When I was a kid I didn’t like female teachers. They would come at the beginning of the term all nice and dainty, but soon their bellies started growing for no apparent reason.

Their pretty faces will become contorted and distorted and they kept hoarding saliva in the mouth. I thought that was not very civil.

And when will the belly of Mrs stop growing out of proportion? I would wonder who was the bastard that inflicted Mrs with a balloon stomach. Yes the bastard! Who did he think he was?

Didn’t he know that Mrs couldn’t carry such a belly all by herself? And that she kept marking correct arith­metic work wrong?

I often got angry and went to my Dad to complain about the Mrs “She marked this answer wrong”.

I’d tell Papa, tearfully. “Bring it let’s see!

My Dad would look at the sum. “I think you are right,” he would say. “I wonder why she marked it wrong.”

“That woman, she is always doz­ing!” I’d tell my Papa. “This morning she tried to vomit, but nothing came. And half the time she is angry with everybody”.

“What might be the reason?”

“I think it is her belly. It is too large. Or is it the saliva in her mouth?”

I decided to ask Mrs why she was keeping saliva in her mouth.

The next morning I went to school and we were told that Mrs had gone on “maternity leave.” And what did that mean?

We were told that soon, she would be having a baby. Nonsense! How pos­sibly could a baby as large as the one in Mrs stomach come out? Through which exit? They must be joking!

Sooner than expected, the class was informed that Mrs’ had delivered a bouncing baby boy. And so what? She was supposed to be in class teaching us English grammar not de­livering bouncing babies.

Meanwhile, the male teacher who took over was quite different. We all noticed that contrary to expectation, his belly did not grow. At least not frontally or laterally. And he did not store saliva in his mouth. More so, he was arithmetically alert. The class was happy although he liked caning the pupils.

The man did not doze and he’d take us to PE and also teach us Christmas songs. He spoke decent English and marked the exercises on time. Then one morning he an­nounced to us that a female trainee teacher would be coming to teach us for a while. She was from a training college. I wondered whether this one was also afflicted with a swollen belly.

PRETTY

She turned out to be a very young pretty daisy. I liked her! “My name is Miss Amoah,” she intoned. “I’ll be teaching you for the next few weeks.”

I looked at her belly. I needed to reassure myself that she was not encumbered with a ‘bouncing baby.’ My goodness! Or was it because she was Miss and not a Mrs? What was the difference anyway? “I hope you are all good boys and girls.”

“Yes Miss!” we shouted in alacrity.

“I don’t like boys who talk in class. They end up as gutter clean­ers!”

We all laughed heartily and drummed on our desks. Certainly the Miss had a sense of humour in her head. How did she know that such boys ended in the gutter? And will they wear Wellington boots when doing the clean out?

“And girls who talk in class, do you know where they end up?” she asked.

“Yes!” we chorused.

“Who can tell me?”

“Farm!” one pupil said. “No!”

“In market selling tomato and garden eggs.”

“No!” said Miss Amoah.

“Hell!” (Laughter)

I raised my hand, I thought I knew this one.

“Yes you there!” Miss Amoah pointed at me.

“She’d end up with a swollen belly full of babies!”

The entire class convulsed into laughter. And it was Miss Amoah who laughed the most.

She couldn’t conjecture how I could come up with the idea of a distended belly containing babies just because a girl talked too much in class. But she realised upon a little bit of cogitation that there could be a link between talkative and babies.

DROPOUT

After all, isn’t it those who are idle talkers who aren’t serious with their academic work and end up getting pregnant and dropping out of school?

Last weekend, I watched it live on television when President Kufuor presented three cars to three lady teachers as the best teachers in Sikaman. I protested loudly. What have the male teachers been doing? Bearing babies?

My wife was overjoyed that fe­male teachers were making a mark. But my daughter was a bit skeptical. “How were they adjudged the best?” she asked me.

“Ask your mother!”

This article was first published on Saturday, November 12, 2005

Merari Alomele’s

• Female teachers bellies starts growing for no apparent reason

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Introduction

IN the annals of Ghana’s history, there are individ­uals whose contributions shape the nation’s trajectory, often without seeking the limelight. Kenneth Yirenkyi Darko, affectionately known as Ojukwu, was one such unsung hero whose deep desire for a just and equitable democrat­ic society propelled him into heroic leadership, a journey that nearly cost him his life at the University of Ghana campus in early 1978. Born on September 24, 1950, to a renowned Educationist and au­thor, Mr Daniel Offei Darko and Madam Comfort Ama Adubea Akoto, a Baker, in Aye-Kokooso near Suhum, Kenneth became a leader in the University of Ghana’s student communi­ty and a prominent figure in Ghanaian student activism. He and his contemporaries played significant roles in shaping students’ governance and activism in Ghana in the mid 1970’s. Kenneth’s life was a testament to his unwavering commitment to justice, equali­ty, and education.

Secondary, Teacher

training education and

early career as a teacher

Kenneth’s academic journey began at Osino Pres­byterian Primary School in 1956, where his exceptional command of English, fostered by his father’s private tutor­ing, set him apart from his peers. He later attended the Presbyterian Training College Demonstration Primary school at Akropong-Akuapem and had his Middle school education at Awisa Presbyterian Middle Boys Boarding School, where he excelled academically and developed a passion for sports. His academic prowess earned him admission to the prestigious Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC) in Odumase-Krobo in 1963.

At PRESEC, Kenneth’s charisma and oratory skills began to shine. He was an in­dependent thinker, unafraid to challenge the status quo, and his exceptional performance during a school gathering, where he recited a poem enti­tled “Death, Thou Shall Die,” left a lasting impression on his schoolmates. He completed his ‘O’ Level in General Arts in 1968 with distinction. He was a proud member of Odadee 1968.

Following in his father’s footsteps, he trained as a teacher at the Presbyterian Training College at Akro­pong-Akuapem from 1968 to 1970. After graduating as a Certificate ‘A’ Post-Secondary teacher, he was posted to his alma mater, Awisa Presbyterian Middle Boys School in Septem­ber 1970.

He was assigned as the Mid­dle Form 4 Teacher. He worked very hard as a class teacher and his students passed the Form 4 final examinations with Distinction. In 1972, having heard of Kenneth’s teaching prowess, one of his mentors, the late revered Headmaster of Adonten Secondary School, Mr. Primrose Victor Akoto, requested Kwasi’s transfer to teach English, Twi, and Eco­nomics at Adonten Secondary school. During this period, he studied and passed his ‘A’ Level exams as a private candidate, gaining admission to the University of Ghana, Legon, to study English Lan­guage, Linguistics, and Kiswa­hili in 1973/74 academic year. From 1976/77 academic year to 1978/79 academic year, there were several students’ riots which led to the clo­sure of universities in Ghana. Whilst at home, he applied for a teaching position at the Presbyterian Training College, Akropong-Akuapem and was assigned to teach English lan­guage in June 1977.

Student activism

and leadership

Kenneth’s university days at the University of Ghana, Le­gon, marked the beginning of his journey as a student activ­ist and leader. He evolved into one of the most charismatic and revolutionary student leaders in Ghana’s history.

He became known for his fiery speeches, insightful anal­ysis, and galvanising presence. As a leader of the ‘Students Action Group’, he mobilised students to push back against government mismanagement and advocate for reforms.

Some of the notable stu­dents’ riots he and his team championed had positive outcomes such as the transi­tion from students’ allowance dubbed: ‘Millions’ to the Pay As You Eat’ (PAYE),’ which later evolved into the Students’ Loan scheme.

Some of his contemporaries were Kofi Totobi Quakyi, The Ahwoi brothers, D.K. Osei, Addo Kuffour, Akwasi Sarpong, Akrasi Sarpong, Akwasi Owusu Acheampong and others who played significant roles in shaping student governance and activism in Ghana.

Disaster strikes

Ojukwu at Legon

The students’ agitations on the various campuses of Ghana universities which started on May 13, 1977 and was dubbed: ‘ALUTA CONTINUA’ kept run­ning through to the greater part of 1978. On January 13, 1978, during a protest against the Supreme Military Council (SMC) regime, disaster struck as security forces stormed the campus.

Despite Ojukwu’s surren­der, waving a white cloth, he was brutally beaten, leaving his skull fractured. He was so much brutalised by the forces to the extent that they beat him and left on the floor when they thought he had died but the Mighty hand of God brought him back to life.

The serious brutalities he suffered and the accompanied trauma and challenges caused some irreparable damage to his being which sometimes im­pacted on his emotional well­being. However, in the subse­quent years, he made light and humor out of his situation and lived to a ripe age of 74 years, to the Glory of God. His blood-soaked jeans jacket, saved by his father, later became infested with maggots, a grim reminder of that violent day.

Aftermath of the

brutalities

Due to threats from Military Intelligence, he was treated discreetly by herbalists till he was able to walk properly and later sent to Togo for political asylum. He returned to Ghana after the removal of General Kutu Acheampong from the SMC through a Palace Coup. From June 4, 1979 and again December 31, 1981 when Flt. Lt. J.J. Rawlings came to power, sadly, his health had deteriorated, and whilst most of his contemporaries had opportunities to serve their country in various political po­sitions, his condition kept him on the margins. In the opinion of many, Kenneth Yirenkyi Darko (Ojukwu) was one of the unsung heroes of Ghana students’ governance and activism. He prematurely used his life for the good of Ghana while pursuing his mission for fairness, equality and justice. Despite personal struggles and battles with life, Ojukwu’s spirit remained unbroken. He thrived and found strength to teach and serve in the Ghana Education Service until his retirement in September 2010.

Legacy

After his retirement in September 2010, he lived at Akropong-Akuapem where he enjoyed farming at Bom and teaching the children and youth in his neighborhood for free. People engaged him in political discussions and would consult him on matters of politics. He loved to read and spent time proof-reading and editing scripts/manuscripts for people. His rediscovery of faith at the terminal end of his life brought him peace, and he remained a man of the peo­ple, humorous, kind-hearted, and deeply connected to the downtrodden.

Kenneth Yirenkyi Darko’s life was a testament to his dedication to fighting for what is right. His legacy as a cham­pion of the people’s cause has endured, and his impact on Ghana’s student governance and activism remains signifi­cant. As a teacher, he inspired countless students with his passion for education and his commitment to excellence. His love for the Queen’s language and his insistence on standard pronunciation earned him a reputation as a great phoneti­cian.

Tribute

Kenneth Yirenkyi Darko’s passing on February 20, 2025, marked the end of an era. His siblings, friends, former class­mates and graduates from the country’s universities in the 70’s remember him as a gentle force, a fearless revolutionary, and a committed advocate for justice and equality. His legacy continues to inspire future generations to stand tall, speak out, and fight for a fairer and a kinder world. As his friend and classmate at PRESEC, Dr Stephen Ampofo, a US based Pharmaceutical Scientist aptly put it, “Darko Yirenkyi lived and pursued fairness wherever he found himself. He dedicated his life to fighting the wrongs not only within the walls of his academ­ic institutions but throughout the country where the impact of his crusade was felt and reverberated.” Kenneth Yiren­kyi Darko’s life will forever be etched in the annals of Ghana’s history as a testament to the power of conviction, courage, and compassion.

Farewell to a stalwart

Kenneth Yirenkyi Darko, Ojukwu, Comrade. A gentle force. A fearless revolutionary. A committed Advocate and Activist. A Legendary Philos­opher. A humble intellectual whose brilliance lit the path for many. He had a dream for a dignified, a just and a fraternal world and worked for justice and harmony. He fought with every ounce of his being for a just egalitarian society. His life is a testament of great sac­rifice of not seeking personal comfort for himself but fair­ness for all. He bravely walked this earth, embracing everyone as a brother. To him, everyone was a Comrade. He lit up the lives of many with hope and towed a path of simplicity. Though he endured great pain, his legacy of courage, truth, and justice lives on. Indeed, we have lost a great kinsman and a rare gem.

He will forever be remem­bered, not only in our hearts, but through memory activism, in defense of the Constitution, in service to the nation and in the ongoing quest for sus­tainable positive change and resettling the agenda for our beloved country.

May his soul rest in perfect peace of the Lord.

By: Dr (Mrs) Mercy Oforiwa Darko-Ankrah

Email: ofoankrah@gmail.com