General News of Monday, 13 October 2003

Source: GNA

OWASS old boys object to new Headmaster

Kumasi, Oct 13, GNA - The Opoku Ware Secondary School (OWASS) Old Boys Association has strongly objected to the appointment of Mr Stephen Anokye, an Assistant Headmaster (Domestic) of Prempeh College by the Ghana Education Service (GES) as the new Headmaster of OWASS. The Old Boys said their objection to the appointment stems from the fact that as an assistant headmaster, Mr Anokye lacked the requisite experience and capability to effectively "head a first class and renowned school like Opoku Ware Secondary School."

The association's objection and stance was contained in a press statement signed by the association's National President, Nana Opoku Mensah and issued in Kumasi on Sunday.

The decision to appoint Mr Anokye as new headmaster of OWASS was taken in September following an interview conducted by the GES for the position.

Mr Anokye, who is also an old student of OWASS, is to replace Mr James Berko who had been headmaster of the school from 1987-2003 and now proceeding on retirement.

The release stressed, "The decision to appoint an assistant headmaster (Domestic) of another school to head an institution as great as OWASS without any proven experience does not augur well and portrays OWASS as though it was a training ground for headmasters."

The Old Boys cautioned that if the GES did not take a second look at the appointment of Mr Anokye, they would withdraw all financial and material support that they offer the school.

"The association will cut all links with the school should the GES go ahead to make Mr Anokye, headmaster of OWASS", the release stated. The Old Boys also said notwithstanding his inexperience, Mr Anokye has always been adamant to virtually all programmes designed by the old boys association to enhance progress of OWASS even though he is himself an old student, and for that matter does not deserve to occupy the position.