Front Page
Commentary
Editorial
Feature
Health
Profiles
Perspective
Legal
Real Estate
Finance
Africa News
Community

About Us
Advertising Info
Subscribe
Survey
Chat Room
Bulletin Board
Guest Book
Search

Current Weather
7-day Forecast
Traffic Map

OPOKU WARE SCHOOL’S CONVENTION IN D.C. GLIDES TO A SUCCESS

By The Journalist

WASHINGTON, D.C.:- Opoku Ware Secondary School (OWASS) held its annual national fundraising event in Washington D.C. on May 27. Featured as distinguished guests were the current headmaster Mr. Dapaah Berko who flew in from Ghana and former headmaster and Chaplain Rev. Father Habits who currently resides in Holland. The event, organized to raise funds to construct a computer lab for the school also marked the first time that the current executives, with the help of some members of the local Akatakyie Chapter in D.C., successfully launched and initiated our agenda for the 2002 Golden Jubilee. With Akatakyie (as the alumni are called) arriving from various states to participate at this gathering, one could tell that the love and bond that characterize OWASS is still undiminished. About two hundred alumni showed up for this nostalgic event. As MC for the occasion, Ata Kwateng of Atlanta proved that he was a natural as he led Akatakyie in an inspirational ‘Samamo’ chanting.

The President, Nana Mensah Aborampa, outlined our goals and missions and our ultimate struggles to get all involved. "It is imperative that each chapter represented here take the message to your various states," he said. "We are in this together and working together must the main objective."

In a stirring and an emotional speech by Father Habits, he narrated how he had received prank calls from most anywhere and how people, particularly, Owareans thought he had passed away. He later launched into the long and captivating rise from teaching to becoming the headmaster and subsequently on to retirement.

Mr. James Dapaah Berko took the mike later and outlined the schools accomplishments over the years and how it has strived to maintain our objective of excellence. A complete transcript of DAPS’ speech follows. Dr. Oheneba Boachie - Adjei and Papa Owusu received exemplary awards for distinguishing themselves as true and inspiring Akatakyie.

SPEECH DELIVERED BY MR. JAMES BERKO AT THE INAUGURATION OF OLD STUDENTS OF OPOKU WARE IN WASHINGTON D.C. ON MAY 27, 2000.

Mr. President, Akatakyie, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and thanks to the old boys Association for the honor done me. I share the honor with the entire staff and students of the school since their co-operation, hard work, dedication and determination contributed immensely to the success we have chalked over the years. And to God be the glory for He has been gracious onto us, listened to our prayers and seen us through the years.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, Old Students Associations, apart from the nostalgic feeling the give, play very important roles in the lives of their former schools. They motivate students and staff to work very hard to maintain and improve upon the enviable niche they, the past students, through hard work, dedication and commitment achieved for their schools.

The past students also serve as role models for present day students, and I think that is the best form of motivation to get students to work hard. Old Students Associations also support their schools financially and materially. That is why I have supported the institution of Homecoming for old boys of our alma mater.

During the homecoming, old students spend the weekend with the students in the school. They sleep with them in the dormitories, eat the same food, share the ideas with the staff and students and organize career guidance for the students.

Mr. President, Distinguished, it is for the above reasons and many more that I am delighted to be part of the formal inauguration of Opoku Ware Old Students association in Washington D.C. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, permit me at this juncture, to congratulate you for working very hard to see your efforts come to fruition.

Mr. President, Akatakyie, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, we at Opoku Ware School are aware of the vision of the founding fathers of the school. A vision that is aimed at producing a Christian gentleman. A vision that strives to achieve an integral formation; a formation that has for its objective the development of a total human person. A formation that gives students the opportunity to develop their physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual talents for a balanced sense of responsibility.

Mr. President, we are also aware of the hard work, dedication, commitment and resilience of the pioneer staff and students, which made it possible for them to turn a near virgin forest in to one of the best schools in the country. We are also aware of the immense support the school enjoys from the old boys both at home and abroad. We therefore, aim at excellence in whatever we do. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the following report on the school clearly indicates our determination to protect the enviable niche that past staff and students have carved for the school.

ACADEMIC:

The school has become a center of excellence. It serves as a Science Resource Center, French Training Center and it is one of the few schools with computer facilities hooked on the Internet. Our Senior School Certificate examination results have been one of the best in the country. Since 1993, our results have been the best in the Northern Sector of the country ( Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Northern Region, Upper West and Upper East) and among the top four in throughout the country. The percentage of our students who qualify to enter the universities every year has been on the increase and now stands between 60 to 70 percent.

OTHER ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS:

Over the years, the school has participated in a number of academic competitions and our performance has been outstanding. We have placed second in the National Debate to commemorate Ghana’s Independence twice (1998 & 1999). After being the runner’s up in the prestigious National Science and Mathematics Quiz in 1995, we emerged the winners in 1997. In 1998, a second year student of the school won the National French competition. In 1999, we also emerged first in the Interzonal Debate organized by the Ashanti Regional students Representative Council.

SPORTS:

The school has always participated fully in all sporting activities organized by the Schools and Colleges Sports Federation and our performance has always been outstanding. In athletics, we are the only school that has won the Super Zonal trophy for three consecutive years, that is 1997, 1998 and 1999. In hockey, we have been either the champions or the runner’s up. In soccer, I am proud to say that we are the current Northern Sector Champions of the National VALCO Soccer Competition.

Mr. President, we were voted the school with the best sports record in 1998 and 1999. Mr. President, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, we have been able to achieve all these successes, because of the high standard of discipline. Discipline at Opoku Ware is very high. The Ashanti Regional Students Representative council voted Opoku Ware School as the most disciplined school in 1999.

PROBLEMS:

Despite the impressive achievements, we still need help. Mr. President, we can do with more reading books to help us cultivate the reading habits amongst our students. It has been observed over the years that English language is the Achilles heel of the country’s students, and we will appreciate any help that will enable us to improve the standard of English in the school.

Our computer laboratory will also do with a new server. The present server is too small to feed all the computers with information on the Internet. Sports equipment is also very hard to come by in Ghana and when found they are costly and of inferior quality. We will appreciate any help in this area also.

Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen, our alma mater will be 50 years old in February 2002, and we are taking the necessary measures to ensure that we give our "mother" a fitting birthday gift. I would therefore, like on behalf of all Akatakyie in Ghana, the whole Opoku Ware Community and on my humble behalf, to express sincere gratitude to you, dear Akatakyie, for the sacrifices you are making to make the Golden Jubilee a lasting and memorable one.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, before I resume my seat, I would like once again to thank my fellow Akatakyie in America for making it possible for me to be part of this function. Thank you and may the Good Lord bless you!

Listen to The Journalist's Soldiers of Fortune CD