enjoy every bit of it. I was the first to organize inter-school dancing competition in the Western Region, during the 1982 Interco.

gsts.net: What would say was your best moment on campus?
EI: My best moment on campus was when I led Einstein house to win the first and possibly the only inter-houses chess competition and was presented the award in front of the whole school at a closing assembly.

gsts.net: Man, you are something else. You'll definitely make it into the hall fame! We aren't done yet, tell us what your worst moment was;
EI: Definitely my first week in form one and the only time I did cry.

gsts.net: Awww poor you. Here's a good one: I remember when I was in form 4, I think, we had this lower six guy who'd just come with his parents. I guess on seeing that those present at his house were ready to "pond" him cried out, "Mama, yen ko fie"!! Now that's a sixth former for you on setting his foot on "Mother Tesco". Alright, alright, let's move on to the good times. What would say were some of them?
EI: When we fought St. Johns on the campus when I was in Form 4. All the intercos.

gsts.net: I'm not sure if we did any of that stuff during my time but umm... did we? Not entirely sure but it's good to know that's one the school's greatest moments when you were there. Anyway let's move on. Do you remember any seniors who made your life "hell" on campus?
EI: I do not think any senior made my life "hell". I was the type that tried to do the right thing and was liked by many seniors. Maybe also because my senior brother was in Form 4 when I was in Form 1 and we happened to be in the same house.

gsts.net: Hah, that explains why. Well there'd definitely be others who made an impact your life then if none gave you a hard time. Were there any?
EI: So many of them I cannot remember all the names. A few of the names I remember are Seniors Entuah (Ass School Prefect), Ben Sabaah (School Prefect) and Dokyi (SU Leader). These seniors inpacted me with the word of God. I am now a born-again Christian impart because of what these seniors.

gsts.net: Thank God for them and I hope at least one of them would be following this interview. Anyhow, did you have any favourite tutor/member of staff?
EI: No one in particular.

gsts.net: What house would say were full of "bad boys" during your time?
EI: If I have to choose one I would probably say House 5.

gsts.net: Is that right? No comment just yet. And what house(s) did you avoid during your junior years because of the seniors there?
EI: Although I was not afraid of any house, I would again say House 5.

gsts.net: Now this can't be right. I'm definitely going to look into this House Five thing. But it's produced some great guys too, hasn't it? Any comments, Aryee guys? Well in summary, how would you describe your time on campus?
EI: Very exciting, enriching and beneficial. I thank God for the opportunity to have attended this great school with great traditions. I really enjoyed every bit of my stay there and sometimes look back and consider everything I have now as a result of GSTS.

gsts.net: Got any personal achievements to date that you'd like all Tescans to know about?
EI: I have my Ph.D. and also P.E. in Civil Engineering.

gsts.net: That's a great achievement and I'd personally like to congratulate you on that. How about some words of encouragement for our fellow Tescans out there?
EI: We should be very proud and consider ourselves very fortunate to have attended GSTS. If we remember what we were taught whiles there and put them into practice things will work for us.

gsts.net: Man, I couldn't agree with you any more. Very potent stuff here, Emmanuel. How about those currently on campus following this interview? I'm sure they'll be itching to hear what an Old Boy has to say.
EI: You should consider yourselves very fortunate to be in GSTS. Do not take any of the subjects lightly, especially the technical subjects. They are very important and offers lots of opportunities. Respect for seniors and Masters is also very important and good training that you will need in future.

gsts.net: Are you in constant communication with any of your classmates?
EI: Not recently. I was until about 2 years ago when I lost track of the last one. I hope to establish contact through this forum.

gsts.net: You've come to the right place. Go right ahead and say hi to any of your mates who comes to mind.
EI: Samuel Boateng (Sam Boat), Adjei-Doku, Daniel Dadson (Dadoo), Amppiah (house 8), Andrew Dade and all the Class of 80 and 82.

gsts.net: Guys please do get in touch when you get the chance. Emmanuel would really love to hear from you. Now to my favourite question: what do think of The GSTSnetwork?
EI: Great. I must say I am astonished and proud. I think you guys have done a great job, keep it up. I think this is a great way we the oldboys can use to support the school in any way. By the way we need to start planning for the centenary in 2009.

gsts.net: That so true! The centenary anniversary better be great, which can only be just that, if we all chip in towards its planning and execution. That would be one BIG homecoming for all Tescans world wide! A page will be going up soon for you to send your suggestions regarding the celebrations to the Headmaster. Do look out for it. Thanks for your encouraging words and we promise to keep up the good work. Right, so how is the future looking right now; you being a family man, with lots of experience, have a greeat job and all?
EI: The future looks very great. Both my wife and I have a good job and family, but above all we have JESUS CHRIST as our SAVIOUR.

gsts.net: Ain't that just great to shout out about? Nice one (smile). I've really enjoyed talking 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.
EI: Once again I want to congratulate you all for the great job you are doing for this web. We should all try and support this in any way possible. Also I think we need to find a way to contribute and support the school we so much cherish. We have to remember that one person can not do it all, but if we pull our resources together we can do something positive.

gsts.net: Guys, Emmanuel Lee Idun: class of 1980 and 1982.