Memories of Emmanuel Quarshie

[Many thanks to Amb Dr Eunice Brookman-Amissah and sister Mrs Gladys Short for the update to celebrate Mr Emmanuel Quarshie].

Mr Emmanuel Quarshie taught at Mfantsipim School from about the mid-1930s. He was recruited from Wesley College to teach English and Gã. Over the years he worked as an overseas student of the University of London to obtain his BA degree, in the Classics. He then taught Greek, Latin, and English Literature for years. He was instrumental in staging Greek plays etc. He loved his students and took several pictures with various groups.

When Mfantsipim started Sixth Form courses, there wasn’t enough dormitory space for such students. The school then rented Onitsa House – at the bottom of the hill in Kotokoraba – and modified the ground floor as a dormitory. Mr Quarshie was appointed House Master and lived on the top floor with his family.

In October 1951, he requested a study leave to pursue a Diploma in Education (Dip. Ed.) at the University College of the Gold Coast, then based at Achimota. He died soon thereafter on 29 March 1952, at age 42, just a few days before the seventh birthday of Eunice. Bob Quarshie (Moba 65) was five years at the time. Bob went on to become a Gynaecologist, and now domiciled in Mafekin, South Africa.

According to their own testimonies, Mr Quarshie taught some prominent people including the late Prof Dickson, and Prof Adu Boahen who nicknamed him Stylo, on account of his great sense of style both in teaching and appearance.

Some family friends included Mr Charles Quaye, Bursar Mr N.O. Wright, Rev. Sneath, the headmaster before Mr Francis L. Bartels succeeded him.

His students in Onitsa House included Dr. Dua (later of Dua Clinic), Dr. Obo Quansah (who set up Circle Clinic in Accra), and one Mr Sowah. The colleagues included Mr C.J. Bannerman who was seconded to head Abuakwa State College, and Mr Quaye who also left to head Fijai Secondary School, Sekondi.

Mrs Beatrice Quarshie (nee Quartey) was a professional teacher in her own right, trained at St Monica’s Teacher Training College in Cape Coast, before the college was moved to Ashanti Mampong. Widowed at the young age of 37 years, she remarried in 1965 and became Mrs Takyi-Mensah.

Mr Quarshie’s children (from left): Mrs Gladys Short, Dr Robert Quarshie, Amb Dr Eunice Brookman-Amissah, and the late Mrs Doris Aggrey-Barlow.

Mr Quarshie – seated middle – with some colleagues and students.

Mr Quarshie with Mr Nathan Quao on Convocation Day, University College of the Gold Coast, in October 1951. Possibly, the first two postgraduate students of the University.

Mr Quarshie – in suit – with students

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