Copyright a1radioonline
On Friday, October 24, 2025, the sun rose over Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School with a quiet tenderness, marking the close of an era. After years of tireless service, Madam Patricia Agoteba Anaba, our esteemed headmistress, gracefully handed over the mantle of leadership. Yet, though she has retired from active service, her legacy still walks the corridors, shines through the gates, and whispers in every corner of the school she so dearly loved. When Madam Anaba assumed office in 2019, she came with a vision — a vision to uplift, to transform, and to beautify. Under her leadership, Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School rose to new heights, blending academic discipline with infrastructural renewal. Her most striking achievement — the magnificent main entrance that greets commuters on the Bolgatanga–Navrongo Highway — stands as both a physical and symbolic expression of her leadership. It has given the school visibility, dignity, and pride. The gate does not merely open to a campus; it opens to a legacy of purpose. But her touch extended far beyond that magnificent entrance. The once-dilapidated one-storey building that housed the Home Economics Department’s food and clothing laboratories now stands renewed — a structure reborn under her care. The school kitchen, too, received a facelift, equipped with water tanks for reliable water storage. Each project she undertook reflected her belief that the environment in which young girls learn should mirror the greatness they are destined for. Madam Anaba’s tenure was not only about structures of brick and paint; it was also about building character and restoring order. Discipline, under her watch, soared like *sidera aquila* — the star of the eagle. Ours became one of the few schools in the region where students were rarely seen loitering in town. The school grounds, once restless, became a haven of focus, calm, and respect — a reflection of her quiet firmness and motherly authority. Her tenure was also marked by celebration and history. It was during her leadership that Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School marked its Golden Jubilee, a milestone rich with pride and gratitude. And for the first time in fifty years, she, in collaboration with BOGSOGA, successfully organized a Speech and Prize-Giving Day, reviving a tradition of honour and recognition that had long been forgotten. Yet, like all great leaders, her journey was not without trials. She faced opposition, endured criticism, and was even invited by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) on allegations of nepotism and bias. But truth stood by her side. The Bureau’s investigations exonerated her completely, affirming her integrity and commitment to fairness. Through it all, she remained steadfast — calm in the storm, focused on her mission, and unmoved by fear. Madam Patricia Agoteba Anaba was more than a headmistress. She was a builder, a reformer, and a beacon of endurance. She taught us that true leadership is not about applause but about perseverance, even when misunderstood. As she steps into retirement, we celebrate her not just for the visible changes she brought, but for the invisible values she planted — integrity, courage, and resilience. The gate she built will continue to welcome generations; the discipline she instilled will continue to guide them; and the name she leaves behind will continue to inspire. Madam Patricia Agoteba Anaba, You came with purpose, You led with courage, You endured with grace, And you departed with honour. Your legacy stands firm — in stone, in spirit, and in the story of every girl who passed through your care. May your days of rest be long and joyful. May the peace you fought for surround you always. For you are, and will forever be, The Woman Who Built, The Leader Who Endured, and The Mother Who Left a Golden Legacy. Madam Agoteba, tooma, tooma. Authored by: Patrick Ayimbiley Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School Email: patrickayimbiley@gmail.com
