Five BIGBOSS students receive awards from Historical Society of Ghana

Awuroh Memuna, 1st awardee, receiving her award from Dr. Samuel Ntewusu

Five students of the  Bolgatanga Senior  High School (BIG BOSS), who took part in a nationwide easy competition organised by the Historical Society of Ghana, have received certificates, books and cash prizes.

Last year, the Historical Society of Ghana organised a nationwide tour for second-cycle institutions to some historical sites in Ghana, after which it invited reports on the tour from the participating students.

Out of the over 50 entries received and reviewed by an independent committee set up by the society, four girls and one boy from BIGBOSS swept the 1st to 5th positions.

Awuroh Memuna emerged first; Kunkuri Eric came second, while Achanga Irene emerged third. The rest are Apolala A. Priscilla, 4th and Naab Zita, 5th.

Dr. Samuel Ntewusu, a Lecturer at the University of Ghana who represented the President of the Society, Professor Irene Odotei, congratulated the students for the spectacular performances. According to him, only BIG BOSS met the essay competition criteria, and impressed the committee members.

He also commended the school authorities and the History teacher, Mr. Ouedraogo Braimah Dawood, for making History a truly relevant subject in the school's curricular activities.

He said, unlike the other entrants who only narrated what they saw during the tour, the five BIGBOSS winners submitted narrative and analytical scripts, emphasising: 'The five winners really proved to the Historical Society of Ghana that they are worthy ambassadors of everyday history.'

Dr. Ntewusu, who is also a member of the society, said history should not just be narrating what has happened, but also analyzing events as they unfold.

He explained that the award scheme was to motivate and encourage history students nationwide to appreciate history and stick to it.

The lecturer regretted that there was a public perception that anyone who pursues History as a career would be jobless in the future, killing the interest in history-loving youths and robbing them of opportunities that await any serious-minded history graduate today.

He said the Historical Society of Ghana, which was established in the 1950s to create a research-based awareness about History, and its relevance through publication and teaching, had undergone tests and stages down the decades.

It started off with only bankers, politicians and journalists as members, then, it became limited to historians only, became dormant in 1970 during Ghana's economic downturn, and resurfaced in 2001, this time, with more room for anyone who wants to be a member.

The Headmaster, Mr. Didacus Afegra, congratulated the students and their teacher for making the school proud.

He also praised the Committee for Discipline, set up by the school authorities to instill discipline in the students, for the incredible performances by the students in the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination over the years.