A Tribute to Emmanuel Nii Lomotey [1957 – 2008]

A visionary behind Rect Academy's success

“If we forgot to show our gratitude
Enough for all the things you did,
We're thanking you now
And hope you know all along
How much you meant to us.
We shall forever remember you, Daddy”
– Rect Academy JHS.

A mark of great men is the power of creating lasting impressions; one notable effect is through their institutions which, year after year, produced people who excelled by making something out of their lives, and adding value to society.

With every graduating class of Rect Academy – as the years continued to roll on – the mark of Mr. Lomotey will shine as a beacon fire. The echoes will continue to call young girls and boys to fulfill dreams for themselves, and make a difference for the nation, and the world at large.

I met him for the first time in the late 1990s. The school was young, and I had been honoured to do a staff-development in Teaching Methodologies for its young teaching staff. The school occupied only a ground floor at that time. He took me around the few rooms, and then up the new stairs to the concrete roof, where he shared the vision of the school he and his wife had planned to build. From that vantage point, Kwashie-Bu sprawled before our eyes.

I must say that when I returned a few years later, an impressive two-storey edifice had been completed, and academically the school had already taken the 1st place in the Ga West District in BECE results.

Those who met Mr. Lomotey in his vigour will attest to the clean cut impression, day in – day out, which he passed on to all classroom teachers to emulate like gallant Christian soldiers.

Mrs. Florence Daaku of G.E.S. (Ministry of Education) affirmed at his funeral; “He was a first class gentleman who knew his calling, sustained his focus and got on well with all manner of people.”

Mr. Lomotey's cool patience and modesty belied a will of steel and industry.
Having evolved his own intellect through University Primary – UST, Dunkwa-on-Offin Secondary, University of Ghana, and GIMPA, he became a committed exemplar of those institutions.

It all began with a dream Mr. Nii Lomotey and his wife, Mrs. Fruitful Theresa Lomotey, had to establish a Christian basic school for academic, technical, moral and spiritual development of children. The humble beginnings started with a school motto: “On Christ We Stand.”

They started out with only 4 pupils in 1991. Presently, the enrollment has risen steadily to about 700 pupils. The teaching staff, likewise, has grown from 4 to 70. The supporting staff has equally grown considerably. The original vision was to be with the ten top grade “A” private basic schools in Ghana by the year 2010. That vision was met before the time the couple set for themselves.

In 2005, Rect registered 35 students. They passed with 100% distinction. Rect topped the Ga West District, winning the 1st place. In 2006, each of the 35 students earned an aggregate 6. Rect won the 1st place. In 2007, Rect Academy was awarded the 1st position in Academic Excellence, of all 26,000 Basic Schools in Ghana.

Having accomplished the initial vision, Mr. Lomotey and his wife set eyes on yet another: to become bi-lingual in English and French. Morning assemblies on Fridays are conducted in French.

For Information Technology, computers were installed on the ground floor for the younger pupils. Upstairs, on the second floor, about 30 more computers with internet access and air conditioning were installed for the older pupils.

Through pupil centred teaching and learning, Rect empowered pupils to be pro-active, and engage in academic challenges that help them to think for themselves for their future growth.

The investments in all these have been tremendous. Mr. Lomotey instinctively ploughed back the fees into the school to create a better learning environment, and consistently improve teaching and learning facilities.

He insisted on raising teaching standards through weekly Teacher
In-Service, so that Rect pupils are ahead and stay ahead in the coming years. Mr. Lomotey believed innately that when students grow with confidence,
their thoughts and abilities grow larger. They become realistic, and proceed to make a difference for themselves and the larger community.

In goodwill activities, Mr. Lomotey made donations to Louise Marie Children's Hospital in Accra; the Children's Centre, Frafraha Orphanage; and Osu Children's Home at Labone, and sponsored Choristers on Father's Day.

All of Ghana is blessed for the progress Mr. Lomotey has made up to date. “Forward ever, Backward never” was ever his motto. But it took diligence, and an unwavering sense of purpose to achieve his goals. All these virtues will continue to inspire both students and teachers who pass through Rect Academy. His moral and spiritual values will continue as lasting landmarks to his good name.

Finally, it took an assertive but unassuming sense of self, and modesty to embrace children, teachers and parents like one family. Mr. Lomotey has blessed the community with his vision, aided by his wife, affectionately called “Mommy” by the School.

To all intents and purposes, Rect Academy stands out as a regal landmark in the Kwashie-Bu area. It was one of Mr. Lomotey's expectations, that the road in front of the school premises be tarred to contain the dust in the dry season, and the mud in the rainy weather. This is one task we crave the District Assembly and the area MP to do in his good name, and to protect the investments in the Computers and Library facilities.

Additionally, it will be most appropriate that the road be named the Emmanuel Nii Lomotey Road, in memory of a great man who committed his life to improve the Kwashie-Bu area, a community he loved so much. I hope that the District Assembly and chiefs will help out in this, in honour of a most favourite son.

Though he has left the school in body, his spirit hovers over the community. We pray for his dear wife, Mrs. Fruitful Lomotey, to continue the bold
journey, and she needs to be assured that Providence will continue to guide the dream to completion. May he rest in peace!

Anis Haffar, the author, is available at [email protected].
Website: www.gate.ghanaschoolsonline.com