Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary (formerly St John's Seminary and College, nicknamed POJOSS), is an all-boys
boarding school
A boarding school is a school where pupils live within premises while being given formal instruction. The word "boarding" is used in the sense of "room and board", i.e. lodging and meals. As they have existed for many centuries, and now exten ...
, located at
Effiduase
Effiduase is a town and is the capital of Sekyere East, a district in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The Effiduase is known for the Effiduase Secondary Commercial School now Effiduase Senior High School and effiduasi senior high technical school. ...
,
Koforidua
Koforidua, also popularly known as K-dua or Kofcity, is a city and the capital of Eastern Region in southern Ghana. Koforidua was founded in 1875 by migrants from Ashanti. It is also called New Juaben. The city has a settlement city proper pop ...
, in the
Eastern Region of
Ghana
Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and To ...
. It was established in 1958 by Bishop
Joseph Oliver Bowers
Joseph Oliver Bowers, SVD (28 March 1910 – 5 November 2012) was a prelate of the Catholic Church from Dominica, who served as Bishop of St. Johns -Basseterre from 1971 to 1981. He previously served as Bishop of Accra on the then Gold Coa ...
SVD
''Svenska Dagbladet'' (, "The Swedish Daily News"), abbreviated SvD, is a daily newspaper published in Stockholm, Sweden.
History and profile
The first issue of ''Svenska Dagbladet'' appeared on 18 December 1884. During the beginning of the ...
as a
Catholic
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
seminary
A seminary, school of theology, theological seminary, or divinity school is an educational institution for educating students (sometimes called ''seminarians'') in scripture, theology, generally to prepare them for ordination to serve as clergy, ...
for boys who wished to become priests. Students are offered courses such as general arts, general science, business and visual arts to pursue and after their stay in the school, sit an external examination called the
West African Senior School Certificate Examination
The West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is a type of standardized test in West Africa. Students who pass the exam receive a certificate confirming their graduation from secondary education. It is administered by the West A ...
to be placed in any of the tertiary institutions in the country.
The students of the school are usually referred to as ''Pojomma'' while the alumni are addressed as Pojoba, to which they respond ''Daasebre''. Since its establishment in 1958, the school has achieved many successes and has produced great men for
Ghana
Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and To ...
and the world over. There are about 2100 boys in the school.
History
On 8 November 1953, Bishop
Joseph Oliver Bowers
Joseph Oliver Bowers, SVD (28 March 1910 – 5 November 2012) was a prelate of the Catholic Church from Dominica, who served as Bishop of St. Johns -Basseterre from 1971 to 1981. He previously served as Bishop of Accra on the then Gold Coa ...
SVD
''Svenska Dagbladet'' (, "The Swedish Daily News"), abbreviated SvD, is a daily newspaper published in Stockholm, Sweden.
History and profile
The first issue of ''Svenska Dagbladet'' appeared on 18 December 1884. During the beginning of the ...
, Catholic Bishop of the then Diocese of Accra, now
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Accra
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Accra covers the Greater Accra Region and parts of the Volta Region. There are 62 parishes and rectories. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Accra ( la, Accraën(sis)) is the Metropolitan See for the ecclesiasti ...
came to the New Juabeng Traditional Area in Eastern Region, Ghana on his first pastoral visit. He held discussions with Nana Frempong Mposo II, chief of the area, which led to the
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
mission acquiring land at Effiduase in Koforidua. Father Anthony Bauer and Fr. Henk Janseen were then asked to survey the land and their report was favorable. Early in 1955, Bishop J. O. Bowers decided to build a junior seminary for the Diocese of Accra on that land. In January 1955, Fr. Jude SVD, Dr. Balduricus and Dr. Lucian Orians came to construct the first buildings, one classroom block and a combined Fathers' residence and administrative block. In early 1957, Dr. Damian Brockmann SVD constructed the first Science Block. Today in its place stands a students' dormitory called Elsbend House, named after the first headmaster. In October 1957, Bishop Bowers appointed Rev. Fr. Alphonse Elsbend as the first Headmaster and Seminary Rector, assisted by Rev. John O'Sullivan and Rev. Joseph Skorupka and Bismark Sosu. The school's chapel was constructed the following year in 1958.
Opening
On 21 January 1958, St. John's Seminary and College officially opened with 45 students; 14 seminarians and 31-day students in two forms. One Ghanaian lay teacher, Mr. Paul Ohene-Boakye was employed to help the 3 SVD priests who had been appointed by the Bishop to teach and instruct the young boys in their academic work, moral and religious lives. In June 1958, electricity was extended to the school at the cost of 45 pounds. On 20 July 1961, the first Speech and Prize-Giving Day was held. The Guest Speaker was Rev. Maurice Lesage SVD. M.SC., then headmaster of
St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School
St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School is a Ghanaian public day senior high school for boys in the Osu, district of Accra in the Greater Accra Region. The school is currently located in Cantonments, a suburb of Accra. It was established to provi ...
in Accra, and the distribution of prizes was done by Nana Frempong Mposo II, chief of Effiduase. The school's enrollment at this time was 23 Seminarians and 90-day students, totaling 113 students. Pius Kpeglo (now a catholic retired Monsignor), Senior Prefect of the seminary and school, was successful in his G.C.E. examinations, and left on Scholarship on 7 August 1961 to do Philosophy and Theology at the Diocesan Seminary in Regensburg, Germany.
Change of name and absorption into the public education system
From 1958 to 1968, St. John's College operated as a private Catholic institution financed by the Catholic Diocese of Accra and by the school fees of the few students. Due to the high cost of running the school, Father Fredrischs, the second Headmaster, with the approval of Bishop Bowers, applied for incorporation into the Public Education System of the Ministry of Education of Ghana. On 1 September 1968, St. John Seminary and College was absorbed into the Ghana Education Service of the
Ministry of Education (Ghana)
The Ministry of Education (MOE) is a multiportfolio government ministry of Ghana, responsible for the governance and management of Ghana's education. It is responsible for the national education curriculum, primarily instituted by Ghana Educa ...
as a government-assisted secondary school. The name of the school was changed to
Pope John Secondary School and Junior Seminary
Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary (formerly St John's Seminary and College, nicknamed POJOSS), is an all-boys boarding school, located at Effiduase, Koforidua, in the Eastern Region of Ghana. It was established in 1958 by Bishop ...
to avoid confusion with other Catholic Schools in Ghana already designated "St. John". The name Pope John was chosen in memory of
Pope John XXIII
Pope John XXIII ( la, Ioannes XXIII; it, Giovanni XXIII; born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, ; 25 November 18813 June 1963) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 28 October 1958 until his death in June 19 ...
who had just convened the
Second Vatican Council
The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, commonly known as the , or , was the 21st Catholic ecumenical councils, ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church. The council met in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome for four periods (or sessions) ...
, and to keep the identity and purpose of the former St. John's College. The 2007 Ghana education reform under the
John Kufuor
John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor (born 8 December 1938) is a Ghanaian politician who served as the President of Ghana from 7 January 2001 to 7 January 2009. He was also Chairperson of the African Union from 2007 to 2008.
Kufuor's career has been spe ...
administration saw the school re-designated Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary.
Growth and development
The mustard seed which the
Society of the Divine Word
The Society of the Divine Word ( la, Societas Verbi Divini), abbreviated SVD and popularly called the Verbites or the Divine Word Missionaries, and sometimes the Steyler Missionaries, is a Catholic Church, Catholic clerical religious congregation ...
(SVD) Fathers of the Catholic Church sowed under the supervision of Bishop Bowers has hence seen remarkable growth and development.
In July 1992 the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Koforidua
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Koforidua ( la, Dioecesis Koforiduana) is a diocese located in the city of Koforidua in the Ecclesiastical province of Accra in Ghana.
History
* July 6, 1992: Established as Diocese of Koforidua from the Diocese of A ...
was erected, giving it autonomy from the now Metropolitan
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Accra
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Accra covers the Greater Accra Region and parts of the Volta Region. There are 62 parishes and rectories. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Accra ( la, Accraën(sis)) is the Metropolitan See for the ecclesiasti ...
. Most. Rev. Dr.
Charles G. Palmer-Buckle
The Most Reverend Charles Gabriel Angela Palmer- Buckle (born 15 June 1950 in Axim, Ghana) is a Ghanaian Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church, a former teacher and a key figure in the political scene in Ghana. He is currently the Metropoli ...
became the first bishop of the new diocese. The management of Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary thus became the responsibility of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Koforidua
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Koforidua ( la, Dioecesis Koforiduana) is a diocese located in the city of Koforidua in the Ecclesiastical province of Accra in Ghana.
History
* July 6, 1992: Established as Diocese of Koforidua from the Diocese of A ...
within the Ecclesiastical Province of Accra. Today, there is a professional teaching staff of 92 and a non-teaching staff of 85. There are over 2000 boarding students with a little under 100 seminarians. Pope John Secondary School now ranks as one of the best in Ghana, making its mark on all fronts; academics, sport, music, discipline, among others.
More than 8,000 students have passed through the classrooms and examination halls of Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary. Over 100 of its former students who have been ordained as priests for the Catholic Church, including Archbishop
Charles G. Palmer-Buckle
The Most Reverend Charles Gabriel Angela Palmer- Buckle (born 15 June 1950 in Axim, Ghana) is a Ghanaian Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church, a former teacher and a key figure in the political scene in Ghana. He is currently the Metropoli ...
. Others have become pastors for other churches and many more can be found in all spheres of life both on the local and international job market, contributing in diverse ways to the development of humanity.
School anthem
After years of existence without any official school anthem, Rev. Fr. Burke
SVD
''Svenska Dagbladet'' (, "The Swedish Daily News"), abbreviated SvD, is a daily newspaper published in Stockholm, Sweden.
History and profile
The first issue of ''Svenska Dagbladet'' appeared on 18 December 1884. During the beginning of the ...
(headmaster from 1985 to 1995) began the process for the school acquiring one. This was also partly influenced by the fact that though a young institution, Pojoss had already begun to claim many laurels and perform excellently on the educational scene of
Ghana
Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and To ...
. In 1997, he asked a student, who was also a member of the school choir to compose an anthem for the school. The student was Master Anthony Barnieh. Anthony's composition ("O Great Pojomma Arise and Shine") was submitted and was immediately adopted as the official school anthem. It was first performed by the school's choir in 1998. Today Mr. Barnieh is a teacher of social sciences in Pope John and the music director for the school choir and all musical groups in the school. Additionally, he is the founder and director of one of the best choirs in Ghana.
Early in the first decade of the twenty-first century, the monument of the Sacred Heart was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus under the chaplaincy of Rev. Fr. Justine Mensah and Master Emmanuel Obeng Codjoe (now a
Catholic
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
priest). The need for a song to the Sacred Heart arose and this was the ode chosen to pay respect to
Jesus Christ
Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious ...
. History, however, indicates that it was composed and used as an anthem by the school long before the introduction of "O Great Pojomma Arise and Shine". The two songs of Pope John have become associated with all meetings and gatherings concerning the school or its alumni (notable among which are the opening and closing masses), and have been incorporated into a hymnal for students. Other songs related to students’ life on campus include the famous Father Burke hits: "Life in this world is a great struggle", "I danced in the morning" and "We are going".
School attire
Christened the "Reflector", the school's uniform is a yellow shirt and blue pair of trousers or shorts which may be worn with the school's tie and blazer. The yellow shirt are mostly worn over a pair of shorts. Only form 3 or final year students are allowed to wear a pair of trousers. Other uniforms include the school cloth and the Friday African print wear. House jerseys are worn for sports and every house has its own color.
Culture
Pope John Senior High School maintains a very strong Roman Catholic culture which underpins almost all activities. It is by convention that appointment of the head of the school and key student leaders such as the senior prefect, student's chaplain and their assistants belong to the Catholic faith. Founders' Day
Mass
Mass is an intrinsic property of a body. It was traditionally believed to be related to the quantity of matter in a physical body, until the discovery of the atom and particle physics. It was found that different atoms and different elementar ...
is celebrated annually all over the country and in the school. There are administrative student units independent of each other. These assist the school's administration in governing the student body and maintaining discipline. They are; The Students' Representative Council (SRC), The Prefectorial Board, The Editorial Board, The Entertainment Board, The Chaplaincy Board and The School Cadet.
Academic departments
Academic activities of the school are structured into departments are headed by heads-of-department who are directly responsible to the assistant headmaster academics. They are the departments of General Science, General Arts, Business, and Visual Arts.
Curriculum
POJOSS follows the Ghanaian educational Senior High School curriculum, operating in a three-year academic cycle, from form one to form three. Students are taught throughout the year, over a period of three academic terms. The first term of the academic year marks the enrollment of form one students to the school while the third term marks the graduation of form three students. The programmes run by the school include
General Science
Science is a systematic endeavor that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe.
Science may be as old as the human species, and some of the earliest archeological evidence for ...
,
General Arts
A general officer is an officer of high rank in the armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry.
In some usages the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colonel."general, adj. and n.". OED O ...
, Business and Visual Arts. Form one applicants select four Elective courses. Unlike Elective courses, core courses are offered to all students, irrespective of their programme of study. The core courses in the school are: English language, core mathematics, social studies, integrated science, ICT and physical education, however, students are only examined externally, in the first five aforementioned courses. There are subjects taught which are unique to the school because of its attachment to a seminary. They are Religion,
Doctrine
Doctrine (from la, doctrina, meaning "teaching, instruction") is a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the essence of teachings in a given branch of knowledge or in a belief system ...
studies,
Latin
Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
and Music.
Facilities
Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary has an ultramodern Science laboratory, a state of the arts I.C.T center, a library, a multipurpose athletic field, a basketball and volleyball court, among a host of others.
The school's Parent Teacher Association (PTA), the SRC,
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
and the
POJOBA have contributed to the development of these facilities in the school. The school's administration makes sure that these facilities are effectively used to enhance teaching and learning in the school.
Chaplaincy
Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary has a vibrant chaplaincy headed by a chaplain who is appointed by the
Archbishop of Accra
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Accra covers the Greater Accra Region and parts of the Volta Region. There are 62 parishes and rectories. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Accra ( la, Accraën(sis)) is the Metropolitan See for the ecclesiasti ...
. Among other things, the POJOSS chaplaincy is the headquarters for religious groups like the Catholic Students Union (CASU),
Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary ( la, Legio Mariae, postnominal abbreviation L.O.M.) is an international association of members of the Catholic Church who serve it on a voluntary basis. It was founded in Dublin, as a Marian movement by the layman and civi ...
,
Eastern Region and the
Sacred Heart
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus ( la, Cor Jesu Sacratissimum) is one of the most widely practised and well-known Catholic devotions, wherein the heart of Jesus is viewed as a symbol of "God's boundless and passionate love for mankind". This devo ...
Confraternity in the Eastern Region.
It, therefore, sees to the organization of the
St. Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas, OP (; it, Tommaso d'Aquino, lit=Thomas of Aquino; 1225 – 7 March 1274) was an Italian Dominican friar and priest who was an influential philosopher, theologian and jurist in the tradition of scholasticism; he is known ...
Day celebrations and Kwahu-Tafo pilgrimage held annually in the Eastern Region. The chaplaincy is currently headed by Rev. Fr. Joel Yao Kwame of the
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Accra
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Accra covers the Greater Accra Region and parts of the Volta Region. There are 62 parishes and rectories. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Accra ( la, Accraën(sis)) is the Metropolitan See for the ecclesiasti ...
.
Annual events
Throughout the school's academic season, events are held to enhance the formation of students in addition to academic work. They are as follows:
Founders' Day celebrations
Each year on 21 August, a Holy Mass is held in memory of the founding fathers of the school. It is celebrated by the Alumni of the school at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in the
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Accra
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Accra covers the Greater Accra Region and parts of the Volta Region. There are 62 parishes and rectories. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Accra ( la, Accraën(sis)) is the Metropolitan See for the ecclesiasti ...
, and by the students at school.
Holy Mass
The Mass is the central liturgical service of the Eucharist in the Catholic Church, in which bread and wine are consecrated and become the body and blood of Christ. As defined by the Church at the Council of Trent, in the Mass, "the same Christ ...
precedes the celebrations and in Accra, is said by all alumni-priests of the school.
Homecoming Reunion
This event brings together all alumni of Pojoss at the school for fun games. During this event, old boys deliver motivational talks to the students.
Speech and Prize-Giving Day
A speech and prize-giving day is held to award long-serving teachers and students who have excelled in all areas of their formation; academic work, sports and social life.
SRC Symposium and Funfair
This event is organized by the student administrative unit to bring together all sister schools and schools within the locality for educational symposiums, entertainment jams and socialization. Occasionally, schools from the
Greater Accra Region
The Greater Accra Region has the smallest area of Ghana's 16 administrative regions, occupying a total land surface of 3,245 square kilometres. This is 1.4 per cent of the total land area of Ghana. It is the second most populated region, befor ...
,
Ashanti Region
The Ashanti Region is located in southern part of Ghana and it is the third largest of 16 administrative regions, occupying a total land surface of or 10.2 percent of the total land area of Ghana. In terms of population, however, it is the mo ...
and
Volta Region
Volta Region (or Volta) is one of Ghana's sixteen administrative regions, with Ho designated as its capital. It is located west of Republic of Togo and to the east of Lake Volta. Divided into 25 administrative districts, the region is multi- ...
are invited. The event is given a unique name by each group of administrators every year.
St. Thomas Aquinas Day celebrations
Also known in student circles as ''Tom Aqua'', it is organized by the chaplaincy of the school. It brings together all Catholic students within the
Eastern Region to honor their
patron saint
A patron saint, patroness saint, patron hallow or heavenly protector is a saint who in Catholicism, Anglicanism, or Eastern Orthodoxy is regarded as the heavenly advocate of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or perso ...
,
St. Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas, OP (; it, Tommaso d'Aquino, lit=Thomas of Aquino; 1225 – 7 March 1274) was an Italian Dominican friar and priest who was an influential philosopher, theologian and jurist in the tradition of scholasticism; he is known ...
and discuss matters affecting them.
Under the 2001/2002 executives of the Koforidua Diocese Catholic Students Union (KODCASU) the St. Thomas Aquinas Day was institutionalized. The first was organized on 2 February 2002 at the St. George's Cathedral, Koforidua. The main celebrant of the Holy Mass was Most Rev Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, then Bishop of Koforidua. Notable among the students were Mr. Emmanuel Obeng Codjoe (now Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obeng Codjoe) who was the Students' Chaplain of Pope John at the time.
Inter-house athletics
This event is organized by the Sports Department to award students who distinguish themselves in field and track events. It also serves as an avenue for sport boys to be picked in representing the school at National Athletic Competitions.
Elections
General elections are organized every year to select new prefects and student administrators for the SRC.
Campus
There are staff bungalows and teachers' flats where instructors of the students reside. There is also a Fathers' residence which hosts the school's chaplain and other priests of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Koforidua
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Koforidua ( la, Dioecesis Koforiduana) is a diocese located in the city of Koforidua in the Ecclesiastical province of Accra in Ghana.
History
* July 6, 1992: Established as Diocese of Koforidua from the Diocese of A ...
.
Houses
There are currently seven houses available for boarding students who require a stay throughout a term:
*Pope John Seminary (Pope john House)
*Bishop Bowers House
*Nana Frempong Mposo House
*Alphonse Elsbernd House
*Paul Boakye House
*Fr. Amos Fredric's House
*Most Rev.
Leon Badikebele Kalenga House.
Academic performance
Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary maintains a very high academic standard and has over the years distinguished itself in the areas of Science, Business, and Arts. In 2012, the school placed 9th on the
WASSCE
The West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is a type of standardized test in West Africa. Students who pass the exam receive a certificate confirming their graduation from secondary education. It is administered by the West Af ...
order of merit (
Education in Koforidua), and has emerged victorious in many inter-school academic competitions. A survey indicates that Pojoss contributes over 60% of its students to tertiary institutions around the globe every year. Also, in 2015, Pope John Senior High School came 1st in the WASSCE rankings.
Awards and recognition
*VALCO Soccer Tournament (1999) (Winner)
*National Independence Debate Championship (2000) (Winner)
*Milo Schools Soccer Championship (2001) (Winner)
*National Science and Maths Quiz (2001) (Winner)
*VALCO Soccer Tournament (2002) (Winner)
*Microsoft Internet Safety and Security Focus On Ghana (MISSFoG) National Quiz Contest (2009) (Winner)
*Junior Achievement Barclays Bank Chairman Awards (2009) (Placed Second)
*Project Citizen National Showcase (2011) (Placed 3rd)
*Ghana Youth Forum Debate (2012) (Winner)
*National Independence Debate Championship (2013) (Winner)
*National Independence Debate Championship (2015) (Winner)
*National Independence Debate Championship (2017) (runners up)(2nd)
Notable teachers
*Mr Emmanuel Agyepong (Received 3rd Prize for National Best Teacher Award 2001)
*Most Reverend
Charles G. Palmer-Buckle
The Most Reverend Charles Gabriel Angela Palmer- Buckle (born 15 June 1950 in Axim, Ghana) is a Ghanaian Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church, a former teacher and a key figure in the political scene in Ghana. He is currently the Metropoli ...
(former chaplain and teacher)
*Mr. Yaw Gyebi (Received 2nd Prize National Best Teacher Award)
*Mr. Isaac Amanor(Geography department)
*Mr. Patrick Larbi Lartey (former Senior House Master and Teacher)
*Mr Eric Bempoe (Senior House Master)
*Benedicta Fol
Former Headmistress)
Clubs and societies
Students of Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary are involved in
Extracurricular activities
An extracurricular activity (ECA) or extra academic activity (EAA) or cultural activities is an activity, performed by students, that falls outside the realm of the normal curriculum of school, college or university education. Such activities a ...
through their membership in clubs and societies. This has brought out the talents in many of the students and has been used in securing victories for the school through
debate
Debate is a process that involves formal discourse on a particular topic, often including a moderator and audience. In a debate, arguments are put forward for often opposing viewpoints. Debates have historically occurred in public meetings, a ...
s,
quiz
A quiz is a form of game or mind sport in which players attempt to answer questions correctly on one or several specific topics. Quizzes can be used as a brief Educational assessment, assessment in education and similar fields to measure growth ...
zes and boot camps. They include:
*Science and Maths Club (PJSMC)
*Literary and drama club
*School
Choir
A choir ( ; also known as a chorale or chorus) is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform. Choirs may perform music from the classical music repertoire, which ...
*Civic Education Club
*Child's Right International
*Mystical Vibes
*Olympic Club
*GUNSA
*Future Leaders Investment Club (FLIC)
*SYTO
*FRENCH Club
*
Catholic
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
Students' Union (CASU)
*
American Field Service
AFS Intercultural Programs (or AFS, originally the American Field Service) is an international youth exchange organization. It consists of over 50 independent, not-for-profit organizations, each with its own network of volunteers, professional ...
(AFS)
*
Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary ( la, Legio Mariae, postnominal abbreviation L.O.M.) is an international association of members of the Catholic Church who serve it on a voluntary basis. It was founded in Dublin, as a Marian movement by the layman and civi ...
*
Knights of the Altar
*Air force Cadet
*
Red Cross Society
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the world's largest group of non-governmental organizations working on humanitarian aid, is composed of the following bodies:
*The ''International Committee of the Red Cross'' (ICRC), a comm ...
*Art Renaissance Club
*Pope John InfoTech Club
*Junior Achievement Company
*Students' Representative Council (SRC)
*School Brass Band
*Scholarship and Talent Club
*Business club (GNABS, POJOSS)
Student Representative Council
Due to the large size of the school and student body, administration has been decentralized to the students level to ensure the maintenance of high standard of discipline in the school. At the helm of student administration is the Students' Representative Council, headed by a President with two assistants who perform the role of Senior Prefects as well.
All other student groups, clubs and societies fall under the SRC and are accountable to its president. Among other things, the SRC ensures the maintenance of discipline among students and promotes a good student-administration forum.
It has over the years, also contributed to the development of amenities and infrastructure on the school's campus. Notable among these are the Visitors' Lounge and students' bath house. It is currently headed by Master Franklin Amoh
POJOSS and Society
The Pope John community has through the decades maintained a very cordial relationship with society, especially with the
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
, the town of Effiduase in Koforidua and sister schools across
Ghana
Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and To ...
.
Alliances
POJOROSA
POJOROSA is the acronym representing the alliance between Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary and St. Roses Senior High School. This alliance has been made manifest in the marriages of alumni of the two schools. Teachers from St. Roses have taught in Pojoss and vice versa. Alumni from Pojoss have also returned the gesture and taught in St. Roses. Annual programmes organized by the two schools are often well attended by students of the schools as a gesture of the friendliness they bear toward each other. Apart from all these, Pope John and Saint Roses share the same heritage in their founding fathers, the
SVD
''Svenska Dagbladet'' (, "The Swedish Daily News"), abbreviated SvD, is a daily newspaper published in Stockholm, Sweden.
History and profile
The first issue of ''Svenska Dagbladet'' appeared on 18 December 1884. During the beginning of the ...
missionaries.
But now it is POJOKRO. It is the collaboration with Pojoss students and Krobo girls. The bond has been a strong bond for the past years. Pope John Senior High School and minor seminary teachers teach in Krobo senior high school and vice versa.
POJOKRO
POJOSS' relationship with Krobo Girls' Senior High School has also resulted in the birth of POJOKRO: Though many see this as an impossible alliance owing to the fact that Krobo Girls' is a Presbyterian school, the students have often tried to breach that divide by inviting students of Krobo Girls' to some of their annual programmes.
The Roman Catholic Church
The church maintains a cordial relationship with Pojoss. Many of the school's alumni have become Roman Catholic priests for the dioceses all over Ghana. The school's boys' choir has performed at many Catholic events including the burial mass of their founder, Joseph Bowers. Catholic programmes are often held in Pope John, notable among which is the Sacred Heart Congress.
Electoral Commission of Ghana
Pojoss remains a polling station where elections in Ghana are concerned. Members of the school staff are often employed as polling officials in every general election of the country.
The
University of Education, Winneba
A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, th ...
The academic campus of Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary is used weekly as a weekend campus for Koforidua-resident distant learners offering courses at the university. Some of the school's teaching staff also give tuition at these weekend lectures.
Affiliations
The Roman Catholic Church
The establishment of Pope John was a vision initiated by the Roman Catholic church. It is therefore known as a Catholic school. The seminary continues to receive funding from the church to support the formation of seminarians.
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
There is an informal relationship with KNUST. Most of the university's senior lecturers including its immediate past vice chancellor are alumni of Pope John. Additionally, a considerable number of alumni are enrolled in KNUST annually. In 2012 under the Community Impact Program, KNUST donated books to the school's library and supervised the renovation of its science lab.
Rivalry
There exists a friendly rivalry between Pope John Senior High and
St. Peter's Boys Senior Secondary School
St. Peter's Senior High School, or PERSCO, is a Roman Catholic boys' senior high school in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The school was established in 1957 by the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD). The school is located in the town of Nkwa ...
, Nkwatia. Inter-school programmes are therefore held termly to promote unity and cordiality among students of the two institutions.
Chronology of headmasters
Notable alumni
Clergy
*
Archbishop Charles G. Palmer- Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast
Politics, government, and public policy
*
Samuel Nuamah Donkor, Former MP for New Juaben North, Minister of Health and Ashanti Regional Minister
*
Edward Omane Boamah
Edward Kofi Omane Boamah is a Ghanaian Politician who served as the Minister for Communications and Spokesperson to the President of the Republic of Ghana. Omane Boamah is a member of the National Democratic Congress.
Education
He attende ...
, Former Minister of Communications
*
Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, MP for Lower Manya Krobo and Former Deputy Minister of Defence
*
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister of Information and MP for Ofoasi/Ayirebi
*
Franklin Cudjoe
Franklin Cudjoe (16 February 1976) is a Ghanaian author and social political commentator. He is the Founding President and chief executive officer (CEO) of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education.
Education
He attended St. Mary's Seminary/Senio ...
, Founder and President of
IMANI Centre for Policy and Education
The IMANI Center for Policy and Education is a think tank based in Accra, Ghana. As a member of the Atlas Economic Research Foundation, the think tank applies free market solutions to intricate domestic social problems. History
It was founded in ...
Law enforcement
*
Joseph Boateng Danquah, Former
Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) of the
Ghana Armed Forces
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is the unified armed force of Ghana, consisting of the Army (GA), Navy (GN), and Ghana Air Force.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces is the president of Ghana, who is also the supreme military commander ...
and Member of Council of State
*
Major General
Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...
William Omane Agyekum, Commandant of Military Academy and Training Schools
*
Brigadier General
Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...
Kweku Asamoah Yeboah, Director General of International Peace Support Operations,
Ghana Armed Forces
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is the unified armed force of Ghana, consisting of the Army (GA), Navy (GN), and Ghana Air Force.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces is the president of Ghana, who is also the supreme military commander ...
Academia
*
William Otoo Ellis
Professor William Otoo Ellis is a Ghanaian academic and a former Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He is a product of Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary in Koforidua.
Education
He started his ...
, former Vice Chancellor of
KNUST
, mottoeng = The knot of wisdom is untied only by the wise
, established = 1952;
Corporate, business, and finance
*
Maxwell Opoku-Afari, Economist and first Deputy Governor of the
Bank of Ghana
The Bank of Ghana ( BoG) is the central bank of Ghana. It is located in Accra and was formed in 1957. The bank is active in developing financial inclusion policy and is a member of thAlliance for Financial Inclusion
History
The Central Bank ...
.
Arts and entertainment
*
D-Black
Desmond Kwesi Blackmore (born January 12, 1987), known by his stage name D-Black, is an anglophone hip-hop and Afrobeat musician and entrepreneur from Ghana. He has been described as "a successful entertainment mogul"
Early life
Born Desmond K ...
, Hip-hop star and entrepreneur
*
Ibrahim Mahama (artist), Author and Artist of monumental installations
See also
*
Ministry of Education (Ghana)
The Ministry of Education (MOE) is a multiportfolio government ministry of Ghana, responsible for the governance and management of Ghana's education. It is responsible for the national education curriculum, primarily instituted by Ghana Educa ...
*
List of senior secondary schools in Ghana
This is a list of category b Senior High Schools in Ghana by region.
Ashanti Region
There are more than 180 Senior High Schools in the region.
Bono, Bono East & Ahafo Regions
Central Region, Ghana, Central Region
Eastern Region, Ghan ...
*
Joseph Oliver Bowers
Joseph Oliver Bowers, SVD (28 March 1910 – 5 November 2012) was a prelate of the Catholic Church from Dominica, who served as Bishop of St. Johns -Basseterre from 1971 to 1981. He previously served as Bishop of Accra on the then Gold Coa ...
*
List of schools in Ghana
This is a list of notable schools in the African country of Ghana.
A
* Aburi Girls’ Senior High School, Aburi, Eastern Region
* Accra Academy, in Kaneshie, Greater Accra Region
* Aburi Secondary Technical School, in Aburi, Eastern Reg ...
References
External links
*
*
Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference* http://www.ghanaschoolsnet.com/group/popejohnseniorhighschool/forum/topics/prominent-old-boys
http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/about-ghana/ghana-at-a-glance/56th-independence/20292-pope-johns-senior-high-wins-16th-interschools-debate, publisher=Ghana Government, accessdate=5 March 2013* http://cbcgha.org/cbc/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=179&Itemid=322
{{Ghana High Schools
Christian educational institutions
Catholic minor seminaries
Catholic secondary schools in Ghana
1958 establishments in Ghana
Educational institutions established in 1958
Education in the Eastern Region (Ghana)