A teacher of the Methodist Day Senior High School (MEDASS) in Tema, Mr William Okantah, has expressed pride and immense satisfaction that so many of his former students have made it onto the national scene as talented musicians.
Mr Okantah, an English teacher who taught, among others, Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, Eno, Stay Jay and more, spoke to Showbiz about how all these celebrities were like during their school days.
Mr Okantah said it was always obvious that Sarkodie was going to be a star based on how he was involved in music back then, although as a student he was average.
“ [Sarkodie] was very respectful. For him, we knew he was going to do music because anytime he was done with school, he went to the studio. We knew it because, he sometimes mentioned our names in his rap songs.” he revealed.
“ One remarkable attribute of his was how he made sure his assignments were done and delivered on time. I don’t remember him skipping or running away from school He was an average student but with high potentials.”
On Stonebwoy, the teacher said he becoming a musician was a huge surprise because he was very quiet and unassuming when in school.
“Honestly, we didn’t see him [Stonebwoy] coming out as a musician at all. It was a surprise to us all. Stone was unassuming. One thing I remember him for was his humility.
“You know something, the day he completed school, he walked up to me and gave me a disc which apparently contained some songs of his. He handed it over to me and said to my face that he was going to be a star. And he has done just that”, he added.
“[Eno was] the daughter of a pastor so we didn’t see her coming out like she has. She was a tomboy but was cool and responsible. Interestingly, she became the entertainment prefect during their time and that was when it dawned on us that she was a talent to look out for.” he continued.
Mr Otankah also opened up about Stay Jay, who also attended MEDASS.
“He was very respectful. For him, we knew he was going to do music because anytime he was done with school, he went to the studio. We knew it because, he sometimes mentioned our names in his rap songs.” he said.