The weather had a different story to tell on this day of Prempeh College's
56th speech day.
Some representatives of sister schools came
As early as 6am, the sun had reared its head and was shining
as if the capital of the Ashanti Region was Tamale or a city on the Sahara
desert. The day promised to be a bad day for those who had planned of putting
on a suit but would not find themselves under the shades provided for the
special guests.
The morning activity was low as the students had prepared
adequately by sweeping and tidying up every nook and cranny of the
college. The houses have been painted to show the true beauty of each of the
houses. The assembly hall had also been decorated with a lot of natural
flowers telling why Prempeh College happens to be the most beautiful school
in Ghana.
At about 8am, the cadets started their procession to the parade
grounds as they waited for the arrival of the President and the
Asantehene, Nana Osei Tutu II, who is not left out and has not turned down any
invitation of Prempeh College.
The cadets entertained the invited guests and
some of the dignitaries who were seated by then at the forecourt of the
college.
The Asantehene's car approaches
As was expected, the Asantehene arrived at the campus premises in one
of his custom-made cars showing a true class of royalty. Soon to be followed
was the President of the 4th Reublic of Ghana.
The cadets then gave a special
guard of honour that would be remembered by any one present for the occasion
as it was one that only the matured and elite army commanders can
display.
After the guard of honour, the President moved straight to the site
where the new assembly hall complex and the 18 unit classroom block is being
built and cut the sod for the project that is being sponsored by the
GETfund.
With this kind of programmes, the assembly is too small so the ceremony was
held at the quadrangle just behind the main classroom block. The programme
started with a song from the college choir who sang the college's anthem, which
inspired the president and everybody to clap and sing along. The cultural
tropue also gave out one song for the Otumfuo and the royal highnesses
present at the occasion. The fontomfrom ensemble was perfect as the cultural
tropue had rehearsed so well during the week.
The graduates
The MC for the occasion, Mr E.K.Yeboah, was excellent in his duties on the
day. The opening prayer was said by the college chaplain and was followed by
the welcoming address which was given by the Assistant headmaster, Academics,
in the person of Mr Koduah. The chairman's acceptance address was said by the
Board Chairman, Rt Rev. Nuh Ben Abubakr, after which the Senior Prefect came to
give his address.
The Senior Prefect, Senior Stephen Ampong stressed the need
for the students and the authorities to be united as well as the old boys as
they are the stakeholders of the college. He also made mention some of the
problems facing the school such as overcrowding and urged the stakeholders
to do something about the state and condition of the school.
President Kufuor was robed and graduated
The headmaster, Mr. Asamoah Owusu-Achiaw also reiterated the help that the
college needs from all and sundry especially from the royal family and the
government of Ghana. He made mention of some of the achievements of the
college in the past years.
He said that this year, Prempeh performed better
than last year as 6 science students had 6A's and 2B's with 8 Business
students making 7A's and a B. Not even a sibgle student failed in all subjects and
that means that of all the over 800 students that sat for the exam, each one
has the chance of entering into the university or any tertiary institution
in the country.
The President also read his speech and said something that made everyone
laugh. The president said he plans building a swimming pool for the college
so that should the students move to Cape Coast or Accra for University studies, they
would not fear
the sea. He also made mention of the fact that Prempeh College has brought
him this far as he had a lot of "suban and nimdee' from the
college. He urged all old boys to put their hands on deck and support
the college through thick and thin. After his speech, the president who had other
functions to attend left the campus with the Otumfuo but the programme
continued with the presentation of awards.
Presidential Chief of Staff, Senior Kwadwo Mpiani (Serwah '61)
was also graduated with a robe and a Prempeh diploma
The awards presented by
prempeh.org made the programme very interesting and a delight as people
were "giraffing'
in order to catch a glimpse of what was being presented.
The newly elected
Old Boys President, Dr. Osei Kufuor said that, "prempeh.org has changed the
face of the awards as they did not present books just like the other awards
but expensive things that would help address the other needs of
students." He the thanked the webmaster for such a kind gesture. The programme
came to an end with the students all anticipating a very big entertainment
dubbed Prempeh.org Nite with the Stars on the evening.
