Sogasco '85 Association on Friday 25th August 2006 donated 12 beautiful ceiling fans to Sogakofe Secondary School at a low-key but impressive, graceful and solemn ceremony held at the school's staff common room.
The Association was represented by Ms. Grace Wotuh (Vice Chairperson), Mr. Stephen Adeti (Organiser), Ms. Ivy Tay (Member) and Bright Drah (Chairman). The event was covered by two journalists ('Naa' and 'Minu') from the Ghana News Agency (GNA).
The Headmaster Mr. V.K. Goka was out that morning attending a CHASS meeting, but he was ably represented by his two assistants (Mr Yawli assist for administration and Mr Keteni assist for academic affairs). Also in attendance were Mrs. Nyamadi Mensah (Housemaster, Hse.1), S.K. Klu (Snr. Housemaster), C.Y. Sokpah (Housemaster Hse. 4), P.D.K Avaworyi (a.k.a Efo Koshi, Physics teacher), G.K. Kudanu (Guidance & Counselling), P.K. Amaglo (Physics teacher), E.K. Cole (Biology teacher), Mr Adomah and Sedo-Agbemabiase (the Chairman for the day).
The Chairman of the Parent Teacher association Togbui Duklui Attipoe V was there in his very enthusiastic numbers commanding a lot of respect and showing great zeal and commitment for the development of the school. The students, who referred to themselves as "Semi-staff" were also there.
The Chairman of the '85 Group said the fans were par of the Group's effort to help improve conditions in the School. He was said that a well ventilated dining hall would help students enjoy all the social (cum learning) activities that take place in the hall. He urged the staff and students to take very good care of the fans since "good care" somewhat justifies the requests for more.
The staff were so excited and happy, but also very surprised that the Association was able to honour its promise made from November 2005. They reported that they have heard so many promises which have gone
un-honoured that they had refused to hear them, let alone take them seriously. The donation of the fans was therefore a shock and also marked the opening of a new page in the history of the school. "This group", referring to Sogasco '85 " has proved that it is different". The students were also very grateful for all the things that the Association has been doing for the school. They said they have been encouraged to also do something for the school someday.
Mr. Yawli admitted that certain things (and conditions) in the school were not in the best of shapes and need to be improved. However, for any improvement to happen, there was the need for greater cooperation between staff, students, old students, PTA, and the general community. He was concerned that many people, especially the old students, who could help improve conditions in the school have held back their much needed support because they claim that the school is not in the best of shapes. He was worried about this attitude of focusing on what was wrong and not helping improve what is right. He stated that his admiration for Sogasco '85 was its constant effort to help improve conditons at the school in spite of the challenges that confronted the school. Thus, according to him, "Sogasco '85 is not focusing on the stench from the dead dog, but rather see the white teeth".
The energetic and enthusiastic PTA chairman also expressed his gratitude to the Association. He said the PTA ha followed with great interest, appreciation and encouragement all the good works that Sogasco '85 has been doing. As a way of supporting the Association, he said the PTA would use its resources to get all the fans fixed immediately in the dining hall. He said there was he need for the donation to be broadcast particularly in the Volta Region (on Volta
Star radio) for people to know what is happening and also to encourage others to do something for the school.
The staff and semi-staff also made more requests for jerseys and footballs (for houses), photocopier, computer, printer, and also louvre blades for the science block. The Association did not make any
promises of getting any of these requests met, but it hoped to bring these requests to the notice of the Mother Association, i.e. SOSA. The staff also hoped that Sogasco '85 would inspire other year groups to
'give back' to the school. It was also made known that the school with a population of about 1400 had no library facility.
Even though the fans were meant for the dining hall, it was agreed that two should be fixed in the staff common room to replace the two very old ones that were there (not to be functioning properly).
It was suggested that the school, PTA and old students should work together to bring developments to the school.
The ceremony ended with some snacks offered by the school at 11.15am. The group went to see the Holy Trinity spa along the River Volta but we were not allowed entry because "the place was very busy"; In my
heart, I feel that it was because we didn't look rich enough. In any case we took consolation in the fact that we went to see Cisneros and enjoyed the cool river breeze for about 20minutes and then drove to
Tema. Whilst in Tema we met Evans Amevinyah one of our own. he quickly went shopping snacks for all of us including the journalists. We then proceeded to Accra, where everybody was driven to theiir office or home.
It was a good trip for a great cause!
The media coverage of the event is on the GNA website, it is also going to be in some newspapers (if that has not already been done).
Many thanks to all of you whose financial contributions made this possible. Great thanks to those who made the trip; Thanks to all of you who prayed and wished us well; thanks to all of you who will be doing greater things for the school.
Keep the faith and keep hope alive because you have been and are an inspiraton to a generation that has dire need for hope in a very difficult world.
Stay blessed n b-right
Bright it is