Anniversary celebrations of Adisadel college
Dr F. Appiah, an old boy who attended the celebrations in Ghana from Britain, writes his impressions of the events.The 75th Anniversary of the founding of ADISADEL College was celebrated in Cape Coast with all the pomp and glory as only that College can put up, early in July. Thursday 4th July saw the arrival at the College, Old Boys from all corners of the earth and most of them converged onto the ACROPOLIS to exchange greetings amongst themselves and with the Headmaster.
Friday 5th saw one of the most spectacular picnics - call it carnival if you may, ever staged in Cape Coast. With three Brass Bands and with the whole of Cape Coast joining in, including the Old Girls from St Monica, it was rather difficult to estimate the number of people who took part in the procession which was about half a mile long. The heavy downpour of rain in the morning with overflowing gutters did nothing to stop the enthusiasm put into the picnic and by the time the procession had left the town for the College the streets of Cape Coast had dried out.
When the procession reached the foot of the hill to the College everyone was supplied with a lighted candle and it was such a delightful sight to see the whole throng climbing to the College with the lighted candles.
The bonfire was lit by Justice Enoch Edusei in place of Prof Ebenezar Laing but unfortunately because of the heavy downpour of rain earlier on the logs were not impressed with the amount of petrol put on them. This minor hiccup was quite unnotice- able as all three Bands had joined together and each one dancing to the tune ADISADEL ON THE HILL.
Saturday 6th was the Speech and Prizegiving Day. This was marked by the pomp and pageantry of the Asantehene NANA OPOKU WARE II and his entourage of 92 subjects. It took NANA OPOKU WARE II 45 minutes to walk from the Headmaster's office to the Dining Hall. For the Old Boys who may not be aware, the Dining Hall has been so extended in both directions that it could take almost 3,000 people. The Dining Hall was filled with people while about another 500 were outside under an erected shed.
Speeches were delivered by the Head Prefect who gave an account of his stewardship. Mr K. B. AYENSU who was chairman of the organizing committee welcomed the Old Boys and their friends to the Celebration. Mr T.J. DRURY a former Headmaster of the College and his wife also attended and the former Headmaster delivered an interesting short speech about how he became the Headmaster of ADISADEL College ACHIMOTA School.
Then came the time that everyone was waiting for when NANA OPOKU WAREII, the special Guest of Honour, gave an interesting account of life at the College when he was a pupil Dr R.A. GARDENER the final speake expressed the hope of all Old Boys coming together to help sustain the College. The Speech Day was followed by a Grand Dance at the Great Canterbury Hall which was well attended.
Sunday 7th was when we wer treated to a very simple and spectacular Thanksgiving Service by all the Old Boy Bishops. Rt Rev DADSON, R Rev ANNOBIL, Rt Rev ACKUN, and Rt Rev YEBOAH, all led by The Archbishop of the PROVINCE OF WEST AFRICA. The highlight of the service was an appeal by the Headmaster for a new piano for the College. An amount of 40,000 Cedis was collected and including promises, made the final figure 60,000 Cedis The second part of the service was the unveiling of four plaques in the St Nicholas Chapel.
The first plaque was for Bishop HAMLYN the founder of the College. The second one was for Bishop A. J. KNIGHT who built the New College at the present site. The third one was for Canon C. H. ELLIOT the first ordained Priest from the College, and the last but not least was for Rev S. R. S. NICHOLAS a former Headmaster of the College
