The Joy of Success; Three AGS students Clock 9 1's in 2020 BECE
Esi Arhin • January 6, 2021
My daughter passed her Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) very well. I was particularly proud because I expected a lower grade for Math than she got. Feeling proud and excited, I asked about her mates she is friends with at school. Smiling, she informed me three of her mates made 9 1's. Aseda Philip, Emmanuel Nyame and Ewurama Nhyira Taylor made nine ones! My excitement hit roof top. She is friends with Ewurama so I am well acquainted with her. There's nothing more delightful than parents seeing their hard work pay off when children also put in the needed effort in their studies to encourage parents to work harder and stay committed to their responsibilities.
I had to congratulate Ewurama in person. I caught up with her recently at her home in Oyibi to find out how she got these remarkable results. In conversation with her she gave some insight. Meet 15-year-old Ewurama Nhyira Taylor of Accra Grammar School (AGS), Oyibi. She made nine straight ones in the 2020 BECE hands down. I asked Ewurama if she just got lucky or there is more to it. She smugly informed me luck is not a word in her dictionary.
"I believe solely in hard work, dedication and the blessings of the Almighty. I put extraordinary effort into my studies, and with my undying faith in the Lord and most significantly the utmost support and encouragement from my parents, I have been able to achieve these results."
Telling me about her academic journey from first grade she has always been the inquisitive type who asks questions often considered far beyond her years. She is naturally studious and tends to strive for excellence in everything she attempts. She has held leadership positions through out her years at school. She was a prefect during her final year at AGS. Her appointment as prefect taught her responsibility, she says. She learnt to appreciate punctuality and meticulousness; values she finds essential for a successful academic journey. Although the leadership positions she held helped propel her in a positive direction, it also made her feel a little pressured as she was expected to be a good example for her peers. Ewurama' s path to success has not been all easy.
"In the beginning of Junior High, l struggled with Basic Design and Technology (BDT) due to the complicated technical drawings. I found myself lacking understanding in that course. I was struggling so I put in more effort in that area of study. I started getting extra tuition in the subject. I also got a tiny notebook dedicated to the subject, to keep crucial notes. I paid so much attention in class to enable me understand BDT better. I also added it more often into my study schedule. With all these efforts put in place, I was able to secure a pass, not just an average one, but an outstanding one."
At a period, Ewurama felt a constant need for validation.
"This caused me to have crippling anxiety. I was afraid to even relax a little lest I fail. I doubted my ability and was afraid my efforts were not enough. Through assistance from my family, teachers and dear peers, I regained my confidence. Hence, I knew what I was bringing to the table and expected nothing less than nine 1's."
With encouragement, positive affirmations and support from her family she overcame her anxiety.
According to her teachers, Ewurama has always been an above average student. Regardless, she always puts in a great deal of effort into her studies, never complacent. Ewurama explains "I happen to be blessed all round and excel in most activities I partake in. I believe that no matter how talented one is, it is with constant practice and effort that keeps the candle burning. We are all blessed with a special talent, not all may be academics related, but whatever talent a person possesses can contribute highly to a more functional society." Ewurama commits to whatever she does and does so with seriousness. She sheds light on a particular subject that students at AGS in the past seemed just unable to grasp well enough.
"For a few years, not many people excelled in Religious and Moral Education (RME), but I was determined to break the "jinx". After every examination year, the chief examiner gives a report on the performance of students in the examinations and things to do in order to improve performances. Throughout the years, the outstanding problem the chief examiner mentions is the failure to understand questions asked, in an examination, understanding the questions alone solves the problem. So, I studied the GES approved past questions to know how we were expected to answer questions. My dear RME teacher, Mr. Siameh also put in a tremendous amount of hard work to ensure we were all well prepared for the examination."
Mr Maxwell Obuobi, one of Ewurama's teachers said this of her.
"Ewurama is one of the most humble, respectful and serious students I have ever met in AGS, she is a born leader since I knew her from grade 6. I always refer to her as Ghana's first female president. She always strives to learn ahead of the class. She will request to know the reasons why she was marked wrong in her class exercise or exams so she could make corrections next time. She always takes part in all extra curriculum activities, such as dance choreography, drama, quiz competitions and spelling BEE among others. She is one of the teachers' favourites. She was the " assistant teacher " for almost all the JHS teachers."
Ewurama says it is difficult to put into words how happy she is about the outcome of her efforts. She urges JHS 3 students about to sit for the 2021 BECE to read often and widely, spend a lot of time trying their hands at solving past questions, as the questions are mostly recycled. According to Ewurama, students should keep a positive mindset towards the exam, they should keep reminding themselves that nothing is too difficult. Paying attention in class during lessons is critical, as vital information that is not in the textbook, is passed on through class lessons. She adds that disassociation from distractions such as bad peers, addictive use of mobile phones and excessive watching of television, films and telenolas go a long way to help. She encourages students to also make time for leisure, as the brain cannot assimilate much when it is not given time off to refresh itself. Ewurama loves to swim for fun and also enjoys watching investigative films. She hopes her achievement will encourage other young girls to have confidence in themselves and believe that getting all ones is doable no matter where they find themselves.
Ewurama's mentioning of her parents' support helping her overcome anxiety is a resounding reminder for me that the benefits of direct involvement of parents in our children’s school activities cannot be underestimated. Researchers recognize the important role that a strong positive bond between home and school play in the development and education of children. A good bond between home and school contributes highly to well roundedness and academic success of students. Parents can be useful by demonstrating a positive view of education at home, sharing the values and positive outlook towards education and how it relates to hopes, dreams and ambitions to help motivate young people to persevere when they hit roadblocks in their academic pursuit. Encouraging reading help children develop interest not only in reading but also in many other subjects as well. Teaching children to enjoy reading is the single most important gift a parent can offer a child. It is also important to help manage the process of homework by setting aside a special place of study and establishing regular time for homework.
General participation of parents in school events and meetings is a good way of bonding with teachers and learning about a child's behaviour and challenges at school.
In my conversation with Ewurama I got a good sense that stability at home and active participation of her parents in her school life also contributed largely to landing her success in her BECE. Ewurama is looking forward to entering senior high school. She wants to study General Science and aspires to become a medical doctor in future.
Congratulations to Ewurama, Masters Philip and Nyame, their parents and the management and staff of Accra Grammar School for their hard work and dedication and also for making us all proud. Indeed, excellence is best achieved in community.
Esi's Blog
Ama Ata Aidoo's The Days , a picture book for children is a delight to read. Illustrated by Albert Buete Puplumpu, the book offers relatable descriptions of days of the week and their unique characters in a fun way. The theme of differences and similarities resonates clearly. The author employs the use of rhythm, rhyme, repetition and imagery to deploy the story. In comparison to how days behave, it plays on the characteristics of animals and things to enforce its message while encouraging children in an unsuspecting way to apply their mathematical skills. The simplicity of style and subject makes it an easy read for young children. At the same time, it holds a certain appeal for adults because of the subliminal meaning portrayed for those who understand the battles fought in daily existence. This book explores the possibilities in each day, painting a picture of life and its unpredictability in general. It assures the young that differences are normal and in fact to be expected. For adult readers it reinforces our knowledge and understanding of daily life challenges, leaving a sense of balance. The performance potential it holds is most exciting. Each day's character stares the imagination and evokes an actor in the reader. The colourful illustrations depict familiar images in ethereal bliss, typically that of the old village wall. The front cover captures the theme beautifully. It shows the different characters of days by seamlessly fusing together colours symbolizing the differences in days. The illustrations are very effective in enhancing the story. Although "Each day has hours of ten, ten and four..." "All the days are not equal" indeed. Children are sure to be entertained and learn about diversity. I'm enamored! The Days is far more than a good read. Children, gather round!
Navrongo, the capital town of the Kassena-Nankani district lies south of Paga, the main border crossing between Ghana and Burkina Faso. It sits at the tropical Savannah belt, Upper East of Ghana. I first made my way there sometime in September 2002 through a friend who couldn’t believe I had lived all 27 years of my life in southern Ghana, never having traveled up north. He insisted I needed the exposure and so he dragged me with him. He said I had not lived If I had not seen the sun rise on the Tono dam. So, one fine morning at 5:00 am, I jumped into his pick-up truck, and we headed up north where he had made a home away from fanteland. It was the longest road trip I had ever embarked on at the time, 15 hours on the road to be precise. Takeaway the breaks we took at Kumasi, Kintapo and Tamale. I barely noticed the hours pass as we chatted all the way with the company of Fela Kuti and Bob Marley playing in the background on repeat. To this day, the ride to Navrongo remains one of the fondest memories I have of traveling Ghana for work or leisure. This part of the country is home to two ethnic groups, the Kassims and the Nakanas. Historically, it is said that these two ethnic groups have had relative independence because the Ashantis didn't invade them. However certain treaties established by the British in 1898 an Anglo-French convention came up with an agreement to divide the lands. The Kassims and Nankanas were subsequently separated from their relatives who today live across the border, Burkina Faso. Older indigens of Navrongo know it as Navoro, which means (to put your foot down on soft ground). Today, the town is indeed soft ground to live and explore what new opportunities it has to offer, including access to tertiary education locally. The siting of Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences campus to the township has brought much warmth to the once laid back and very quiet town. Yet, it still remains relatively calm in comparison to Bolgatanga which is 30 kilometers away by road, about 40 minutes’ drive. It is an important market town in the area. The people are mainly subsistence farmers and rearers of cattle and goat. Navrongo is known for its famous mud-built cathedral and grotto, Our Lady of Seven Sorrows. Although it doesn't haven many formally designated places of tourist attraction, it is by its character a great attraction. The warmth of the people, the native architecture, fabrics, the market, the guinea fowl joints, the easy connection between humans and cattle in full glare, make up a total unique culture for experiencing. Marked places of interests in addition to the mud-built cathedral are the Tono dam, which is one of the largest agricultural dams in West Africa, also the first ever solar plantation and the health research centre. It is awesome to watch the sun rise ever so gracefully on the Tono dam.The rising of the sun is said to symbolise the journey of the sun in the sky. At about 5:00 am one morning my host and I set off on a drive to see the famous sunrise on Tono dam. The joy of watching the sunrise on the dam is next to none, with nature at its best early morning. The sun’s golden rays added a burnt orange colour to the smoky clouds. A small ball of light emerged from the sky at first. It then slowly starts to get bigger and illuminate. As if on cue birds began to chirp in glorification of the glow of the orange goddess. Its beauty is beyond description, I cannot do it justice. Suddenly, out of the blue it bursts out into a gleaming ball expanding at a moment's look. The first rays are gentle and soft on the eyes. It is a rare joy, eternally etched in memory. I have seen many a sunrise over the years but this one was magnificent, just as my host promised. It was worth every bit of the journey. One thing I found most fascinating is the hand production of ethnic fabrics by the women of Navorongo. They grow and eat their own food. They make their own beer(pito), their own beauty products from largely local materials. They build their homes with their bare hands also with local materials. They made ordinary what appeared phenomenal to me. There are some fairly decent guest houses and lodges to stay in, especially for low budget travelers. Moving around is not difficult, there are taxies and motor cars available for hire as well as collective rides. For a fun night, there are lots of drinking spots and bars to hang out and dig into some well spiced charcoal grilled guinea fowl or beef kebabs. You may sample grilled guinea fowl in as many grilling spots as you like. That is a sport in itself. I've had several opportunities to return to Navrongo after my first visit. With each visit the land and it’s people grow on me. Memories of Navrongo call. Nearly two decades after my first trip there, my heart still misses a beat at the mention of her name. Could it also be that the face of that handsome Kassim man still smiles on me?