Once hailed as one of West Africa’s leading technical institutions, St. Paul Technical School (SPATS) at Kukurantumi, in the Eastern Region, is now facing a decline that threatens its once enviable legacy.
Known for discipline, innovation, and academic excellence, the school has deteriorated significantly in recent years, with decaying infrastructure and inadequate resources undermining the quality of teaching and learning.
Established in 1957 by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) Missionaries, SPATS was Ghana’s first Catholic technical school.
It began with just 18 students under its first principal, Rev. Father John Harpel, offering block-laying and concreting (later expanded to carpentry).
Over the decades, it grew into a respected institution, training skilled graduates in areas such as mechanical engineering, electrical installation, carpentry, and construction.
The school was later absorbed into the national public school system under the Ghana Education Service (GES).
Today, SPATS has a population of 2,767 students — 2,581 males and 186 females — supported by 126 teaching staff and 46 non-teaching staff.
Its mission is to provide market-oriented, high-quality training that equips graduates with employable technical skills, with a vision rooted in self-reliance and Christian values.
Despite this strong foundation, the school’s current state tells a worrying story.
Crumbling Infrastructure
Many classrooms are in deplorable condition, with cracked walls, leaking roofs, broken windows, and damaged floors.
These conditions disrupt teaching and learning, making the environment unsafe and uncomfortable for both students and teachers.
Shortage of furniture
The shortage of tables and chairs is alarming. In many cases, students stand throughout lessons or sit on damaged or improvised seating, writing on their laps. This undermines concentration and weakens academic performance.
Inadequate teaching and learning resources
The school library is almost defunct. Most tables are broken, and the shelves are nearly empty.
Students lack textbooks, research materials, and a functional study environment — a major drawback for a technical institution where innovation and practical learning should be at the centre.
A school in crisis: The decline of St. Paul’s Technical School in Kukurantumi https://t.co/VHJ4MT8gUG pic.twitter.com/eOS5gFZH0m
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Poor sanitation and water supply
Sanitation facilities are in disrepair, with unreliable water supply and poor waste management posing health risks.
These conditions affect student dignity, safety, and overall well-being.
Impact on education and future prospects
These challenges directly hinder the school’s ability to deliver relevant technical training. Practical lessons are limited, student performance declines, and graduates leave school less prepared for the job market or tertiary education.
Even promising new initiatives, such as the Water Technology programme, cannot thrive without improvement to basic infrastructure and learning resources.
Urgent intervention is needed to safeguard the school’s reputation and restore its capacity to train technically competent graduates.
SPATSOSA 2025 Homecoming: Renewed alumni support
In the midst of these challenges, the St. Paul’s Technical School Old Students Association (SPATSOSA) organised a 2025 Homecoming from November 27th to 30th, 2025, that brought together alumni from both home and abroad.
The event strengthened alumni unity and demonstrated renewed commitment to supporting the school.
Donations pesented
SPATSOSA, led by the outgoing National Chairman, Mr. Anthony Minnah, donated sports items to the school including six basketballs, four volleyballs, four footballs, one set of basketball jerseys, an inflation pump and mug bottles for the school’s coach.
Additionally, US-based alumnus Mr. Ansbeth Afrane donated assorted sports equipment, including football, basketball, and volleyball jerseys; footballs; basketballs; volleyballs; and 18 pairs of football stockings. These items were presented on his behalf by alumnus Mr. Sarkodie and received by the Principal.
New national executives
The alumni elected new executives with Charles Ntiamoah Amoako, the current Director of Technical Services at the Graphic Communications Group Ltd as : National Chairman, Paul Joseph Nii Odai Abbam as Vice Chairman, Chris Robert Ahuman Davies as Second Vice Chairman, Raphael Coblah Ahorbo as General Secretary, Felix Banfo as Welfare Officer, Millicent Twumaa Mensah as Women’s Coordinator and Joyce Danquah as Deputy Women’s Coordinator.
The new executives were officially inducted during the Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday, marking the beginning of their tenure to lead SPATSOSA’s efforts toward revitalising the school.
St. Paul’s Technical School, Kukurantumi — once a true beacon of technical excellence — stands at a critical crossroads. Its deteriorating infrastructure, inadequate resources, and poor sanitation threaten the education of thousands of students. Restoring the school’s glory will require urgent action from government authorities, alumni, private sector partners, and all stakeholders.
With a united front and decisive intervention, SPATS can rise again and reclaim its rightful place as one of West Africa’s premier technical training institutions.
The writer is an Old Paul, and the Engineering Services/Production Manager at Graphic Communinications Group Ltd.
