By Peter Martey Agbeko, APR
This September marks fifty years since I first walked through the gates of St. Augustine’s College, Cape Coast—famously known as Augusco—as a wide-eyed fresher, unaware that I was about to embark on one of the most transformative journeys of my life.
I was assigned to St. George’s House, a proud fortress of character, rivalry, and camaraderie. At the time, our revered headmaster was the venerable Mr. Samuel Seddoh, a towering figure of quiet authority who didn’t need to raise his voice to command respect. A simple glance was enough.
My time at Augusco, from September 1975 to June 1980, was a mosaic of moments—some daunting, others delightful—but all indelible.
Of Books, Balls and Bathhouses
In Form Two, I found my rhythm—not in the classroom first, but on the hockey pitch. I joined the school team and proudly wielded the stick, relishing the thrill of competition. Sports were a huge part of our lives. Inter-house and intercollegiate competitions were electric affairs, especially the 100 metres dash and the grand finale—the 4×100 relay. These were the moments when even the quietest student became a cheerleader.
But of course, academics ruled. After the all-important Special Maths exams in Form Three, I found myself in Science 1—an elite class reserved for the mathematically gifted. Yet, somewhere between Boyle’s Law and organic chemistry, I realised I wasn’t cut out for the sciences. Sixth form was my renaissance. The arts called out to me and I found my footing in journalism, public relations, and public affairs. This new path eventually led me to the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) and later to Swansea University for postgraduate studies in Social Development Planning and Management.
Pay Day Blues and Joromi Delights
If you mention “Pay Day” to any APSUnian of my era, expect a shiver—or a chuckle. It had nothing to do with money, and everything to do with scrubbing the bathhouse under the eagle eye of the Form Three “Pay Day Monitor”. Cleaning the toilets, urinals, and the infamous “shanks” was a dreaded rite of passage. The shanks, in particular, were notorious for resisting multiple flushes. A lesson in persistence, if nothing else.
On the lighter side, meal times offered culinary hits like Joromi (our beloved jollof), Quartet (a humble but heavenly set of four fried ripe plantains), and Cracks, another plantain-based delight. Siesta after lunch was non-negotiable. The school might not have taught sleep management, but we all learned it anyway.
The Good, The Bad, and The Homoing
Boarding school toughened you. At Augusco, we had our fair share of seniors who found joy in ‘homoing’—the practice of bullying juniors, often for sheer amusement. It could range from kneeling for hours to losing your freshly bought ice cream at the Tuck Shop to a senior’s smirk and command. But there were also gentle seniors who showed the ropes, offered protection, and embodied the values we aspired to.
Generally, the sixth formers were above all that nonsense—regal, composed, and more focused on exams and future dreams. The housemasters were our anchors, maintaining order and sanity amidst the chaos of adolescence.
Legends in the Making
Our school was a hub of budding talent. Mr. Michael Plas Otwe (affectionately called Coach) doubled as a sports mentor and St. John’s Housemaster. He had links with Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs Football Club and opened doors for several gifted players. I still remember the likes of Gerald Fredua-Agyemang (Big Ben), Charles Paintsil (Ogidi), and Ebenezer Essuman (Chitallo), who dazzled not only in football but also on the track and field (High Jump). Chitallo, a true sports polymath, later played in Gabon and today serves as a reverend minister, his love for football undiminished.
The People Behind the Magic
Some of the teachers who helped shape our lives were unforgettable. Mr. Luke Gyesi-Appiah (Asuo), Mr. J. B. Koomson (Paa Kumi), and Rev. Fr. Gabriel Mensah (Diabolus) would later rise to lead the school. We had disciplinarians like Mr. C.B. Wilson(Paa Sobo), the witty and dramatic Mr. John Amos (a.k.a. Joe Wapi), and of course Mrs. Alice Marie Najem Agyeman, who brought her own magic to the classroom. These were men and women who didn’t just teach—they left a mark.
Of Nicknames and Night Studies
Ah yes—nicknames! You couldn’t survive Augusco without earning (or dodging) one. I had classmates who went by colourful names like Agoligo, Abele Kpoh, and Zatauchi. Some names flattered. Others stuck like chewing gum under a desk.
Evenings brought the welcome reprieve of night studies, our escape from senior tyranny and our chance to actually learn. For the truly dedicated (or paranoid), there was Mines—the unofficial post-lights-out study session.
The Augusco Almanac
The 724-page Augusco Almanac, published in 2017, chronicles the rich history of St. Augustine’s College and offers a wealth of engaging content across its 29 chapters.
Notable chapters explore themes such as the character of the Augustinian and APSUnian, cherished myths and legends, and profiles of distinguished alumni from various sectors. Reflections from APSUnians across different decades add depth and nostalgia, while chapters like “Reminiscing the Past” vividly celebrate the shared experiences of former students.
Time Flies, Memories Stay
Five decades on, I look back at those years with immense gratitude. Augusco taught me resilience, leadership, discipline, and the value of finding one’s path. It was a place of trial and triumph, of awkward teenhood and lifelong friendships.
Today, as APSU ’80 prepares to mark this milestone, I smile at the thought of all we endured and enjoyed—from the shanks and the siestas to the books and the brotherhood.
We were boys then. Augusco made us men.
