"to be apprised of his bracing contribution to the restoration of hopewhen that vital human virtue seemed to have eluded man"     Anthony Ohemeng-Boamah

Ohemeng: I grew up in a modest family with very caring and hardworking parents. I am the fourth of nine children. I traveled quiet a bit in Ghana when I was growing up because of my father's job. I was exposed to Ghana more than the average child my age. I must add that I grew up speaking, writing and reading Ewe very fluently.

prempeh.org: What was your academic history before Prempeh? Were you a product of the government schools or the private (international) schools?

Ohemeng: I went to public schools. I started in the Volta Region (Aflao EP Primary School) and finished in Kumasi (St. Cyprian's Boys Middle School). I was happy to be in St. Cyprian's, a good school with good caliber teachers and a history of producing top-notch students.

prempeh.org: What made you choose Prempeh, and was the School what you expected when you first came in?

Ohemeng: I chose Prempeh for its academic prowess and good sports program. I also had friends there; friends from St. Cyprian's and friends I had met on the Ashanti Regional field hockey team in previous competitions.

prempeh.org: In terms of competition among your classmates, what was it like in Prempeh 6th Form?

Ohemeng: My class consisted of very serious and hardworking students. Very committed. We slept very little. I used to joke that we only went to sleep when we were sure that all the 6th Form students in Achimota had already gone to bed. We were also very nice to each other: we exchanged notes, worked through practice questions together. Some of us even worked through practice questions with the Upper 6 students when we were in Lower 6. We competed fiercely but were nice to each other.

prempeh.org: How did you feel about the infamous case of the then Headmaster M.K. Atiemo?

Ohemeng: Atiemo's case was a watershed event in Prempeh. The school needed a different direction. Personally, I felt that it was good that he left.

prempeh.org: What about the fact that Prempeh were losing teachers to Nigeria? The Nigerian economy was "booming" then and several civil servants left Ghana for greener pastures there.

Ohemeng: That is one of the sad episodes of our country's history. We lost a lot of capable teachers. Some of my friends had no teachers and had to study on their own to pass the O and A level examinations. I think it is incumbent upon all Ghanaians, and Amanfoo in particular, to work to support the change process in Ghana. We deserve better. That is a lesson I learnt from those years.

prempeh.org: Prempeh must have been facing severe hardships back then. There had just been a major famine in Ghana at that time. Were there any food shortages on campus?

Ohemeng: Not really. The meal times were not regular but I think we always received our three meals. There was repetitions such as having plantain and "kontomire" for both lunch and diner. But on the whole, the students were fed.

prempeh.org: What about extra-classes and vacation classes at Prempeh?

Ohemeng: I never attended any extra classes at Prempeh. I attended extra classes for a month in French, Geography and General Paper during the long break in Lower 6. I also studued at the Alliance Francaise for a school term. These things were expensive. On the whole, I did a lot of studying studied on my own. I was quiet disciplined when it came to studying.

prempeh.org: How did all these factors affect Prempeh academically, as far as emergency school closings such as forced mid-term vacations and unrewarded teachers were concerned?

Ohemeng: The students' programs were perturbed. Short academic years and lack of teachers affected it. I think some of the low scores in the early 80's could be blamed on the academic disruptions.

prempeh.org: All these problems notwithstanding, Prempeh folks were able to motivate themselves to do very well. Many developed effective learning methods. Others learned on their own while many pursued "extra-classes." They therefore mastered the techniques of fortitude of survival. Can you tell us about that?

Ohemeng: As you rightly put it, it was a matter of survival! We studied continuously through many sleepless nights and helped each other. These were supplemented by the "extra classes" off campus and the peer study groups on campus. I think, what helped us was that we were very determined to succeed. We also had a headmaster - Master Sackey - who encouraged us to excel. In my own case, my french teacher, Ms. Asah, was extremely helpful. Sometimes she even organised classes for us in her home.

prempeh.org: It was a well accepted fact on campus that Prempeh was heading for a downward spiral, until you bravely rescued the school from the verge of ignominy. It had to do with your all-surpassing A-level exam score. Tell us about that.

Ohemeng: Well, I worked hard and was justly rewarded. Let's put it that way.

prempeh.org: What was it like to have beaten every Ghanaian on that dreaded exam?

Ohemeng:I was happy. My family and friends were happy for me. Most of them felt I deserved it because I worked hard.

prempeh.org: What were some of the awards and honours you received?

Ohemeng: I received awards in all the subjects I studued: French, Geography and Economics. I was awarded a scholarship to Oxford University and one to Brandeis University. I also received a couple of partial scholarships to a couple of schools in England.

prempeh.org: Which University did you choose and why?

Ohemeng: I attended Brandeis University. I chose it because (1) I wanted to study in the USA and (2) because I wanted an educational system which wasdifferent from the one I knew in Ghana. Don't forget that I was accepted by the School of Administration in Legon.

prempeh.org: What was your undergraduate studies like? Did you win more awards? Were there any other achievements?

Ohemeng: I studied Economics for my first degree. I was accepted in my second year to do a combined BA and MA degress in Economics and International Finance. I was accepted into Brandeis with a full scholarship. I was a Wien Scholar - named for Mr. Lawrence Wien who endowed the scholarship programme.It was highly competitive and was given to 20-30 students from all over the world. Besides the educational record prior to enrolment that was the main criterion for the scholarship, we had to maintain a certain grade point average for the scholarship to be renewed. Wien Scholars were/are renowned for academic excellence in Brandeis. I also received a scholarship from the graduate school for the last year of my studies to complete the graduate portion of my studies. I graduated cum laude for my first degree.

prempeh.org: The late Asantehene King Opoku Ware II was enamored of your academic achievement (as he also was of the sterling students that came after you) as he received annual reports of the Headmaster's stewardship during the Speech days. Did you ever get a handshake from him personally?

Ohemeng: Yes, the Asantehene, not only shook my hand in Prempeh College (I have a picture of that memorable occasion). He also invited me to Manhyia Palace to see me off when I was leaving for the US. Nana Opoku Ware II thanked me for bringing honor to Prempeh College; he advised me to continue to work hard and actually, within the limits of tradition, gave me a monetary reward.

prempeh.org: No sooner had you achieved that feat than Prempeh came back into academic prominence. We had so many students going on to achieve similar honours at the National level in the SC/GCE exams both at O and A Levels. The brainpower was there all along; we just needed some inspiration, and you seemed to have provided that.

Ohemeng: I stayed in touch with a few of my French students and encouraged them. I guess the students also realised that when you are a student of Prempeh College there was a tradition to protect - a tradition of excellence.

prempeh.org: Were there any students who provided a stimulus to you academically? Were you inspired by any?

Ohemeng: I had an old friend from St. Cyprian's, Francis Brobbey, he was an encouragement. I was also challenged by the "fame" of students such as Kwame Addo-Kufuor. I enjoyed the determination of Bright Gyampoh, Kofi Appiah, Kwadjei, and others. I was inspired by a friend and soul mate, Senior Aidoo, who passed away very sadly when he was studying at UST.

prempeh.org: You later went on to teach at the school as part of the National Service Scheme. How did you feel about giving back to your alma mater?

Ohemeng: It was very interesting and rewarding. I felt proud and redeemed. I was ably supported and guided by Ms. Asah and Master Sackey himself. I consider my teaching assignment in Prempeh College as one of the most memorable milestones in my life.

prempeh.org: Have you kept in touch with Headmaster Sackey since you left?

Ohemeng: I did during the earlier years. But not recently. I miss him though, he is a very good man.

prempeh.org: What can you tell us about your current position?

Ohemeng: I work with the United Nations Development Programme. I am currently based in New York. I am the Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary General who is in charge of our programmes in Africa. My job is thus partly political, partly diplomatic and partly technical work - assisting to find solutions for the myriad problems that confront us in Africa.

prempeh.org: Do you have plans to relocate to Ghana someday?

Ohemeng: Yes but I don't have a time horizon. It can be tomorrow or next year. I like the political change and I would like to play a role to help our country turnaround.

prempeh.org: Does that role include Ghanaian politics? If so, to what extent?

Ohemeng: Anything that will enable me to use my skills and intellect to assist Ghana is fine. It can be politics, private sector or academia.

prempeh.org: In retrospect, is there anything you would have done differently?

Ohemeng: No. We worked hard, we played hard (You know that it was my time that Prempeh College beat OWASS in the hockey finals). We instituted change. Atiemo was forced out during our time. And I think we left some valuable footprints in academics. I am thankful to God for all that and would not tinker with the past, even if I could.

prempeh.org: What do you recollect about that famous victory over the Owareans in that hockey match?

Ohemeng: The image of UST divided into two camps of OWASS and Amanfoo is very vivid. The Amanfoo group was cheering wildly. I also remeber my team mates: Sammy, Bright, Makosa, etc. They were all very lively with joy. It was a very momentous ocassion for us and Prempeh College.

prempeh.org: Thank you, Sir.