DOWN THE MEMORY LANE

It all began on a fateful Friday in January after my mother returned from Apam Secondary with my admission letter having been accepted in the science program. Exactly a week later I was done preparing for the journey that lay ahead of me – my suitcase, chop box, mattress all intact.

Spotting a bright yellow-checked dress (as prescribed) with a pair of brown sandals we headed to the Kaneshie station. Though this was not my first journey to the Central Region it felt different. I was embarking on a journey which was to play a major role in deciding what the rest of my life would be – whether good or bad. I came across other students who were equally terrified yet excited about what Apam had to offer us and silently smiled to myself. I remember sitting next to a young lady on the bus who asked if I was a first year student of Apam to which I proudly responded “yes” where she wished me the best leaving me beaming with smiles.

An hour and thirty minutes later (which felt like eternity) we finally came across many palm trees lining both sides of the road and it was an indication we were nearing the Apam Junction (these palm trees still serve as a marker for me anytime I am on the cape coast road, that I am getting nearer Apam junction from the Winneba end of the road).

The driver having realized there were lots of students on the bus decided to drop us off at the administration block (instead of the main gate) as he would on any other day.  We were swarmed by young boys eager to help carry our chop-boxes, suitcases and other school needs once we alighted from the bus – for a fee of course.

While being excited about seeing for the first time what was to be my “home” for the next three years I however did take note of the school gates with the school motto, “obra pa gya owura kwan” to wit "leading a good life will take you places" boldly embossed on the old iron wrought gate; neither could one miss the science resource bus and the old boneshaker parked at the administration building.

After having completed administrative formalities I was finally told I was to be in House Seven (Ruth Botsio House), where my suitcase, chop-box and mattress were deftly handled by other students who had been assigned the job of assisting new students to settle down. As we walked down towards my assigned house it was hard to miss the bustle of student activities going on all around me. Right in my line of sight was a one storey-building and as it turned out it contained two houses; House Seven on the ground floor with Eight on the first floor. Right in front of the house was a big imposing tree with two benches in the background. Further left to the building was a verandah which I realized led to an apartment. I later found out it was my house mistress' abode.

Upon entering my room my soon-to-be roommates eagerly welcomed me and assisted with getting my bed done (something one must enjoy while it lasts because such pampering only happens on the first day of arrival) with my mum following closely behind to know where her daughter would be sleeping for the next three years of her school life.

It was quite a nice room with double bunker beds on each side leaving some amount of space in the middle for easy access. After a while my mum hugged me, told me to take care of myself and finally said her goodbye. I thought saying bye to my mom would make me sad instead I was brimming with excitement as I knew there was a lot to learn and explore in my new environment.

First year was daunting. Rising bell was at 4:30am and one had to get out of bed quickly to fetch water from the reservoir, get assigned house duties done, take his/her shower and get ready for dawn-prep by 6 am.  Assembly was at 7am after which classes begun. Breakfast was at 9am, lunch at 2:30pm and supper at 5pm.

Night prep was from 7pm till 9pm. Saturdays were spent doing laundry, general cleaning and preparing for a new week. Entertainment was at 7pm on Saturday nights with church services on Sunday. Reverend’s upbeat personality always made Sunday services a delight.

When it came to the dining hall food students rarely missed the Sunday afternoon jollof and Tuesday’s waakye special. Those days saw the dining hall filled to capacity.

First year had it highs and lows and there were times I wished I was home with family and at other times wished I could press pause on life so the great moments would last forever and never fade. As a first year student, seniors on duty (SOD) were people to avoid. They could literally make your life a living hell if caught on their wrong side. In retrospect, seniors on duty were much feared than other perfects.

Being late for assembly was a no-no and Mr. Yebo (the assistant headmaster) or any other teacher on duty would go after those still in their various houses – “scatee” as we used to call such episodes was something I was always amused about (and I secretly loved it). Moments like these unearthed the talents of would be sprinters and high jumpers and no one did “scatee” better than Mr Yebo. He would calmly walk through the various houses and allow the cane do the talking which drew laughter from those already at the assembly ground.

Speaking of sprinters, I recall representing my house in my first year during the inter-house games. I did the 100 meter dash and the 1500 meter run. Whilst my other competitors were on their 4^th lap I was struggling to finish my second lap. Those grueling eight laps felt like eternity and I silently berated myself for this foolhardy. I finished second from the bottom of which ended my rather short and sour love affair with the running tracks.

All too soon my days in Apam were numbered as I wrote my final exams and graduated. Though it was quite challenging I do appreciate all the good times and fond memories created. Some important life’s lessons were learned aside the academics which I believe contribute to who I am today.

Ten years after completing school never has these words being more profound. Indeed, Obra Pa Gya Owura Kwan.