-Extoll managerial savvy of Pioneer Principal, Pa Sampson Ako-Arrey
By Ojong Steven Ayukogem in Yaounde
The pioneer batch (1969 class) of students of Government High School, GHS, Mamfe (formerly Mamfe Government Grammar School), have celebrated 50 years (Golden Jubilee) of their batch in Yaounde.
Above all else, Hon. Mbah Ndam and his peers, dedicated the day to the first principal of the school, Pa Sampson Ako-Arrey, whom they extolled for the quintessential paternal guidance that he gave them during their stay at the school.
And though Pa Ako-Arrey could not make it for the celebration, his daughter who represented him on the occasion, conveyed to the celebrants, the message of thanks and appreciation from her father, for the mark of acknowledgment and respect shown to his modest person by his former students.
Dr. Ako-Arrey told the members of Maggsosa class of 69, that, her father has asked her to let them know that he is now enjoying a joyful and peaceful retirement in Bokwaongo, Buea, after he later served in Manyu and Fontem respectively as Divisional Delegate of Education. She also delivered the special package from her father (a bottle of Champagne and a bottle of exquisite wine) as support for the celebration.
Also invited to the event, the current principal of GHS Mamfe, Mrs Ebai Pauline, herself an ex-student of the school (1986 class), was given the opportunity to edify the celebrants on the situation of the school 50 years after. She said albeit with regrets that what used to be one of the best constructed schools in West Cameroon is today a shadow of itself.
Mrs Ebai said most of the structures in the campus including the classrooms and dormitories are now in ruins due to neglect, while the better part of the administrative block has been burnt down by separatist fighters.
She said that most of the teachers and students have fled because of fear, while only a few daring ones, including herself, have stayed back to keep the flag of the school flying.
Mrs. Ebai talked about the threats she has been braving from the separatists, who have allowed her to run the school only on the condition that the Green-Red-Yellow flag shall not be hoisted on the campus and the National Anthem must never be sung.
Also present at the occasion was the National President of MAGGSOSA, Oswald Ayuketa, former GM of the National Civic Service Agency for Participation in Development NCSAPD. Mr Ayuketah used the opportunity to announce plans and other modalities for the imminent celebration of the Golden Jubilee of GHS Mamfe. He said this landmark anniversary cannot be allowed to pass unnoticed, not even because of the ongoing conflict that has made life frightful in Mamfe in particular, and in the NW and SW regions in general.
For his part, the host of the day, Hon. Mbah Ndam, said he could not hesitate to host the celebration when his classmates suggested it to him because he owes all he has and has become today to the grooming and education he acquired at GHS Mamfe.
Mbah Ndam said has always been and would remain available to contribute his own quota towards the development of GHS Mamfe and its alumni association, MAGGSOSA.
Meanwhile, Mrs Mbah Ndam, the wife of Hon. Mbah Ndam, not only made sure there was more than enough to eat and drink but she also took time off to recall the hotline that used to link GHS Mamfe and QRC Okoyong, her alma mater, in those days, and how it was the dream of every Okoyong girl to have a boyfriend in Grammar School Mamfe at the time.
Heavy feasting and charting continued until late in the evening.
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| Hon. Mbah Ndam and MAGGSOSA National President, Oswald Ayuketah |
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