Giving back is a duty, not charity - Professor Abotsi tells APSU 2002 alumni

The Dean of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Law School, Prof Ernest Kofi Abotsi, has urged alumni associations to move beyond discretionary philanthropy and embrace giving back to their alma maters as a lifelong duty.

Speaking at the launch of the legacy project of the 2002 year group of the St Augustine's College Past Students Association (APSU) at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra on Friday, June 19, 2026, Prof Abotsi challenged alumni to rethink their relationship with their former schools.

"The topic of giving may just be a tired subject. But easy subjects make for boring conversations," he said, acknowledging the scepticism that often surrounds charitable giving while insisting that contributions to one's alma mater require deeper reflection.

Prof Abotsi, a member of APSU's 1993 year group, argued that many alumni continue to approach their alma mater with a charitable mindset, viewing the school as a needy recipient and themselves as benevolent donors in positions of privilege.

He called for a shift in perspective, stating that supporting one's alma mater should be regarded as an act of responsibility and nobility aimed at strengthening institutions that positively shape lives and society.

He reminded members of the APSU fraternity of the sacrifices made by generations of missionaries, benefactors and old boys who helped build the institution.

"Do you truly give anything to Augusco when you give, or do you merely honour the privilege of a unique heritage in whose commonwealth you share?" he asked.

Prof Abotsi also criticised what he described as the competitive "hosting rights" culture among year groups, where the success or failure of one group becomes a source of comparison or satisfaction for others.

He described the mindset as unfortunate and urged all APSUnians, regardless of their year group, to contribute consistently as part of a continuing obligation to the school that helped shape their lives.

"Shame for hiding! Shame for enjoying the pleasure of defiance against one's conscience. And shame for overly burdening younger and junior APSUnians," he stated.

Prof Abotsi further challenged the school itself to reciprocate the loyalty demonstrated by alumni, particularly by giving priority consideration to the children of old students during admissions in order to sustain the institution's heritage.

The event, chaired by former Cabinet Minister and 1961 alumnus Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, marked the launch of the APSU 2002 Legacy Project.

Dubbed BOLT (Building Opportunities for Learning and Transformation), the initiative involves the construction of a 14-unit, one-storey teachers' apartment complex to address the school's accommodation deficit. Currently, only 60 of the institution's 140 teachers reside on campus in Cape Coast.

Headmaster Rev. Fr. Dr Patrick Godfred Appiah commended the APSU 2002 year group for the initiative, noting that the project would improve student supervision and discipline, particularly in the wake of increased enrolment under the Free Senior High School policy.

Alumni groups from sister schools, including HOPSA '02, AMOSA '02, Bleoo '02, Santa '02 and MOBA '02, also made donations in support of the project.

The BOLT project is expected to be completed by December 2026, ahead of St Augustine's College's 97th Anniversary celebrations in March 2027. The anniversary will honour alumni and staff who have contributed to maintaining the institution's high standards since its establishment in 1930.

Contributions towards the project can be made through the APSU 2002 website, www.apsu2002.com.