The Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic and Students Affairs of the University of Ghana, Legon, Professor Emmanuel Kweku Osam has called for a stronger and vibrant network among schools’ alumni, to help sustain the values and principles of their alma maters.
He said alumni have a major role to play in the sustenance of their school legacy, and should therefore act as advocates in the re-branding of their alma maters.
Prof Osam made this call at the 84th speech and prizing –giving day of Saint Augustine’s College in Cape Coast, under the theme: “Sustaining the Legacy and Dignity of our Alma Mater, the Role of the Alumni”
The day was sponsored by the 1989 Year Group of St Augustine’s College Past Students’ Union (APSU’89), who undertook a school project to renovate the college’s Assembly Hall.
Prof Osam said it was imperative for the various alumni to substantially give back to their alma mater, by either providing the needed infrastructure, or bringing to bear their talents and expertise to enhance the growth and development of their alma mater.
Prof Osam who is an APSU 78 year group, further said it was the responsibility of the old students to organize regular training sessions for managers of the college, as well as embark on the mobilization of alumni both home and abroad to enable them contribute to their alma mater.
He called on APSUNIANS to be proud of their alma mater, and protect what he described as the “St Augustine’s brand” which is hard work and dignity.
He charged the students to take their studies seriously, and to live by the motto of the school which calls for hard work and perseverance.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor commended the 89 year group for hosting this year’s event, and renovating the college’s Assembly Hall, at the cost of GHC 95.720.94.
He also commended the Adjaye brothers for donating to the school a modern technical facility fully equipped with 63 computers, monitors and printers, values at GHC 250.000 and stressed that this should be emulated by many of the alumnus.
Most Reverend Matthias Kobena Nketsia; Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast, and patron of the college, called on APSUNIANS to live up to the expectation of the school’s motto “Omini Vincit Labour,” which he said, gives dignity to the college.
He also urged them to live by the holistic training they were given by the college, and endeavour to give back what they have received.
Most Rev. Nketsiah encouraged the students to join APSU immediately they complete school, and emulate the individual efforts of old students, and also endeavour not to forget the religious formation they have received from the College.
Joseph Connel, Headmaster of the College, said though it had received numerous support in the form of infrastructure and logistics from the government, the Parent-Teacher Association, and past students, it was still saddled with a lot of problems, including transport.
According to him, the college’s only Tata bus which is about 10 years old now breaks down often, whiles the truck for carting foodstuffs is also too old to move, and that a 207 Benz bus used to transport small groups of students to functions outside was now grounded and the college has to rely on neighbouring schools to transport students to functions and programmes.
He, in this regard, appealed to government, the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, to consider the college when distributing buses to senior high schools.
Mr Connel expressed concern about the non-involvement of school authorities in projects being initiated by government, stressing that drawings and designs for such projects are usually super-imposed on the schools, and heads must provide the space whether the fitting land size is available or not.
The headmaster was also unhappy with the fact that some parents instruct and direct their wards not to put their talents to good use in the college for fear of such activities engaged being at the expense of their academic work.
He said, for instance, a very potential student leader would stay away from contesting prefect position because the parent has warned him to concentrate on his studies, stressing that such cases could also be found in areas of sports, drama and debate , music and its related activities, such as drummers, instrumentalist or singers, and described the situation as unfortunate.
Mr Connel pointed out that the college provides holistic education to its students and ensures that all talents and potentials are properly harnessed and nurtured.
He urged parents to support the college administration to instill discipline in the students so that the holistic education provided in the college would be manifested in them .
Dr Daniel Duaquaye Darku, Chief Director of Roads and Highways who presided, commended the old students for their contributions toward the development of the college, and urged the students to always endeavour to pay regular visits to their Alma mater.
Deserving students, teaching and non-teaching staff were presented with awards which ranged from books to refrigerators and cash.
Source: GNA