IT was a well-executed surprise package for Ms Adelaide Kabukie Ocansey, the new Headmistress of Ada Senior High School, and, no wonder, the occasion evoked strong positive emotions from her as well as a memorable, impactful experience.
The day was Sunday, July 20, 2025, and Adelaide, who was spending the weekend with her family at Tema, was invited by the Administrators of the Webb of Excellence Welfare Fund, ostensibly for a ‘short meeting’ at the Datalink University at Community 10, Tema. The said meeting was scheduled to start at 4 pm.
And characteristically, Adelaide was right on time, accompanied by her mum and her sweet 8-year-old daughter, Keni.
The venue for the meeting also evoked some nostalgia from Dr Canacoo, who vividly recalled that he was sitting in that very office some 10 years ago as Dean of the School of Computer Sciences of Datalink Institute, when the news of his appointment as the chairman of the Board of Administrators of Webb of Excellence was broken to him and, not surprisingly, he proudly wore his official Datalink shirt to celebrate the occasion.
But when it was time for the agenda of the day, it was Adelaide, who turned out to be the star attraction of the evening – receiving high compliments from Webb of Excellence on her appointment as substantive Headmistress from June 2025 and also for her untiring efforts in assisting the NGO grow from strength to strength in its agenda of providing financial support, at tertiary level, for the best female student of Ada Senior High School.
Adelaide was presented with a half piece of cloth, a token cash award and a special acrylic plaque by the chairman of the Board, Dr Gabriel Ofoe Canacoo, on behalf of the Webb of Excellence Welfare Fund.
The citation read: “YOU have been part of the success story of the Webb of Excellence Award Scheme from its very humble beginnings and we can’t thank you enough for your time and support.
“YOUR dedication, commitment and hard work, has helped us, in no small measure, to continue to grow from strength to strength.
“YOUR meteoric rise from Assistant Headmistress (Academic) to the substantive position of Headmistress of Ada Senior High School, within a relatively short period, bears sterling testimony of your devotion to duty and spirit of sacrifice.
“WE pray that the period of your stewardship will mark a new refreshing era in the annals of Ada Senior High School.
“ADELAIDE KIKI OCANSEY, please, accept our warmest CONGRATULATIONS!!”.
Totally flabbergasted but incredibly joyful, Adelaide expressed her gratitude to Miss Webb, the founder, and the Board of Administrators for their thoughtfulness.
“I thank you for the opportunity given me to serve my alma mater and Webb of Excellence. I remember that even when, at a point in my career, I was transferred to Chemu Secondary School in Tema, your NGO kept in touch with me and made me feel a special part of everything that was happening. I thank you, most sincerely, for the confidence you reposed in me.
“Now that, by God’s Grace, I am back to Ada Senior High School as the substantive head, I have no choice than to throw my full weight behind your activities and ensure that you make a positive impact year in, year out,” she added.
Adelaide’s mum, who also shared in her daughter’s ecstasy, called for prayers and co-operation from all and sundry to ensure that Ada Senior High School makes giant strides.
The occasion was rounded up with a light refreshment.
