ST. AUGUSTINE'S COLLEGE , CAPE COAST

The 'St. Augustine’s College' just like Adisadel and Mfantsipim is a boys’ boarding school. The school initially started at Amissano near Elmina in 1930. The Roman Catholic institution was established to serve a dual purpose, that is, it was to serve as a training college and at the same time a Seminary.

Contents

History

Alumni

History

On the 6th August 1933, the Catholic Church under the leadership of Monsignor W. T. Porter, the Bishop of Cape Coast Vicariate considered the need to have a separate Catholic Secondary School. Cape Coast was found to be the most suitable to host the first catholic secondary school. As a result, by the end of the 1935 a foundation stone had been laid at the present site at Cape Coast and Fr. Maurice B. Kelly, the principal of the Training College at Amissano became the first head teacher of St. Augustine’s college.
The school was named after the great St. Augustine of Hippo (AD 354 - 430 AD). The cherished dream of the founding fathers of the college was that boys who pass through the college would imbibe the values and exemplary life of St. Augustine’s.
The motto of the college is “Omnia Vincit Labor”, meaning “Perseverance Conquers All”.
An important part of the culture of the school is that the head teacher, school prefect and his assistant and the dining hall prefect should be Roman Catholics. Also, the speech day of the school should take place on the Saturday nearest St. Patrick’s Day (which falls usually around second or third week in March every year).
St. Augustine’s College, popularly known as ‘AUGUSCO’, calls its old students ‘APSUNIANS’. There have been deliberate efforts on the part of both Holy Child School old students (HOPSA) and St. Augustine’s old students (APSUNIANS) to marry. The church believes marriage between old students of the two schools will perpetuate the Catholic traditions.
The population of the school is 1,461, with about 8% of them being day students. (Credit: The Fiankoma Project)

Alumni

Among a numerous number of famous old boys is Chelsea FC of England midfielder Michael Essien who graduated in 1998 and Mathew Amoah of Dortmound FC in Germany. Those who have excelled in both the academia and national politics include Mr. Donkor Fordjuor, a renowned economist who served as Ghana's Finance Minister in the second republic. He is a devout catholic whose immense contributions to both the school and the church have not gone unnoticed as he has been awarded by the Vatican among other Ghanaians such as Dr.Dr. Wereko-Brobbey of the KNUST,Schhol of Medical Sciences. Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom and Hon. Felix Owusu Agyepong, aleading member of the ruling New Patriotic Party.
The school has 10 dormitory's also known as houses among Ghanaian second cycle students. These are St. Peter's House, Glenn's House, St. Stephens House, St. Patricks House,St. Theresa's House,St. George's House,St. Luke's House, Kelly House, St. John's House and St. Joseph's House.
One unique feature of the school is its location along the West Coast of Africa. The administration block faces directly the Atlantic ocean and unique white color has earned the imposing structure the name "White House of Africa".