Old Toms’ honour Fr. Batsa

Members of the 2002-year group of the St. Thomas Aquinas Old Students (Old Toms), have recently honoured Very Rev. Fr. Samuel Kofi Batsa, at a thanksgiving Mass at the St. John the Evangelist Church, Adentan in the Accra Archdiocese.

Fr. Batsa at the reception

At the Mass, presided over by Fr. Batsa, a former Headmaster of the St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School at Cantonments, Accra, the Old Toms presented citation, cassock and vestment for their former headmaster.

Mr. Gabriel Nii Otu Ankrah, the School Prefect at the time, presented a citation of behalf of the group to their headmaster, and extolled the dedication and commitment of Fr. Batsa who imparted positively in their lives, and prepared them to take up roles in serving mother Ghana and several organisations in other countries.

Mr. Martin Akowah, President of the year group, explaining the rationale behind the programme, noted that it was important to celebrate their headmaster who gave them quality formation between 2000 and 2002 and for instilling in them lasting values.

He stated that the group members decided to say thank you to Fr. Batsa, while he was still alive, and not wait till he passes on to celebrate his deeds, as was the case of their two former assistant headmasters. He also entreated the old students to support the join forces with the Old Toms to give back to the School.

The homeliest, Rev. Fr. Samuel Appiasi, a former student of Fr. Batsa at the Pope John Secondary School at Koforidua, entreated Christians to reflect daily on who Jesus Christ was to them and live his values.

The Old Toms who actively participated at the Mass also presented offertory gifts, and had lunch with Fr. Batsa, the concelebrant as well as some faithful of the Church.

During the lunch, Mr. Akowah presented a portrait painting of the celebrant, as well as a tablet and an undisclosed amount to Fr Batsa.

The Old Toms cheering Fr Batsa

An overwhelmed Fr. Batsa thanked the students for the honour done him, and commended the organisers for their efforts in honoring him. He recounted fond memories of his 18-year stay at the school, urging them to uphold the values they learned and keep up the good works.

At the reception was Rev. Fr. John Benyah Mensah, the Parish Priest of the St. John the Evangelist Church, who is also an alumnus of the St. Thomas Aquinas School, who thanked the organisers in honouring  Fr. Batsa.  

Fr. Batsa had served his due to the Church and mother Ghana through his long dedicated to the formation of many Ghanaians as a teacher at the Pope John Secondary School, Koforidua; Achimota Secondary School, St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary, Cantoments among others.

Some of the old students recounted the discipline he instilled in them and the value of being truthful and honest at all times and in all things, which they agreed has helped them in their various professional endeavours.