The Pearson-Osae lecture was instituted by the Prempeh College family six
years ago as part of the activities marking the Golden Jubilee of the
college. The aim was to honour Rev. S.N. Pearson for his pioneering
role in the establishment of the college.
The dignitaries seated.
Again it was also to honour the first Ghanaian headmaster, Mr. T.A.
Osae for bringing the works of his predecessors to fruition.
Since then, the appreciation lectures are held annually as a prelude to
the college speech and prize giving day. Rev Pearson passed away in
January 2003. Dr Osae is still alive.
As stated earlier on, the Pearson-Osae lecture is marked annually to honour the
first headmaster
and the first Ghanaian headmaster of Prempeh college and the venue rotates
between Kumasi and Accra. This year's lecture took place in Kumasi at the
Miklin hotel on the 4th of November.
Mr. Justice K. Whyte
The objective of the lecture is to inform all old students of the college
their responsibility towards the nation and also to come out with ideas
to propel the nation to development as in the case of 'aman ye foo" the former name
of an old student of Prempeh College which was later changed to Amanfoo.
The topic for this year was The media, political parties and the
national interest. The speakers for the ocassion were Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo (Editor of the Daily
Graphic and Prof. Prof Ansu Kyeremeh (Director, School of Communication
Studies, Univ of Ghana, Legon).
The chairman for the occasion was Dr. Kwasi Essuming Appiah (Consultant
physicisn, paeditrician and Director of the Bomso Clinic).
Dr. Essuming is among the pioneer students of Prempeh.
He commented that he would have preferred to be called a past student and
not an old student but when he looked at himself in the mirror some days
ago, he found out that he was really an old student.
A look at the stage
He however admitted that he initially refused to accept the admission
into Prempeh College since he had not heard about any senior secondary
school in Kumasi at that time but was prepared to take that challenge that made him
who he is now and he is proud to be an Amanfoo.
The national president of the old boys association Prof. Akosa then
immediately chipped in the sayings of Dr. T.A Osae. Dr T.A Osae said in 1949 it was
felt that Prempeh College would be the
Achimota of the north but in 25 years later Achimota was struggling to
become Prempeh of the south.
The first lecturer Mr. Boadu Ayeboafo with the view of being the
only non-Amanfoo at the ocassion started his lecture by these words: 'I may
not have a history in academics but I have a history in sports
why because I attended OKESS.'
Mr. Samuel Adusah Poku
He urged reporters not to be biased and not to be influenced by politicians.
He accepted Chinua Achebe's sayings that journalists are like cocks, they
belong to an individual but their services are for the nation.
Prof Ansu Kyereme, a member of the Media Commission of Ghana explpained
in his lecture that every individual or organisation has a right of access
to certain frequency to operate on a radio or any form of media cast but
in oder to prevent people from abusing this and using it for their personal
gains there are laws and restrictions on these rights.
The lecture was followed by presentations of citations to distinguished
and dedicated personalities of the Prempeh College family whose hardwork
has brought to the college several achievements.
Two past members of the teaching staff and one past non-teaching staff
were honoured at the ocassion.
Mr Samuel Adusah served Prempeh College as a history teacher between 1966
to 1974. He also served as the Serwaah housemaster.
Mr. Paul Edward Adomah also served as an English teacher for 24 yrs
betwweeen 1964 to 1988.
Mr. P.E. Adomah
Mr Justice Kwadwo Whyte also served as a driver mechanic for 26 years between
September 1958 to August 1984. He was responsible for the college's vehicles and
transportation of students and carting of food stuffs to the pantry among
many other duties.
The presentation of the citations were done by Nana Akosa Yiadom, the
regional president of the Old Boys Association.
