The Architect of the “Padua” Nickname.
“Harmony makes us successful; variety makes us strong.”
In the history of Ebenezer Secondary School, our greatness was never defined by our infrastructure but by our spirit. Despite the absence of good sporting infrastructure, the name “Ebenezer” became synonymous with athletic dominance. From the high jump pits to the football pitch, we didn’t just compete; we dominated. We produced sports legends like Anue Coffie, Abeka Ankrah, and the incomparable Paul “Adwoa Panther” Annan.
While the coaches trained their bodies, one man nurtured the school’s soul: Mr Emmanuel Nii Adamah Armah.
For decades, the nickname “Padua” has been shouted from the sidelines and echoed in our halls, yet its origin remained a mystery to many. Today, we set the record straight.
The name was birthed in 1957 by Emmanuel Nii Adamah Armah, a true old boy of the school. He was a man of deep Catholic faith and often invoked the patronage of St Anthony of Padua to guide our sportsmen in competitions. He was the school’s “High Priest” during sports competitions. During intense competitions, his fervent prayers and the infectious shout of “Saint Anthony of Padua!“ became our battle cry.
The results were undeniable. Whether through divine intervention or the sheer confidence his faith inspired, the trophies followed. The name “Padua” stuck, not just as a nickname for the school, but as a testament to the fact that with faith, a school with barely basic sports infrastructure can still blow the competition away with ease.
To his peers, he was “Tojo”, a man of character and conviction. To the rest of us, he was a fountainhead of wisdom. Tojo was a man who spoke with a calm authority and carried himself with immense self-respect. He didn’t just talk about the school; he spoke passionately about what Ebenezer aspired to be.
At our 75th Anniversary celebration, the story of our nickname was nearly lost to distortion. It is now our sacred duty as old students, Paduans, to ensure that the annals of our history correctly credit Emmanuel Nii Adamah Armah. He is not just a footnote in our past; he is the reason we carry our nickname, Padua, with pride.
Nii, you have left a void that cannot be filled. You taught us what hard work, dedication, and living under the grace of the Almighty can achieve. As you join the ancestors, we take comfort knowing you are resting in the caring arms of the Creator.
Gbomo kpakpa, yaawo ojogbann! (Good man, sleep well!)
Written by ND
[The story told by MARTERSON ARMAH AND ABEKA ANKRAH, close confidants of Tojo]