OKESS Marks 85th Anniversary, Asantehene Graces Occasion As Old Student

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II over the weekend graced the 85th-anniversary celebration of Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School (OKESS) as an old student.

“I know many have heard that I attended OKESS but do not believe and here I am. My coming is to give you hope”.

He disclosed that his presence is to indicate his unceasing engagement with them and to encourage students on the possibility of reaching their goals.

“I came today for you to see that I was also here, I came to encourage you that if I went through here and have gotten to this stage in life then you can also do it. The Free SHS policy came during your time so you must all put in the effort and learn”.

In view of that, Otumfuo pledged his full support in the establishment of the school’s Girls’ Toilet facility as well as the ICT laboratory projects.

“I’ll keep an eye here as I come today, you mentioned things that have become of need to the school; a toilet facility for the girls, I’ve found out with the estimate and I will let it be done for you. I’m starting with this to show that I haven’t left the school.”

In his speech at the event, His Majesty encouraged the study of Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology (STEM) among students.

He stated that the study of science, mathematics and technology rules in the modern world as great development has surfaced from it.

He added that nothing should hinder anyone from taking up tasks concerning the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“Science is holding the world, what the whites call science, mathematics and technology. Many women have studied science and gone far with it becoming engineers and scientists so if a female has been able to do it and a male too has then you all can do the same too.”

The Asantehene also cautioned chiefs against the sale of the school’s land saying “if you believe you have land here do not come near the schools. What makes it worrying is the interference by chiefs on lands. When I ascended the throne the lands were sold out and the rest was also being interfered but I believe it’s all over now.”

The anniversary was marked on October 8, 2022, at the school’s premises on the theme “85 years of holistic education, the OKESS story” and saw the presence of the Deputy Education Minister, Hon Dr Ntim Fordjour, the Regional Minister, Hon Simon Osei Mensah, the Bantama MP and Works and Housing Minister, Hon Asenso Boakye, the headmaster of the school, Michael Mensah, teachers, heads of the various senior high schools, old and current students of the school.

Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School (OKESS) is the first second cycle institution in the Ashanti Region which operated under the name Asante Collegiate during its establishment in 1937 by the late J.T Robert, a Sierra Leonean.

It was situated at Asafo in Kumasi until it was taken over by the education ministry in 1962.

The school was later renamed after the Late Sir Osei Agyemang Prempeh II known as Barima Osei Kwame Kyeretwie in 1968/69.

After that, OKESS relocated to Dichemso and as a result of population growth extended to a new site at Old Tafo. The new site as facilitated by Nana Kwame Kyeretwie was demarcated in 1970 and by 1979 the school operated from two sites.

Osei Kyeretwie finally moved to the new site at Old Tafo in Kumasi in 2004/05.

Source: Opemsuo.com/ Monica M. Appiah-Manu