I Wanted to Attend Tamasco Not Ghanasco - President Mahama

I Wanted to Attend Tamasco Not Ghanasco – President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that his journey to becoming a student of Ghana Senior High School (Ghanasco) was shaped by unexpected twists of fate, despite his initial desire to attend Tamale Senior High School (Tamasco).

Addressing students, staff, and dignitaries at the climax of Ghanasco’s 65th anniversary celebration in Tamale, the President recounted his educational path with nostalgia.

He noted that after completing Achimota Primary School in 1971, his wish was to move on to Achimota Secondary School with his classmates. However, his father insisted that he continue his education in the Northern Region.

President Mahama explained that his initial preference was to join his older brothers, Peter and Alfred, at Tamasco. But fate intervened.

“I came a bit late and Tamasco said their school was full… unfortunately, that was their loss,” he said, sparking laughter among the audience.

He narrated how his father was then advised to try Ghana College, now Ghana Senior High School located along the Salaga road.

“I came here very little. The headmaster was Mr. Ofori. They made me sit downstairs in the teachers’ common room while my father went up,” he recalled.

At the time, the young Mahama secretly hoped Ghanasco would also reject him so he could return to Accra and enroll at Achimota Secondary School. But destiny had different plans.

“Mr. Ofori came down with my father smiling and said, ‘Young man, we have a space for you, and here is your admission letter.’ The rest is history. That is how I became a Ghanascan,” he said.

President Mahama, who was sworn in on January 7, 2025 after winning the 2024 general elections, attended the anniversary celebration with First Lady Lordina Mahama, herself, an alumna of Ghanasco.

The President’s assertion that he wanted to attend Tamasco adds another layer to the healthy, longstanding rivalry between Tamasco and Ghanasco.

For an alumnus who went on to become the President of the Republic to admit he once sought admission at the rival institution serves as a major bragging right and a loss that Tamasco alumni will likely be hearing about for years to come.

The event brought together alumni, students, staff, and dignitaries to celebrate Ghanasco’s enduring legacy and its contributions to national development.