Osu Salem School Old boys pledge to reconstruct alma mater

November 29, 2010 Accra, Nov. 29, GNA - Old students of Presbyterian Boys Boarding School popularly known as Osu Salem, have come together to rebuild their school which is believed to be one of the educational monuments of the Osu Traditional Area and the nation as a whole.

Old students from as far as the early 1900 to the present, converged at the old and dilapidated school premises which were the pride of Osu and the Presbyterian Church, to celebrate the 168th Founder's Day and Homecoming anniversary on the theme, "We will arise, We will build and we will honour her".

Ten years ago, the school was declared dangerous, uninhabitable and earmarked for demolition, but for sentimental reasons and considering that the whole generation of boys from Osu, other parts of Ga Dangbe and across the country, have passed through the hallowed portals of Osu Salem. Old boys have decided that it was time to rebuild their alma mater and restore it to its former glory.

Prominent Old Boys including Prof. F.T Sai, Former Presidential Advisor on HIV and AIDS, Dr. Emmanuel Anfom, Medical Practitioner and elder statesman, Prof. Seth Ayettey, Board Chair of Korle-bu, Bishop Takie Yaboi, General overseer of Victory Bible church, Dr Nyarho-Tamakloe, medical practitioner and erstwhile GFA chairman, Mr. Solomon Offei-Darko and Mr. Addokkwei Addo, both former mayors of Accra.

In a thought provoking speech, Prof. Henry Wellington, an old boy, recalled his days as a student and the Presbyterian discipline instilled in students those days and called on the old boys to contribute to save the historical monument of 1843 from demolition.

He said the reconstruction work valued at over GHc260,000, was being done in phases while preserving the design of the 1843 structure and again charged old boys to give back to their alma mater which was the apex of the educational system in the Gold Coast between 1850 to 1951.

Mr. Nii Armah Ashittey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, and also an old boy, said all who had passed through Salem had a stake in the school and asked fellow OSOBA of the school to help sow a seed that could take care of the needs of the next generation.

He pledged his support and that of his ministry to the reconstruction of the school and also pledged GHc1000 seed money for the project which is expected to be completed for the school's 170th anniversary celebration.

The Reverend Isaac Brown, Headmaster of the school, bemoaned its deplorable state, coupled with other inadequacies such as dilapidated furniture and classrooms which, he said, was affecting academic performance. He also called on old boys to continue to fight until Salem regained its rightful place in the league of schools.

GNA