At the Inauguration of the North American Chapter of
OFORI PANIN SECONDARY SCHOOL OLD STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
SATURDAY, MAY 27, 2006
IN SPRINGFIELD, VA
Today’s historic events have been made possible by some very special OPASSIANS. Without their foresight, initiative, dedication and untiring efforts during the past several months, we would not be here tonight. On behalf of all of us, I wish to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the members of the Planning Committee consisting of:
Charles Appiah, Dr. Kwame Asamoa, Doreen (Dumfeh) Ashong-Lamptey, Ben & Doris Awuah, Eric Asiamah,
Martha Nyinaku, Fredua Agyemang (Prof.), Godfried Bugyei, Alex Agyemang, Dr. Kingsley Lartey, Adjoa
Kena, Kwame Anorchie and Emmanuel Osafo.
May I ask you all to rise and give a round of applause to these people for making this event not only to take place but also to be so successful. We thank you!
Mr. Chairman, Mr. President, Nana Akosua Buor (Akyemfohemaa - Okyemankuo of Washington Metro Area), Members of the Planning Committee, my fellow OPASSIANS, friends, ladies and gentlemen, it is a great honor and, in deed, a privilege for me to be asked to be the keynote speaker on this special occasion. We have all traveled from far and near and gathered here today for a common purpose…to participate in this historic inauguration of the North American Chapter of Ofori Panin Secondary School Old Student’s Association, now formerly known as OPASS Alumni Association of North America. It is my pleasure to recognize the presence of ‘mpaninfo’ from across the country who, for the love of our alma mater, have responded to the invitation to be here today for this extraordinary event. If we can sustain the enthusiasm and excitement we’ve shown today, I have no doubt that this organization will have a bright future.
The formation of this association is long overdue but it’s better late than never. We must all be delighted to have now realized our moral sense of duty towards our former school. Hopefully, we are all ready to come together and try and give back to our alma mater - the school that gave us a solid education and prepared us to become who we are today. What we do collectively, going forward, will determine how far we can go to make a difference in the life of current and future OPASSIANS. I am appealing to each member who is here tonight to support whole-heartedly the objectives and aspirations of this association.
I suspect that most of us here tonight belong to one Ghanaian ethnic association or another…be it Asante Kotoko Assoc., Okyeman Assoc., Brong-Ahafo Assoc., Ebusua, Volta Club, Kwahu Community Assoc., etc. Or, perhaps, you belong to an association comprising of the sons & and daughters of your hometown who are currently resident in the US. The primary objective of each of these associations is first and foremost to organize and promote the unity and well-being of its members by providing financial, material and moral support to them when necessary. The second objective has always been to provide financial and material assistance towards the socio-economic development of our townships or traditional areas. Apparently, most of us join such associations mainly for the benefits they provide their members. However, for us, OPASSIANS, our sole motivation for joining this alliance should be our desire to give back, in our own little way, and make OPASS an outstanding institution for teaching and learning.
As we collectively take this humble step, I am optimistic that all of us here tonight, who form the nucleus of this body, will resolve to vigorously advance the aspirations and objectives of this association. Of course, membership in any organization, such as this, has its rewards and responsibilities. Ladies and gentlemen, let me to remind you that this association will place additional burden on each of us. It will demand our time, our financial resources and our total commitment if we are to accomplish our goals. In spite of our limited resources, we’ll be expected to give back to our school in more ways than one. Are we ready and up to the challenge? I hope the answer is a resounding yes!
Earlier today, we elected our Executive Committee and entrusted to them the heavy responsibilities of leading this new organization through its formative years. I am sure that we have elected very capable leaders who will diligently and selflessly serve this association with distinction. I also believe that these are leaders who have the moral courage to make very difficult decisions and tough choices for the good of this body; leaders who are capable of withstanding criticisms and will always treat members with due respect.
To you, our executives, we have given you the mandate to act in the best interest of this association and we expect nothing less than your very best effort. I hope that I speak for all members, that you have our full support and cooperation as you seek to move this association forward. I encourage you to be very receptive of advice from all members. To facilitate your decision-making process, I recommend that you solicit input from members as often as possible. Such a measure would offer you several innovative ideas which are considered to be major driving forces behind most successful organizations. Hopefully, you can count on each member for progressive ideas…be it fund raising opportunities, membership drive, networking for better job opportunities for our members, etc. We are counting on you to set realistic and attainable goals for this association; goals that are supported by effective planning, programs, coordination, and accountability.
Of course, the success of this association depends as much on our leadership as it depends on each member. I cannot emphasize enough, that the challenge to make this organization viable, unique and productive will depend largely on the collective will of all members. Therefore, my vision for this association is for it to be a progressive entity which is transformed by its members, empowered by our common goals, and focused by our mission. We are expected to devote our time, resources, and come up with great ideas that will advance our objectives. Our ultimately goal is to help make OPASS the best second cycle institution in Ghana. To that end, every member should play active roles that would enhance our chances for success.
Our executives deserve our respect, cooperation and support and we are obligated to give them exactly that. Sure, there will be conflicts but we must learn to resolve conflicts with positive thinking and constructive criticisms. And if ever there would be an occasion for any member to disagree with our executives on any issue, I hope you would choose to stay and help make things better rather than quitting. Far too often, members of associations, when confronted with disagreements over policy decisions, personality conflicts, and even trivial issues, choose to leave the association. Such negative reactions are unacceptable. If we should ever argue, let it be over the means to better secure and promote the unity, goals and the general welfare of OPASSIANS.
Whatever challenges we may face as an organization, we should not lose sight of our objectives. We start off today with only…..members but I am confident that this association will grow rapidly to include as many, if not all, OPASSIANS currently living in North America. This calls for an intensive and coordinated membership drive by all members, all year round. And this campaign should begin as soon as we return to our respective cities. In order to achieve maximum success, we should coordinate our activities among the regional groups. All our efforts should aim at transforming this association into one of the most respected, efficient and productive Ghanaian associations in this country.
Regardless of all the usual constraints we face as individuals, it should not be too difficult for us to take time off from our hectic daily routines to meet occasionally and socialize, have fun; to rejoice with members on their happy occasions and to mourn with those who mourn. We must be there for each other at all times. Despite our widespread geographic locations, I strongly encourage all members to find the time for our scheduled meetings. Some of us may already know from experience that it is far too easy to find excuses to justify our inability to attend meetings or pay our dues. We must avoid such counter-productive actions. I believe that, if we commit ourselves to the ideals of this organization and work tirelessly to achieve our goals, it would be a fitting tribute to all of us and a legacy to our dear OPASS.
Luckily, we are not in this all by ourselves. As some of you may know, there is an active chapter in Ghana that I understand is supporting various programs in the school, particularly, the construction of an impressive Assembly Hall that is estimated to cost about three hundred million cedis (c300,000,000) when completed. I urge you all to demonstrate your commitment to the school by supporting this all important capital investment; it is long overdue. How we invest our resources today says a great deal about our ambitions for the school tomorrow.
I am also appealing to you all to contact your classmates and friends in other foreign countries and encourage them to form chapters of this association in their locations. This will enable us to pull together our resources and maximize our support of various projects and programs in the school. I would also urge you to visit the school whenever you go back home and learn at first hand what’s going on and what their basic needs are. Arrange with the administration to speak to and motivate the students, if possible.
Let us remember that in the end, it’s not who we are or what we have been able to accomplish in life that really matters. Posterity always judges people by what they were able to do in their lifetime to make life a little more meaningful for others. Let’s remember where we have come from. For some of us, it’s been beyond our wildest dreams…starting off life in typical Ghanaian villages and towns with very little or nothing…through OPASS and end up here in the US, in whatever job positions we find ourselves. We should count our blessings and learn to share them.
What is in this for you? Well, let me assure you that your membership of this vibrant association guarantees that ‘Mpaninfo’ will be there with you and your family - in both good times and in bad times.
Finally, as this inaugural meeting ends tonight and we all return to our homes, let’s always remember that the yardstick for measuring the success of this association would be what we are able to do to improve life for the students of OPASS; that will be our legacy to the institution. We must not fail in this noble task. We dare not fail!
Long Live Mpaninfo!
Long live the North American Chapter of OPASS Old Students’ Association!
