Bawku(UER), Aug.20, GNA - The Upper East Region branch of Old Vandals Association (OVA) made up of alumni of Commonwealth Hall of the University of Ghana, Legon has been inaugurated at Bawku. More than 20 members of the association in the region took part in a float through the principal streets of Bawku that preceded the inauguration.

They included Mr. Justice Alex Owusu Ofori, Bawku Circuit court judge, who was the Chief Vandal in 1991, Dr. Francis Asaanah, of Bawku Presbyterian Hospital and Director of Quality Medical Centre. The rest were, Lieutenant Sosu, Commanding Officer of the Airborne Force in Tamale and Bawku Municipal Directors of the Electoral Commission, National Service Secretariat, National Youth Council, Police, and CEPS.

Mr. Abdul-Rahman Gumah, Bawku Municipal Chief Executive in an address read on his behalf, expressed concern about the rate of examination malpractices and the use of fake results for admission into tertiary institutions in the country.

He said coupled with indecent dressing among the women on the campuses required the attention of stakeholders in education to come out with pragmatic measures to arrest the situation.

Mr. Gumah noted that such vices were affecting education and image of the institutions, adding "Society will be affected when students expected to take up responsible positions in future engaged in activities, that undermine its survival and development." He commended the association for establishing a branch in the region and was optimistic it would make a positive impact in the region. Mr. Kweku Essel-Koomson, National President of the association in an address read on his behalf, pledged the commitment of the association to mobilise members to offer services to humanity. He said since its establishment, the association had contributed to the country's socio-economic development.

Dr. Francis Asaanah, Upper East Regional President of the association, said it was a non-partisan group that would collaborate with Municipal and district assemblies to enhance and accelerate development in the region. He said the group would in addition, focus on building the leadership skills of the youth to equip them with the needed skills and inculcate in them good environmental cleanliness.