The Great Teachers of Prempeh College

Mr. Wiredu-Boateng (JAJA OF OPOBOE)
Arts Subjects, mid-1970s

Written by Francis Yaw Berkoh Nketiah, Aggrey '79

He taught most of the arts subjects in the mid 1970's. If scholarship and imparting knowledge to students were the criteria for induction into this hall then I believe he was simply the best. I had him for form-three history. Even though I was slated to go into the sciences at this time, I took a great interest in history all because he made it fun and at the same time challenging. He was always prompt, prepared, delivered his lessons extemporaneously, and cast it in a context where we could relate to it. I quite remember his handling of the Kromanteng Negroes (mostly Ghanaians) revolt in Nova Scotia. He had us cheering at one point when he was describing how the revolt came about and what actually took place. Then some of us had tears in our eyes when he started to challenge us on how and why they got to Nova Scotia. He was truly the best.

He was very modest too. I remember once commending him for the extemporaneous delivery of his lessons. He said the person to admire is S.Q Sraha (Mr. Cockroach), who can remember the face and name of each student who passes through his hands. No one missed his class, sickbay people even tried to show up for his class, and there were reports of some students sneaking into his other classes for repeat of some lessons. He is probably the reason why I spend my evenings with the History and the A&E channels these days.

He was at Prempeh for only two years but I believe he did more for his students than some did in ten years. Sadly, he died in an auto accident on his way to a teaching position in Nigeria in 1978. For those who knew him we say "Jaja, rest in peace and you will forever be part of Prempeh's history. Obarima beyee bi, na wonson dee ekaa kakra se woyee nenyinaa".