Alumni of Ghanaian universities have been entreated to find unique ways to connect to their alma mater as matter of moral duty. The call to duty was made by interim executive committee of KATANGA Alumni – USA, when they announced the launch plans for KATANGA@50 in North America. They observed that alumni throughout the world are a powerful resource for universities and its current and future students. “Many of us are living proof of the power of education and have at some point benefitted from a family member, friend, colleague student, lecturer, or counselor who touched our lives a special way and it is time to reciprocate the goodwill”

Mr. Sam Sackey, the Interim President outlined several fundraising events that are planned to support the University Hall (KATANGA) as part of the 50 year anniversary celebrations of the hall in 2013. Top of the line is a massive pre-launch fundraiser and inaugural event, christened KAT Goes DC, on May 26, 2012 at the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. Mr. Sackey was not at all coy about the fact that nobody knows how to party better than the gentlemen from KATANGA, affectionately called Fellows. Therefore a number of events are planned for the day including a soccer gala, volleyball, kayak, chess, drought, scrabble, ludo, rental pedal boats, jon boats and sailboats, and of course, plenty of local food and drinks. All friends of KATANGA are welcome to this event.
In the midst of the fun, there will of course be serious business discussions and fundraising events for projects including a proposed e-library project, a fitting tribute to the late Prof. Kwesi Andam (former Hall Master and Vice Chancellor and Fellow), a career coaching program for current students, and a professional network of students and alumni, among many others.
KATANGA was built to commemorate the attainment of university status of the then Kumasi College of Technology and officially named University Hall. It was dedicated by Mr. Kwaku Boateng, the then Minister of Education, on January 19, 1963. The legend of KATANGA is rooted in the early and unstable years of post-independence of the Republic of Congo in the early 1960’s, which were exacerbated by the demands of the Katanga Province for cessation from the rest of the republic. Perhaps, the geographical isolation of the hall at the time, and the unyielding zeal and aptitude of the early residents in intelligently determining their own destiny led to the name KATANGA, not as prelude to secession but an indication of its uniqueness. With this desire to be original, unique, and an advocate for the defenseless, Fellows have consistently led any fight to defend students’ rights and will “Rest Not” until excellence is achieved.
To find out more about KATANGA or the upcoming events in North America, please visit http://www.katangaweb.com/ or e-mail ssackey@gmail.com


Below highlights detailed information about the event
Theme: KATANGA (USA) Announces KAT@50 Launch Plans
Aka: “Kat Goes DC”
Date: Memorial Holiday Weekend: May 26, 2012
Time: 10am till Sunset
Venue: 6501 Pohick Bay Drive Lorton, VA 22079
Major events: Speeches by renowned fellows, Team discussion, fundraising and business and professional networking
Fun Activities: Soccer gala, Volleyball, Kayak, Chess etc
Lunch: BBQ and Lunch would be served
Contact email addresses: Ben Fosuh - nyfosu@yahoo.com, Anim Sampong/Nafeel - nafeel12000@yahoo.com, Kwaku Ameyaw - castee@gmail.com, Kerl Tsahey. - senatsahey@yahoo.co.uk

Source: Katanga Alumni Association, Public Relations Department