“There is no time to waste.” That is the English translation of “BEEBƐ” the famous slogan of St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School. The Catholic missionaries founded this school in 1952. It is in the Osu district of Accra. The school provides quality education to young men. These young men’s families often could not afford boarding schools.
St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School began humbly. It started in Osu-Anohor near the shore. Only fifty students were there at first. Dedicated staff laid the foundation for growth. Father Alphonse Elsbernd was an early leader. Father Clement Hotze also played a crucial role. They sought government support and WAEC accreditation. These efforts were vital for development.
In 1963, St. Thomas Aquinas relocated to Cantonment Street in Osu. Its neighbors include the European Union office and the Civil Service Training School. The location places it in Accra’s active hub.
St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School has a sister school. It is Accra Girls Senior High School. They share entertainment and social activities. They also have educational exchanges. Their association is called STAAGA. This stands for St. Thomas Aquinas Accra Girls Association.
“Veritas Liberat” is the school’s motto. It means “The truth sets you free”. The slogan “BEEBƐ” means “There is no time to waste”. These guide the school’s values. The values are truth and diligence.
St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School has won many awards. It led West Africa in the Advanced Level Certificate Exam. This happened for three years straight. The years were 1972, 1973 and 1974. In 2004, it won the world cadet championship in London. In 2013, the school was named Overall Best High School in Ghana. That same year, it won the National Science and Maths Quiz.
Several notable people have attended St. Thomas Aquinas. Professor John Owusu Gyapong is one. He is the Vice Chancellor of The University of Health and Allied Sciences. Professor George Hagan is another. He is an academic and politician.
St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School started with fifty students. Now it is a large and successful institution. It has grown in size and reputation. It upholds values of truth and hard work. St. Thomas Aquinas continues to shape futures.