DUTCH DONATES TOWARDS PREMPEH COLLEGE PROJECT
June 5 1998
By Sebastine R. Freiku, Kumasi
A Dutch National has contributed ˘500,000 towards the construction of a ninth
hall of residence to be called Opoku Ware II house for the Prempeh College in
Kumasi to mark the school's Golden Jubilee celebrations in February, next
year.
Mr. Wim Mast, Executive Director of BANDENGROOTHANDEL Mast B.V. of Holland
made the donation at the launching of the Jubilee anniversary at the weekend
through his business associate in Ghana, Mr. K. A. Sarpong, Chief Executive of
Bontum Investments, dealers in commercial and industrial tyres in Kumasi.
Mast, 51, the sole distributor of VIKRANT tyres from India, was installed
Nkosuohene of Essienimpong, near Ejisu in Ashanti on August 20, 1995, under
the stool name of Nana Yaw Bontu II. He has since pumped over ˘6 million into
development projects in the area.
Sarpong said Mast was committed to development in Ghana in general having
adopted the country as his second home.
Sarpong, who is a member of the 1958-62/64 year group of Prempeh College and
National Treasurer of the school's Old Students Association also contributed
˘1 million.
Nana Osei-Bonsu II, Mamponghene, who deputised for the Asantehene and cut the
sod for the ˘1 billion dormitory project, together with the governor of Bank
of Ghana, Dr. kwabena Duffour; Bariama Asumadu Sakyi, Kumawuhene; Oheneba
Adusei Poku, Akyempeimhene of Kumasi; Nana Ofori Agyemang, Adansihene, all old
students of Prempeh, jointly donated ˘8 million.
A total of ˘50 million including pledges was realised during an appeal for
funds at the launching performed by Dr. Duffour.
The old students are also raising ˘500 million through contributions of
˘200,000 per head for the general rehabilitation of the school.
In his keynote address, Dr. Duffour appealed to the Old Students Association,
Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to pool
their resources to rehabilitate the school whose structures have
deteriorated.
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THE OPOKU WARE HOUSE
May 26 1998
By Obiri-Yeboah Mensah, Serwah '83
This is Joe Passarsa in Berlin. I have been informed by Senior Yaw Manu
Sarpong that the
foundation stone of the proposed Opoku Ware House is going to be at this
weekend.
Amanfoo in met the Architect and they were satisfied with the plan.
Snr. Nana Juaben-Boaten Siriboe (J.B.) told me yesterday that all Amanfoo in
Ghana have been advised to visit Sofoline for this event. He expected somebody
from "Aburokyire" to be with them. I told him there is no such a discussion
here
on the internet. He said, "At least we should have made it possible for the
webmaster to represent us"! I absolutely agree with Snr. J.B.
Amanfoo, can we make it possible for the webmaster to be in Kumasi at this
weekend?
I think it is a little bit too late to react positively now. But we should try
and plan in the future to take part in such events. They are doing a good
job at
home. Amanfoo in Ghana are paying their 200,000 Cedis and more so we should
try
as much as possible to give them a helping hand.
Senior Dominic Owusu Sekyere (DOS) of Blue Chip Computers has annualy
contributed 3,000,000 Cedis to our School for the past three years. This year,
he has paid 4,000,000 Cedis it is going to be 10,000,000 Cedis next year.
Senior Lincoln Donkor of Lizdon Fashions in Accra has also promised to take
over
the printing of "T"-Shirts for the next year Celebrations.
Not only these two Seniors are tremendously helping the School but rather I
could not visit the others whilst in Ghana.
We should thank them by only buying "Made by Amanfoo" whenever we are in
Ghana.
We can buy from Snr. Lincoln Donkor whilst we are outside. You need only to
send
him your size and he will sew it for you. He is now sewing for Diplomats
and the
big people at home.
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A VISIT TO SOFOLINE
April 1998
By Obiri-Yeboah Mensah, Serwah '83
I was in Ghana for six weeks and visited Sofoline on several ocassions to take
pictures and interview the new headmaster and other masters. Unfortunately the
students were on holidays so I couldn´t make pictures of many of them but I got
those who were about to represent the school in the annual science quiz at
Presec Legon.
A lot of information was given to me by Nana Duah-Gyamfi, a French master who is
also an old boy. Before that I saw Snr. Nsiah in Accra for a briefing of what is
happening in the school. Before I start with any story, these are the things
which are badly needed on the campus.
1. Prempeh College needs a new bell. Is it not sad to hear that our school has
no bell? Gone are the days when we used to gallop from Rivoli to Sofoline in
less than no time; just because the school bell was informing us that it is time
for roll-call. Do you remember what the Bantama mothers used to tells us when
they see us running to secure a better future? "Me ba kan wo ho wate, anye saa a
yebeyi wo adi". It was sad and overwhelming to see the broken bell at
"Mr.Quansah´s office". I said "ayekoo" to it because is has done it´s
masterpiece. Now every house has got a primary school handbell. "THIS IS
UNPREMPEH"!!!!!
2. We thank the Japanese lady for her computers. I saw them. They were
absolutely out of date before they were dumped at Prempeh Collge. They are some
of the first generation computers which cassettes instead of discets. Please do
not dream of cd-roms. I think these computers were used by the Japanese soldiers
for their "kamikaze attacks" during world war two. We need to furnish the school
with new and modern computers. By the way we thank the Lady again for her
gesture. I talked with Snr. Dominic Owusu Sekyere (DOS), the owner of Blue Chip
Computers in Accra about this issue and he is prepared to help at any time when
we are ready. Other equipments like fax and copymachines are badly needed.
3. I talked with Mr. Sraha (Cockroach), the famous PE-Master. He is in urgent
need of sports equipments. These are some of the items he made mention of:
soccer boots of all sizes, from size 7 (40) upwards and spikes of the same
sizes. Sets of soccer jerseys, tracksuits, vests and if possible hoses. The
school also needs table tennis sets, footballs, basketballs, hockeysticks and
balls. We can also add anything we think will be needed to make Prempeh always
stay at the top in sports.
The roads at Sofoline are being maitained, even though the tempo is very slow.
Most of the bathrooms have been refurbished. I was told they were done by "Joe
Expensive" with the money received when the houses and classrooms are hired out
to churches and organizations during school holidays. The Ramseyer bathroom was
maintained by the 1979 year group and the Pearson and Aggrey bathrooms were done
by the 1969 year group. Other year groups should learn from them!!
Due to the low water pressure, extra water tanks have been intalled on some of
the houses to supplement the school tower. So far Ramseyer and Butler houses
have each got a big black "polytank" (brand name for these tanks in Ghana). The
pantry has also got two of these water tanks. I was told it was Mr. Twumasi who
initiated this idea. Now gas is used to cook the food instead of firewood from
Atonsu sawnmills.
There is a new classroom block (storey building) between Serwah house and the
Lecture theatre to ease some of the common rooms from serving as classrooms. It
is about to be roofed. All the houses have got mosquito-proof nets. Most of the
masters` houses have been newly painted which makes the compound look
attractive.
The lecture theatre is now a "Science Resource Centre" with well-equiped labs.
Student from other schools come to Sofoline to have their science lessons, both
boys and girls.
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POSSIBLE REASONS FOR TWUMASI'S TRANSFER
April 1998
By Obiri-Yeboah Mensah, Serwah '83
After talking with the present acting headmaster, Mr. F.Y. Asamoah and
Nana Duah-Gyamfi, the french master in charge of Guidance and
Counselling over the mosque issue, I asked for the real reason why the
former acting headmaster, Mr. Twumasi (Joe Expensive) was transfered
from Sofoline.
These two gentlemen were too diplomatic to tell me exactly the cause of
Joe Expensive's transfer from the School. Nana Duah-Gyamfi gave me four
theories, out of which, one or all contributed to his removal:
THEORY #1: Some Old Boys (Amanfoo) insisted that Mr. Twumasi Amponsah
was not an old boy and so he must go!!
THEORY #2: Some influencial people in authority (somewhere) said the
previous Ghanaian headmasters were not Ashantis and this tradition must
continue. Joe Expensive must go, none Ashanti must come!!
THEORY #3: Mr. Twumasi was a Budhist. He wanted to build a mosque for
Prempeh moslem students and wanted to turn Prempeh into a mixed school
whereby Serwah House will be the female house. He must go!!
THEORY #4: There was a matron at the kitchen who was supposed to be an
NDC member (Rawlings' Party) and wanted to be promoted. Normally every
promotion goes with a transfer, I was told. Alpha went to Dompoase
(Doss) to be a headmaster, Mr. Obeng went to Bechem (headmaster) so as
Mr. Atrams and Mr. S.O. Koranteng (SOK). The source said this matron was
about to be transfered with the promotion but she was not all that happy
with her new destination. She then went to the "right people" and
accused Mr. Twumasi that she has been transfered just because she is an
NDC member. Mr. Twumasi must go out of Prempeh College. The matron is
also no more at Sofoline.
By the way, Mr. Twumasi was trensfered to the Regional Director of
Education's Office at Amakom behind KTI.
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THE MOSQUE STORY--JOE PASSARSA'S VERSION
April 1998
By Obiri-Yeboah Mensah, Serwah '83
Here is my version of the story. I interviewd the current acting headmaster Mr.
F. Y. Asamoah, Snr. Nana Duah-Gyamfi and Snr. Kumah (both Old Boys), Mr. Sraha
and other masters on this issue on the 14th. April, 1998.
Once upon a time, there was a master in Prempah College called Alhaji Dwomoh (an
Old Boy) who is now resting in peace. This moslem master taught at Sofoline
during the time of Mr. Sackey. He was a Chrife during his Prempah days, studied
in the States and returned home as a moslem. "Al Salam Alekum!! Alekum Salam"!!
The late Alhaji Dwomoh had the interest of seeing to it that some of his
brothers in Allah attended Prempah College. There were positive catalysts which
were to speed the reaction: Louis Farakhan had visited Ghana, Dr. Dr. Flt. Lt.
(rtd) J. J. Rawlings had turned moslem festive days into national holidays and
more over the Ashanti regional Director of Education, Mr. T. A. Boateng, a one
time assistant headmaster of T. I. Ahmadiya Sec. School (Real Amass) is also a
moslem.
With the help and influence of Mr. T. A. Boateng, the late Alhaji Dwomoh tried
to get well passed moslem youths admitted at Sofoline. Alihu, Issaka, Osmanu,
Iddrissu, Yakubu, Razak, Abdulahi: "mutei Prempeh College"!!!
What happened next? Mr. Sackey was no more the headmaster and Alhaji Dwomoh is
dead. Mr. Twumasi Amponsah (Joe Expensive) is now the acting headmaster
(September `95 - December ´97). Before and after the death of Alhaji Dwomoh, the
"Moslem Premconians" worshiped Allah through the Prophet Mohamed by facing the
East just under the old library. The new acting headmaster showed me the place.
It was precisely at the entrance of the staff common room, where the night
watchmen used to sleep or where the switches of the campus lights are situated.
Nana Duah-Gyamfi told me that the scene was not all that good. The place was
always wet and some of the students left their "praying leather mats" just lying
around.
What could the authorities do? The masters had a staff meeting and decided that
the moslem students find a convenient place to communicate with the Almighty
Allah.
Where was to be found? Amanfoo, do you all know where the school carpenter´s
workshop is? I think every Amanfoo knows where this hidden place is. But the
furniture prefects must know this place better. Let me show you the place. The
road or street from Katanga down to to the school field, around the curve, on
the right side and behind the bungalow where Mr. Ansah Asare was staying in the
´70s. Near the workshop is a bungalow for the pantry boys (men). Do you remember
some of them? Abu, Shiboo, Bukari, Maama and the rest. The senior pantry man
(boy) is now over 70 years old and still living at this place.
There is a concrete structure since Mr. T.A.Osae´s (TAO) era on which the pantry
boys and other moslem workers pray to Allah five times a day. I was at this
place, I was told and shown that the Prempeh moslem students should come here
and pray to Allah and no more at the administration block. I measured this old
concrete structure and it has an area of around 18m˛.
I was told that without the knowledge of the school authorities, these moslem
students wanted to have a "porsch" and bigger praying structure. They sought for
financial support from outside, maybe from some Alhajis in town and built around
the old one a bigger structure of about 25m˛ and about 110cm high. The structure
had four woods (ntaaboo) of about two metres high at each corner. I think they
wanted to dodge the Friday afternoon sun.
The current acting headmaster, Mr. Asamoah told me that Mr.Twumasi Amponsah
confronted the moslem students after a staff meeting and stopped them from
roofing the structure, to which they adhered. I was told the rumour had already
started that the headmaster was building a mosque at the school. I made a
picture of the structure and I hope it will be seen by all very soon.
I went through the enrollment lists of Mr. Twumasi Amponsah to count the number
of moslem students he admitted during his days as the acting headmaster of
Prempeh College. He was responsible for two enrollments. These are the present
SSS 2 and SSS 3. In the SSS 2 I got 6 moslems out of 420 students. Out of the
450 students of the SSS 3, I counted 10 moslems. I did not count them from their
names, other masters were around to assist me. They knew all the moslem
students.
My part of the Prempeh College Mosque story ends!!
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AGNES ACHIAA AKOSUA AS SERWAH HOUSE PREFECT??
April 1998
By Obiri-Yeboah Mensah, Serwah '83
Is it true that Mr. Twumasi Amponsah (Joe Expensive) wanted to turn
Prempeh College into a mixed school with Serwah House serving as the
female house?
The new acting headmaster started laughing but Nana Duah-Gyamfi
(1956-62) was very sad to hear this question. He was sad because he is
also an old boy and there are at least four other old boys who are now
teaching there. "How can they accept such a move?", he screamed.
He said there are about six "Science Resource Centers" in Kumasi of
which Prempeh College is one. These schools, Prempeh, Owass, Amass,
Yagss, St.Louis and so on are now almost science schools with well
equiped laboratories.
These centers do not only serve the host schools but rather serve other
secondary schools in Ashanti Region. The Science Resource Center has a
yellow bus for the only purpose of conveying science students from other
schools to Sofoline. Prempeh College cannot use this bus, for example to
carry yams from the market or to attend funeral at Kete Krachi during
Mr. Atiemo's time.
The students who come to use the labs are from mixed and single sex
schools. There are some masters who are there only for the science
resource center and even do not feel themselves as Prempeh College
masters.
There is now a "continious assessment" in the senior secondary sector
which demands that every student who fails the final examintions should
try it again only at his or her former school. All the schools are
allowed to organize remedial classes to prepare their "Bangla" students
for the second or third time. At Sofoline, the remedial school was at
first only for Prempah former students. But the Ghana Education Service
(GES) advised the various schools to also take students from other
schools.
This idea is somehow reasonable because it relieves parents whose wards
attended schools in other towns. At Prempeh, the remedial school takes
place in the afternoon from 2:30 pm to 5:oopm at Katanga. Mr. Okoh and
Nana Duah-Gyamfih's houses serve as places of convenience to the girls
(Chicks) who take part.
As I saw it, Prempeh collge has not been turned into a mixed school and
as such Serwah House is not a female ward.
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