Three Flag-Bearers Were Alumni Of The Legon Hall

ALUMNI of Legon Hall of the University of Ghana have challenged the flag-bearers of the New Patriotic Party, the National Democratic Congress and the People's National Convention not to let the hall down in their political campaigns towards the December poll.

They have asked the three – Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, of the NPP, Prof Evans Atta Mills, of the NDC, and Dr Edward Mahama, of the PNC – all of whom are alumni of the Hall, to be mindful of the virtues inculcated in them by the hall.

Speaking to the Times on behalf of the alumni last Friday, the Hall Master, Rev. Dr Abraham Akrong, asked the flag-bearers to let the motto of the hall – “To whom much is given; much is expected” – be their watch word.

“The hall has given you so much and you must give back to this country by ensuring that the high sense of excellence, discipline and quality instilled in you translate into peaceful election,” he said.

The interview followed a ceremony at the courtyard of the hall to honour 200 distinguished alumni and fellows of the hall for their immense contribution to the development of the country and beyond.

The event formed part of activities marking the 60th anniversary celebrations of the University of Ghana.

Those honoured included 162 pioneering students, 20 distinguished alumni and past hall masters.

They were each presented with a medal with the cockerel -  symbol of the hall - embossed in it.

The ceremony also saw the unveiling of a plaque, which had the names of all those honoured inscribed on it.  

The three flag bearers were unable to attend the function.

Rev Akrong said the success of the hall began with the founding fathers who set very high standards for successive generations to follow.

 He promised that the hall would continue to produce leaders in all spheres of national life to contribute towards the progress of the country.

“In line with the hall's motto, we shall continue to turn out products who will offer distinguished service to the country and beyond,” he add.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Clifford N.B. Tagoe, said as the premier hall of the university, Legon Hall had not let the university down as it had continued to pursue and achieve excellence even beyond the borders of the university.

“This hall has produced top-notch and well rounded personalities who are performing excellently in and outside of this country,” he said.

He described as legendary the spirit of camaraderie which exists among the alumni of the hall and urged others to emulate it.

He recalled that even though the alumni of Legon are said to be the gentlemen, it taught other halls how to demonstrate.

“All the demonstrations in the university started with this hall and I remember the first 'aluta' was when the university wanted to build a chapel, and the students said they preferred a dining hall and held a placard with the inscription, “No bread, no halleluyaah,” he recalled.

The chairman for the occasion, Prof. Ebenezer Laing, an alumnus and former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University, thanked the hall for recognising the immense contribution of the alumni.

Some of the alumni listed for the awards were Prof. S.K.B. Asante, former diplomat, Prof. Sakyi Awuku Amoa, Chairman of the Ghana AIDS Commission, J.H. Mensah, Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission, Lawrence Adu-Mante, Managing Director of the Ghana Commercial Bank, John Russel Schram, former Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Alan Kyerematen, a former Minister of State and Rt. Rev. Dr. Yaw Frimpong-Manso, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.