|
To Presecans -
Message from Hon. Prof. Mike
Oquaye, MP, Dome/kwabenya and 2nd Deputy Speaker of
Parliament
September
15, 2010
It was a couple of years ago. I had been invited to
participate in an evening event in Presec. To establish
Odadee credentials, of course, I had to refer to the year of
departure from the protection of the all-embracing mighty
baobab tree which constitutes the
pride of ancestry of all Presecans – Father
Odadee.
My year of exit was 1962! I thought hitherto that I was
quite a modern guy. After all, I too have seniors upon
seniors who are agile and kicking with Presecan precision in
all areas of human endeavour – nay, from archaeology to
zoology.
But every wishful thinking of
me too being on the road was violently jolted the moment I
revealed to my juvenile audience that I had my marching
orders from the Klufio/Datsa gate in 1962! Choruses
resonated “Methuselah! “yieeh!” Cat calls galore! I was a
“colo” gentleman indeed.
I thought I was a small boy – a young man. After all, Senior
Prof Alex Amankwah, Senior Prof F.W.K. Akuffo, Senior Pharma
Anim Addo et al whom I met as form five seniors
extraordinaire while a miserable homo in 1958, are all
booming with Prescan vibrancy. And do you know what? I soon
gave my youthful listeners one vital “apor” – the first
school Prefect of Presec – champion school Prefect, Metu of
all Metus – was still alive, whole, hale, hearty and kicking
on top of the Kwahu mountains! Look, Presecans never grow
old. Metu ooooh Metu !
Gentlemen of Presec ; (but please remember we had some
transient ladies at one time; sure they were only passing
through as sixth formers till we stopped them in their
tracts before they diluted the purity of Presec as a den of
in-lumine-tuans of machoistic resolve). After all that is
why our Presbyterian forefathers in their almost infinite
wisdom built Aburi Girls. And that should remind me. I had
one senior of blessed memory. Let his holy name remain
silent. In five years, he polished his shoes only twice –
once when good old Bampoe chased him round the “four-square”
arena of Presec and secondly, when he reluctantly visited
Aburi Girls for a debate between the boys of Moderator Rt
Rev Odjidja and the girls of Synod Clerk Rev Kwansa. Those
who do not know who they are should disqualify themselves
from any Presec who-is-who contest. The ancient men, of
course, know. After all, antiquity has its benefits.
One of the most painful experiences in life is to be without
classmates. This was an insult constantly hurled against one
of the military rulers of Ghana. Of course, that was not
General Akuffo. That fine gentleman was a true Presec boy
and his classmates are genuine guys. It can be proved with
the scientific precision which our science laboratories have
been known for. And we have proof thereof – everyone who
studied in KNUST, Kumasi will tell you. Is it not curious
that when Prof Bamfo Kwakye was
Vice Chancellor, the Dean of Sciences, Head of Engineering,
Pharma etc etc were all the sons of Odadee? And please don't
ask me how scientific the labs used by Prof Wosornu (he
taught me, you know?) were. The important thing is that his
class and succeeding classes could top the whole WAEC exams
throughout West Africa. For that matter the position of
Director General of the Ghana Education Service was
officially declared a Presec post. Do you know that? If not
so what were these gentlemen - the late Owiredu, Prof
Djangmah, Hon Tettey-Enyo - doing chopping that post just
like that? If there is an old boy who likes that post, I
tell you: just go for it, now, now. In the Presec
terminology of my days, I say: "arise, Peter, kill and eat".
What a school! And as for medicine, just look at my class of
1962. A little over one fifth of the class ended up as
medical doctors. Where on earth do you have the most
uncommon of all professions as the commonest in a year
group? Oh, Presec, wonders will never end!
Lest I forget, I dedicate my humble ad hoc piece (written in
Presec style, all in fifteen minutes as a bearer was
waiting), to my bosom Dr. Yeboa Amoa. Everyone who knows
what should be known, knows why! For jealousy and envy
reasons and for the sake of global peace, I mention Dr.
Graham, Dr Ayertey, Dr Botwe, Mantey Mensah, Prof
Wellington, Nii Amartey, Pasoo, Prof Okorley E. T, Kumfo
Thadeus, Adu Alex et al.
After all, I have to put myself in Presecan contest. Oh,
what can we do without classmates? I am a true Presecan.
My task is done. If there is any credit, please extend it to
a dedicated teacher called Vincent Okunor. If he teaches you
English and you don't do well, may the angels in heaven help
you. If you find any faults, "na who cause am? Tis that
Presec small boy called Okantey who pushed me too hard and
sent a lady to sit on my neck in my own office." -
Nay, in
the House of Parliament. You know the instructions he sent?
"I want my article". My article indeed ! These Presec boys,
they are all soldiers. No wonder the military benefited from
the late Col. Annor Odjidja, Brigadier
Ofosu-Appiah and a galaxy of
other Presecan brilliant
military officers.
Mike Oquaye
Parliament House
Accra
16 September 2010 |
