Mawuli School’s 75th anniversary was a momentous occasion beyond imagination, which united both young and old “Mawulians” who had been shaped in their formative years in the walls of the school.
Of course, the preparation, organisation and promotion led by the members of the Old Mawuli Students Union (OMSU) especially did not go unnoticed, as it was arguably the main talk on social media platforms, especially in the past week.
For every Mawulian, the event was more than an anniversary; it was a carnival, a festival and a party to experience and not to be told.
The Ho township was painted in the symbolic yellow and green colours of the school; the principal streets felt waves with hundreds of “Haviwo”, as they are affectionately called, arriving in their cars decorated in Mawuli School paraphernalia as the “Pride of Volta”.
On Friday, arguably the longest convoy from Accra Mall to Mawuli School (a 160km journey) — full of “Haviwo” — made a grand entry into their alma mater and was received with great cheers by the students and other members of OMSU who had arrived earlier in the week.
The shutdown
The total shutdown, a late afternoon float on Friday, also saw a fleet of cars driving in a convoy from Sokode into Ho (over 15km), led by the OMSU Global President, Richard Nyarko Buthelezi, and other executives.
The journey saw the fleet taking over an entire side of a double dual carriage road from Sokode to Ho, forcing the police to make use of one of the lanes on the other side of the road.
The convoy defied the heavy downpour prior to the journey. The deafening sound of car horns, the shouts of Haviwo perched on car windows waving the paraphernalia of their alma mater, and the chorus of popular chants and the school anthem created a spectacular sight.
To the bystanders who could only watch in admiration and wish to be Mawulians, the Haviwo constantly shouted at the top of their voices, asking, “Wey school you go?”— to wit, “Which school did you attend?” —a vivid expression of their pride in their alma mater.
Call
Also, in taunting others in favour of the “Head, Heart, Heart” family (the school’s motto), the chorus rang in union, “there are only two schools, Mawuli School and Sunday School”, a call on all to choose Mawuli School.
The end of the convoy’s journey around 6PM Friday evening also marked the commencement of another procession called the “Akakati” procession, a procession which saw Mawulians wield burning flames through the streets of Ho in the evening amidst singing and dancing.
The procession symbolised the extraordinary success of the school academically.
It was an event which marked the school’s exploit in the Cambridge Exams when its first set of students, who were 19 in number, passed their exams, which was a record at the time.
Campus arrangement
From the school’s entrance through to the main campus, there were major decorations and renovations to match the 75th anniversary of the school. A giant 75th anniversary backdrop mounted at the entrance and on the school campus, used by many for photography.
The school’s popular gathering centre, the Baeta Park, was the hub of shows and displays of all manner of cuisines for “Haviwo”, who attended the 75th anniversary. Vendors grabbed the opportunity to make sales, “akple, fufu, banku, rice, beans, waakye” and all other dishes were served at the park.
The sound systems were loud with songs entertaining all who were present. The drinking joints were not left out, as enough spaces were there to cater for the preferences of all and sundry who attended the event.
The popular Borborbor and Agbadza tunes, led by the school’s cultural troupe, were a great source of joy for the old students who often joined their performances, reminiscing about their years in the Mawuli School.
The heavy deployment of police to the school also ensured security was top-notch and there were no casualties in the school and the streets leading to the school.
The durbar ground was full of ecstasy, a well-decorated ground which brought together several dignitaries, most of whom were past students and dressed in the 75th anniversary cloth.
The durbar was chaired by the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Torgbui Afede XIV, who described the durbar as one of the best he had attended, showing admiration for the OMSU for the excellent organisation of the event.
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, who also represented the Vice-President as the Special Guest of Honour, and the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, were also present.
The Chief of Staff of the Speaker of Parliament, Kofi Attoh, who is also the Chairman of Mawuli School, led the dignitaries who attended the event. The Minister of Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza; the Majority Chief Whip, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor; Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Eric Edem Agbana, among others, were also present at the durbar in their Mawuli School colours.
Projects
This year’s anniversary also witnessed what seemed like a contest in project deliveries among year groups. Leading the charge was the OMSU body itself, which built a four-unit two-bedroom quarters for teaching staff as the “Legacy Project”.
Also, the OMSU 2000-year group renovated and refurbished a six-unit classroom block popularly known in the school as the “White Block”; the 1994-96-year group also built a new washroom facility for the school.
Also, the 2005-year group renovated, refurbished and restocked the school’s ICT Centre with new computers and laptops to enhance the study of IT in the school.
The 2015 year group were also not left out as the youngest to have clocked a decade, as they marked their anniversary with the donation of 10 canopies, 20 ceiling fans and 11 waste bins to the school, a feat that was admired by many.
The anniversary represented a great love and affection of old students to their school and the spirit of “giving back” to the Alma Mater.
The writer is a member of OMSU 2015
