‘Adhere to principles of inclusive devt, rule of law’
A Former United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, has called on the leadership of the country to adhere to the principles of peace and stability, inclusive development, rule of law and respect for human rights to help promote the national development agenda.
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“You cannot have development without stability and peace, and you cannot have peace and security without development and no country can long remain prosperous without respect for the rule of law and human rights,” he stressed.
Mr Annan was addressing the Mfantsipim National Fundraising Dinner Dance and Awards Night at the Accra International Conference Centre in Accra last Friday.
The occasion was indeed a rendezvous for old boys to interact, dance and more importantly raise funds to complete an infirmary for the school. The cost of the project is estimated at GH¢517,000.
Hardworking old boys who had excelled in their areas of endeavour were recognised at the event, which was initiated by the 1964, 1974, 1984, 1994 and 2004 year groups of the Mfantsipim Old Boys Association (MOBA).
Mr Annan, who is a member of the 1957 year group said nation building “is an on-going thing,” and called on citizens of the country to focus on the positives in spite of the challenges.
“We all have an obligation in our own individual and collective ways to help develop Ghana,” he added.
Mr Annan stated that some of the lessons he learnt in the school had stayed with him and helped him through his career as an international civil servant.
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Measures to boost academic performance
The Headmaster of the school, Mr J.K.A. Simpson, in a speech read on his behalf, said academic performance of the school was still high and outlined measures that had been put in place to further improve upon it.
He catalogued the achievements the school had chalked up over the years, saying for example that in 2011 the school recorded 99.55 per cent pass. He said the school presented 483 students out of whom 356 made eight passes, 112 had seven, nine made six and two had five passes. “No result was either withheld or cancelled,” he added.
Mr Simpson added that the school was crowned national champions in the 2014 edition of the Maths and Science Quiz.
On discipline, he said the level of discipline in the school was high though a few recalcitrant students continued to break school rules, and cited for instance that some students continued to report for school with mobile phones with which they made very lengthy night calls, disturbing others who would want to sleep. Punishment for such offences were very swift, he stressed.
He, however, expressed worry that the increasing number of students admitted was exerting undue pressure on the school’s facilities, which needed expansion, adding that some projects which could have helped to ease the problem were at a standstill.
Welcoming old boys and the guests, the President of MOBA 1984, Mr Kwesi Budu, explained that the purpose of the event was to raise funds to expand the 24-bed facility into a 46-bed facility.
Awards
Those who received awards included the President of MOBA National Executives, Ebusuapanyin Dr Francis Poku, for his exemplary leadership, dedication and valour; Mr Tsatsu Tsikata, law; J. Kweku Bedu-Addo, banking and finance, and Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyepong for politics.
Writer’s Email: severious.dery@graphic.com.gh