Abuscodians honour Appiah Menka

The old students of the Abuakwa State College (ABUSCO) at Kyebi in the Eastern Region have honoured Mr Akenten Appiah Menka, a former student of the college. The old students, otherwise known as the Old Abuscodians Association, used the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the college to bestow the honour on him.

The citation

In a citation accompanying the honour, the Old Abuscodians Association said on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Abuakwa State College, “we wish to acknowledge the contributions and support you have visibly committed to the association and your alma mater over the years.

“Since 1960, you have devoted your time and finances to the college and the Old Abuscodians Association. You initiated and outdoored the association at the Kumasi Cultural Centre in 1962 and became the first president of the association. You suggested, and it was adopted, that the name Yaanom from the name of your law firm Yaanom Chambers become the appellation response of the association and it has remained so till today.

“You have devoted your entire lifetime to the development of Abusco and the sustenance of the Old Abuscodians Association, having been the national president for more than two decades. The statue in front of the school's administration block was your personal donation to mark the Golden Jubilee anniversary of Abusco. You have single-handedly carried the load of the association on your shoulders for many many years and you deserve commendation par excellence.

“In 1987, a dormitory in the school was named after you, Appiah Menka House, in recognition of your sustained commitment to the college and your belief fulfilled that "you will always be grateful to everything connected with Abusco.

“In 2006, you initiated a project to raise funds to build an assembly hall for the college and spearheaded the launching of the Nana Sir Ofori Atta I Assembly Hall Fund. Your seed money was used to pay for the architectural design and drawings of the building.

“In March 2005, you were inducted as a member of the Council of Distinguished Alumni (CODA) and you have justified your membership so remarkably well. Indeed, you have been a pillar of inspiration for all old students and we have come this far because you have been our support.

“You studied at Abuakwa State College from 1950 to 1953 and you have risen high and high to the highest echelon in society as a Lawyer, an Industrialist, a Politician, a statesman and the Living Legend of Africa and we are very proud to have you as one of our very best. May God richly bless you,” the citation said.

Short profile

Mr Appiah Menka is an industrialist whose company, Appiah Menka Complex Limited, produces the Apino soap.

A lawyer by profession, he was a Minister of State in the Second Republic and a leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He was a member of the Constitution Review Commission which was established by the Mills administration.

Mr Appiah Menka is also the Chairman of the Ashanti Oil Mills, Appiah Menka Complex Limited and Appiah Menka Plantations.

He is also the Chairman of the Council of Elders of the NPP in the Ashanti Region.