A Wish List From OPASS - OPASS Old Students' Forum

B. Awuah

Date: Apr 20, 2007

A Wish List From OPASS

Mpaninfoo, its been quiet  at this forum these days. First of all, lets congratulate 

Mr. Ohene-Dokyi and his team (D*2) for taking the lead in UK. Lets give them 
our support and encouragement to sustain the enthusiasm. 
Keep it up folks., 



I had the opportunity to talk with the current PTA secretary a couple
of weeks ago - trying to nail down a few areas (projects) for consideration. Looking at 
our current financial status, it appears we may not be able to do much, but with the 
support and a "little" from everyone, we can start from somewhere. Honestly, 
weve been talking for a long time without much action. Well, here is an opportunity 



for us to do something.  











These were a few areas he brought up!!








1. A mini Van (Bus)

2. Visitors' lounge -a permanent shed for visiting parents. The argument is visiting
 hours are every other weekend from 12-3pm but parents who get 
there a little early are made to wait at the gate -- standing.
3. Computers
4. Books for the library... Did not mention any specific ones though
5. Replacing the rails in front of the second floors of the dormitories with 
cement walls -- short walls to replace the rails. The reason being the boys take delight
 in jumping from the second floor all the time..........
6. And the assembly hall of course. 




Lets have your thoughts on this.


Below is a link to a few pictures from OPASS - Courtesy of Mr. Charles Arthur.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bd_awuah/slideshow?.dir=/cbe1scd&.src=ph 
Or go to our homepage and look for OPASS PHOTOS. 


May I take this opportunity to remind you that our 2nd annual reunion is just 
around the corner. Please register and join us... Let's hear from you. Kind regards 
Ben

__________________

Kwame Ohene Dokyi

Date: Apr 20, 2007

RE: A Wish List From OPASS	Permalink

Hello In deciding to embark on a project, we have to make choices. OPASS has many needs as could be seen from Mr Awuah's list above. We can consider numerous options. As a group, we can make a tough, expensive choice like the assembly hall, which I heard, is presently estimated to cost around 20billion cedis to complete, or easier ones available. Financial and other resources for the projects could be mobilized from all OPASSIANS in USA, Ghana, UK, South Africa, Europe, other parts of the world, and one most important source, corporate sponsors if we have the right contacts. I think, OPASS associations should pick their own heartfelt projects and plan, manage, and execute it themselves. For instance, OPASS North America as a group should pick a project of their choice and go ahead with it. If as a fine OPASSIAN you would like to contribute to that project, please do so. Another group of OPASSIANS could also make a choice of a project where they think they possess the required core competence and the resource capability to complete. Finally, as we are all OPASSIANS with a common goal, we would link up and share all kinds of resources at our disposal if any project requires it. That is my suggestion. Please let us all share yours! Alternatively, you can call me so we could discuss this further. Thank you and God Bless you All. Otis __________________

B. Awuah

Date: Apr 21, 2007

RE: A Wish List From OPASS	Permalink

Thanks for your wonderful suggestions Mr. Ohene Dokyi. You are perfectly right -- the wish list is meant to make it known to us, some the things they would like to have -- and of course it all boils down to what we can come up with as a group and choosing an area at a time. I also had the previlege to have a word with the headmaster (courtesy of Mr.Collins Boafo)and his agenda was mostly centered on the assembly hall. His "wish" is to have the 50th anniversary (in 2011) celebrated in it. According to him 3 Billion Cedis has been spent so far on the basement, floor etc -- as seen here http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bd_awuah/slideshow?.dir=/cbe1scd&.src=ph and the estimated amount to complete the structure - which are mainly pillars, long-span roofing sheets, wood etc - is 2 Billion Cedis. This is my take on the assembly hall. The figures ($) we are talking about are quite frightening, but for all we know, someone out there or a group ie US, UK, Ghana or yr groups may be willing to build a pillar, another person or group may donate a set of roofing sheets, iron rods etc.. whichever can be conveniently catered for at a time. My point is we need to start from somewhere -- let's do what we can. Once again, the choice is ours. The wish list has been made known to us and it's time for us to do something. Touching on this year's reunion, as-much-as we'll like everyone out there, it's just not possible, yet as our fore-fathers say "Otwe anko a ne honam ko" (pardon me for this), our account is always available for your contributions, no matter how small. Your donation can be sent to: OPASS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA P O BOX 540598 OPA LOCKA, FL 33054 U.S.A And look out for your name on our donor list. Let's hear your voice. Thanks. Ben __________________

B. Awuah

Date: Apr 23, 2007

RE: A Wish List From OPASS	Permalink

Good news Mpaninfoo!! Upon consultation with the executive body, a decision has been made to "sow" the little money we have in our coffers ($3000.00) to erect the first few pillars of the assembly hall. As already discussed, the total cost of the project is a little "scary" but let's take a bold step and start with the little that we have. If we are able to erect a single pillar every two-three months with a monthly commitment of $10, $20, $50 or more from each of us, we should be able to build the structure within the four-year span for the Golden jubilee. Imagine all of us (if God permits) sitting under such a monumental structure we helped to build and my guess is, the Okyenhene and maybe, maybe the then president will join us in celebrating the jubilee ----Let's plan a grand reunion for that --well that's a dream. Mpaninfoo, we strongly believe that this is one of the opportunities some of us have been waiting for so long to show our appreciation -- yes -- to give something back to OPASS. We are believing that there are transport (tippers/trucks etc) owners amongst us who will be willing to donate a trip of sand/stones etc. If you can, please go ahead and do so....., a bag of cement .....? we'll take it. There are endless opportunities here. There are others who know people who can assist in one way or the other -- let's contact them and do the little that we can to get this project going. We are going to ask Mr. Charles Arthur, Collins Boafo, Mark Amoako, Stephen Djaba, Assou Clement and all the noble men and women at home to take the lead (as usual) from your end (not leaving out the headmaster - of course). Please, get us the men to do the job for us. This may not sound persuasive enough, but this is what some of us have come to realize over the years -- we may be touched, moved or feel compelled to do something but when the necessary action is not taken right there and then, more often than not, the desire or zeal subsides over a period of time -- leading to inactivity -- please don't wait and don't be left out in this historic event -- no amount is small. Our accounts - US, UK and Ghana are ready for your donations. Let's hear from you -- we want everyone's name to be on the donor list. And in the end, I'm going to plead that we do not let our names to be mentioned individually for our various roles in this noble vision, but let's take delight and the satisfaction of knowing that we were part of that enviable team. Thank you very much and may you have a wonderful week. Kind regards. Ben __________________

Frederick Asamoa

Date: Apr 23, 2007

RE: A Wish List From OPASS	Permalink

Really good news - all hands on deck to build OPASS. I like all the ideas shared, I will do my best to send my contribution to the home group during my visit in June. Thanks Fred __________________

Charles Arthur

Date: Apr 24, 2007

Jubilee Assembly Hall	Permalink

Hi colleagues i must sincerely say that great OPASS has surely educated great men and women and as a result our resolve to tackle the assebly hall project will be a great achievement. We know that we are all going through various forms of challenges wherever we are, but as great as we are, we know that challenges are there for us to overcome, so that latter on in life we can boast of what we have been able to achieve. The assembly hall project when it was concieved, we knew the challenges that we had inpossed on ourselves but we were very sure that with the help of all GREAT OPASSIANS and our aquintances we should be able to pull this through. As the saying goes "Little drops of water make a mighty ocean" and the fact that "the journey of a hundred miles starts with a step" I agree that when we all put our shoulders to the wheel, by contributing either a trip of sand, a trip of stones, a ton of iron rods, a quantity of cement or financial contributions, it will be enough for us to move the project from its current stage to the next. I believe that we can even cost pillars for those who want to contribute for the number of pillars that we would have at the hall. I wish you all well, and God Bless You for the good thoughts that u have for GREAT OPASS. Thank you Charles Arthur (SANDY) 1969 - 1976 __________________