Source: Sankofaonline & Mr. Cornelius Ackumey
The heart of Ghana’s Volta Region recently witnessed a testament to unwavering devotion, as the Old Govconians Association of North America, OGANA, breathed new life into the campus of Peki College of Education. In a moving ceremony last Friday, marking the college’s 17th congregation, a state of the art ICT center was officially inaugurated, a gift of 55 computers and a refurbished facility born from sacrifice, not from ease.
This extraordinary project, a beacon of hope for digital literacy and academic advancement, came to fruition through the collective will of just 24 OGANA members. Guided by the visionary leadership of President Cornelius Ackumey, these individuals stepped forward with personal commitments when external support fell short, their unwavering determination reflecting a deep and abiding love for their alma mater.
Mr. William Kpende, first President of the Old Govconians Association , OGA, spoke on behalf of the President . He shared a poignant truth, that this donation was more than just hardware, it was a symbol of sacrifice and unwavering resolve. This magnificent contribution is only the latest chapter in a long history of generosity from the diaspora. The alumni’s interventions have already left an indelible mark, including the provision of sports equipment, a dough kneading machine for the campus bakery, and a 24 hour CCTV monitoring system that enhances safety for all.
Dr. Ebenezer Appiah Bonney, the college’s Principal, spoke with profound gratitude, his words painting a picture of a campus transformed by the kindness of its old students. He noted that OGANA have consistently demonstrated their unwavering support, significantly enhancing teaching, learning, and security. Dr. Bonney detailed the impact of their gifts, including the installation of 32 CCTV cameras and two monitors that have strengthened campus security, the 55 desktop computers that will champion digital literacy, 10 ceiling fans that improve lecture hall ventilation, and an industrial machine that is vital for student training. These, he said, are but a few of the numerous interventions that have left an indelible mark on the physical, academic, and technological landscape of the college.
Togbega Deiga Kwadzo Dei XII, the Paramount Chief of the Peki Traditional Area, offered a wise and heartfelt charge to the college community, urging them to take proper care of the new facility and cultivate a culture of maintenance to ensure its sustainability for future generations. Following his address, the chief and the principal ceremoniously cut the ribbon, declaring the facility officially open, before embarking on a tour of the new center.
In a message read on his behalf, Mr. Cornelius Ackumey reminded the gathering that their commitment was born not out of convenience, but out of profound love. He shared that the 24 members who contributed to this project paid their dues a year in advance, a selfless act that made their goal achievable. He wished that the recognition for their past projects, like the provision of trophies and jerseys for sports, would also be celebrated. The president’s message resonated deeply, evoking a modified version of President Kennedy’s famous quote, “We choose to do things not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” He acknowledged the principal’s vision and thanked him for his partnership, while also dispelling the myth that living in America makes such donations simple. It is the deep love for the college, he emphasized, that has pushed them to make these sacrifices. He concluded with a promise, a beacon for the future, that they are ready and willing to continue their assistance to the college.
This magnificent act of giving is a powerful declaration that the spirit of alumni support is a living, breathing force, ready to write the next chapter in the history of Peki College of Education.
