Old Student Associations Can Strengthen National Integration

- Mr. Ishaq Kyei-Brobbey

By Siaka Kofi Duffour, Ashanti Region.

Mr. Ishaq Kyei-Brobbey has said that old student associations can be severally beneficial to the nation, serve as excellent role models and agents of socialization to other students and provide the platform for networking which can also help other students to get jobs after school.

He further indicated that it is when old students come together that their modest financial contributions can become significant and also help in the provision of social and basic infrastructure to their alma mater. Also, he said, the boarding system of our educational structure gives us a reasonable appreciation of friends from different ethnic groups and religious persuasions, which can strengthen old students associations and at the same time serve as ingredient for national integration.

He made this known when he presented a paper at a very colourful ceremony to officially launch the 70th Anniversary of the Effiduase Senior High/Commercial School, which he was the guest speaker.

The theme of the occasion was: “The Old Student as a Key Stakeholder in the Development of Education in Ghana – A Case of Effiduase Senior High/Commercial School”.

Mr. Kyei- Brobbey, the speaker of this memorable ceremony is a product of Effiduase Senior High/Commercial School, Effiduase Ashanti, T.I Ahmadiyya Senior High School, Kumasi, University of Ghana-Legon, and the Leicester University in the United Kingdom.

He is currently a lecturer and head of department of Accountancy and Accounting Information Systems, Kumasi Polytechnic. He has been an adjunct lecturer of Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) Business School since 2006. GIMPA is a premier Institution of leadership, management and administration in West Africa.

He underscored the importance of education in life, stressing that education is the pivot around which the development of every country revolves. This, he averred, can only happen through people, adding that educated human resource capital shapes the path towards national development.

Based on these, he proposed the formation of a very formidable old students association of his alma mater, Effisco, popularly known as “Mpanimfoo” and repeatedly said the opportune time is now, adding that “a journey of million kilometers starts with a single step”.

He therefore entreated all the old students of Effisco to, as a matter of great importance, to earnestly organize themselves towards formation of such useful, beneficial and indispensable body for the school.

On his part, Mr. Opuni-Mensah, the Headmaster of the school, said, building an institution requires an individual vision based on achievable mission and/or objectives and stressed that these laudable mission is possible only through the collective commitment and support of the school management, members of staff, students, old and new respectively.

He concluded that the contribution of the Central Government, District/Municipal Assemblies, traditional authorities and parents are indispensable and play very important role in the provision of basic and social infrastructure for the school, and said the actual celebration of the school’s 70th anniversary will be fixed in a date in February, next year (2013).

The event was officially launched by Agyewodin (Professor) Adu-Gyamfi Ampem, Chairman, GES Council, and the Omanhene of Acherensua Traditional area, and was chaired by Nana Adu Ameyaw II, Omanhene of Asante Effiduase Traditional area.