Campaign Manifesto For MOBA National Elections As National President/Ebusuapanyin 2023

REX DANQUAH

HIGHLIGHTS OF CAMPAIGN MANIFESTO FOR MOBA EBUSUAPANYIN POSITION

If I am elected the Mfantsipim Old Boys Association (MOBA) Ebusuapanyin (National President), it is my pledge and commitment to work with the MOBA National Executive Committee (NEC) and the MOBA National Council of Year Groups and Chapter Representatives as well as the entire fraternity of Old Boys globally to deliver the following:-

• Defining Brand MOBA;
  • Rebranding / Repositioning MOBA And Dawn of REBIRTH;
  • MOBA NATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS;
  • New Category of Old Students – ELDERS / OMBUDSMEN;
  • MOBA’s 2016 Proposed Reform Strategy;
  • Implications Of The Current Population of Mfantsipim
  • MOBA Professional, Career & Industrial Groupings;
  • Mfantsipim Green University College / MOBA Leadership Institute Task Force;
  • Assembly Hall Expansion Project;
  • Dining Hall Expansion Project;
  • ‘Go Back To Your Dormitory’ Project;
  • Infirmary Project 2014 Final Phase & Medical Advisory Board;
  • Collaboration with Queen’s Royal College (QRC) of Trinidad and Tobago & Similar Such Global Institutions;
  • Strategic Plan For Mfantsipim’s Bicentennial Celebrations (1876 – 2076);
  • Biogas Project Review;
  • Masters Bungalows & Asbestos Roofs;
  • New Visitors Area And Car Park;
  • New Headmaster’s Bungalow / Residency;
  • Mfantsipim Time Capsule;
  • Mfantsipim On Stage Production Task Force;
  • Annual MOBA Trades Fair; and
  • Merchandising for Sesquicentennial Celebrations.

1. DEFINING BRAND MOBA

The history of Mfantsipim School as an educational institution and as a brand by itself is without question; and over the years, graduating old boys have operated within the context of what people’s perception of how a student of the School, after graduation, will or should behave as well as conduct himself in all situations.

As the School and MOBA begin the journey towards the Sesquicentennial Celebrations of Mfantsipim School in 2026, there is the compulsive need to define and/or redefine the MOBA BRAND in order to align it to the future and or destiny of not only the School, the Nation Ghana, the African Continent and the globe, but also to ensure we maintain our relevance and leadership into the future as we continue our journey the next phase towards our BICENTENNIAL Celebrations in 2076.

This is necessary not only within the determinants and fulfillment of the School Motto, ‘DWEN HWE KAN’ but that as Mfantsipim Old Boys Association (MOBA), we owe it to ourselves to continually position and reposition our joint pursuits to maintain not only our relevance but to continue to be the beacon of hope and perseverance for our nation, Ghana and her people.

          Brand Attributes  

The onus now is to define and or redefine brand MOBA in clear terms as the statement of the MOBA PERSONALITY, which shall include such attributes as INTEGRITY, TRUTHFULNESS, INDUSTRY and HERITAGE within the ambit of the brand.

I will therefore propose the setting up of a seven (7) member Committee to work on defining the brand attributes for the MOBA Brand as distinct and different from the MFANTSIPIM Brand, even as they both share a common synergy / partnership / collaboration / reciprocity.

• REBRANDING / REPOSITIONING MOBA AND DAWN OF REBIRTH

Any old boys (men), girls (women) and or mixed of boys plus girls association of any educational institution, especially at the senior high school (SHS) stage is defined by the collective exploits of the students in school and post-school as they exit formerly, the General Certificate of Education (GCE) at both the Ordinary (GCE ‘O’) and Advanced (GCE ‘A’) and the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) levels.

In some selected instances, individual academic, business, sporting and industrial brilliances have tended to add complementary values to the general exploits of the old students year groups to the national association.

The quality of these collective exploits, to a large extent, define the brand attributes associated with each school, college or tertiary institution.

The exploits, therefore, of the members of the Mfantsipim Old Boys Association (MOBA), over the last seven scores, have been exemplary against the exploits of a reasonable number of old boys, who have performed creditably on the global stage, the continent of Africa and in the country Ghana, as well as amongst peers – in all spheres of life, both formal and informal.

Need For Rebrand, Repositioning & A Rebirth

However, as with all brands, there always comes a moment or stage for a review, evaluation, realignment, and or reassessment as part of the process to maintaining its continued relevance, viability and positioning into the future.

It is therefore my considered opinion that the same Committee to be composed under point 1.0 be empowered to consider the dimensions of a rebrand, repositioning or a rebirth to coincide with the School’s Sesquicentennial Celebrations in 2026 as the School renews itself towards its Bicentennial Celebrations in 2076 in line with its motto ‘DWEN HWE KAN’.

It will also be critical that in arriving at the new parameters for the rebrand, the exploits of some selected global, continental or national old students, including the late Kofi Annan (MOBA 1957), one-time Secretary General of the United Nations (1997 – 2006) and co-recipient of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize; late Alex Quaison-Sackey, who was the first black African to serve as the 19^th Session President of the United Nations General Assembly (1964 – 1965); the late Prof. Kofi Abrefa Busia, former Prime Minister of Ghana’s 2^nd Republic (1969-1972); Joseph William Swain de Graft-Johnson, former Vice – President of Ghana’s 3^rd Republic (1979 – 1981); Kow Nkensen Arkaah, former Vice – President of Ghana’s 4^th Republic (1993 – 1997); Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur (MOBA 1969), fifth former Vice President of Ghana’s 4^th Republic (2012 – 2017); Dr. R. P. Baffour, the ‘Father of Engineering’ – he was the first Ghanaian to obtain a University of London degree in BSc. Mechanical Engineering on Ghanaian  soil’ and first Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST) (1961 – 1967); and Nana Kobina Nketsia IV (MOBA 1938), former Chairman of the University Council, University of Ghana.

As part of the process of rebranding, repositioning and rebirth, it will be prudent to research and publish for the records; forebearers, whose exploits have enhanced both the general Mfantsipim as well as MOBA brands.

The Committee shall also work on the outline of the brand attributes of MOBA for the attention of the National Council.

• MOBA NATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS

It will be prudent that the maiden presentation of the MOBA NATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS, under Article 12 of the MOBA Constitution, be launched as part of the 147^th Annual Speech & Prize-Giving Day Celebrations of the School with the appointment of the 7-member Committee by the National Executive Committee (NEC) in November, 2023.

The work of this Committee, shall include extensive consultations for research and interviews of aspirants whilst evolving the ground rules for approval by the NEC.

• NEW CATEGORY OF OLD STUDENTS – ELDERS / OMBUDSMEN

It will also be prudent to consider a new category for old boys who exited School after sixty (60) years, to be grouped as ‘ELDERS’, with the unique role of deliberating on such matters as the Ebusuapanyin shall refer to them. This group shall be led by a Chairman, who is selected by the consensus of its membership.

The elders shall also act as ‘Mentors’ to such year groups, especially those in tertiary institutions, and as shall be directed by the National Executive Committee (NEC), and they shall be consulted on the selection of nominees for the MOBA National Awards as well as act as OMBUDSMEN for and on behalf of the NEC.

• MFANTSIPIM’S 2016 REFORM STRATEGY

The Mfantsipim School Board of Governors in 2016 set up a 6-member Committee of the Board, known as the Strategic Planning Committee, made up of:-

• Mr. Samuel Bannerman-Mensah (late)       –        Chairman
• Capt. (Rtd.) Paul Forjoe, Ebusuapanyin    –        Member
• Mr. Ronald Jojo Duncan, PTA Chairman  –        Member
• Mrs. Betty Djokoto, Board Member          –        Member
• Mr. Magnus RexDanquah, Board Member –        Member
• Mr. Jonathan Blankson                               –        Member / Secretary

The proposed reform strategy sought to identify and develop short-, medium- and long-term policy and development plans to help raise standards of the School and efficiency of its systems.

The Committee believed then that such a policy and development plan for the School would help:-

• Identify and properly plan student intake to match the development of infrastructure and facilities at the School over time;
• Review the governance and administrative structure of the School by introducing reporting and accountability policies, performance benchmarks and sub-committees to handle and oversee key aspects of the School’s management; and
• Strengthen the roles of all relevant stakeholders, including the MOE, Methodist Church, GES, Board, Management, Staff, PTA, Students and MOBA in supporting the School’s development and standards.

The Committee intended to have worked closely with the School’s leadership and relevant stakeholders in delivering the reform and development plan as evolved by the Committee for the School; and believing that for the Plan to have created the much needed impact, it would have needed –

• The support of all relevant stakeholders;
  • Regular audit of performances against key indicators set out in the Strategic Plan to facilitate performance monitoring; and
  • Regular reports and feedback from leadership and all sub-committees on the execution of the Plan.

However, in spite of the excellent intentions of this plan, it was not followed through as other previous such undertakings. It will be prudent for MOBA to revisit the matter with the Board of Directors of the School towards addressing the numerous issues currently bedeviling the administration.

• IMPLICATIONS OF THE CURRENT POPULATION OF MFANTSIPIM

For the record, from six hundred (600) student populations of the sixties and seventies, the School population now is about five thousand (5,146), the equivalent of a modern-day township, made up of the following:-

1. Student population                                          –        3,850

1. Form 3                                –        1,100
   1. Form 2                                –        1,500
   1. Form 1                                –        1,250

• Administration                                                          –           296

1. Teaching                             –           192
   1. Non – Teaching                  –           104

• Associated Families                                         –        1,000

1. Families of four (4) @ 200 –           800
   1. Families of two (2) @ 100  –           200

• School population                                           –        5,146

It is important to appreciate that the current senior high school (SHS) structure by its population of over five thousand (5,000) is a township by any definition, and therefore its physical needs and services requirements ought to be addressed according to Ghana’s Town & Country Planning Regulations.

Any planning scheme ought to inform the future development of Mfantsipim School, including the maintenance of the character of the existing structures such as the Assembly Hall, the Quadrangle, Administration Block, the Dining Hall and other such iconic structures that define the School.

The erstwhile Renaissance Plan of MOBA could be reviewed within the context of addressing several setbacks in the infrastructural deficiencies of the School, as we begin the new journey towards the Bicentennial Celebrations in 2076.

• MOBA PROFESSIONAL, CAREER & INDUSTRIAL GROUPINGS

The changes engineered by the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) with the free Senior High School (SHS) have brought in its wake the need for MOBA to continue the practice of old, when old boys from various tertiary institutions visit the School to talk to students on the various professions, careers and courses available at such universities with all the requirements necessary for admissions.

These talks should be available to all students, from Form 1 to 3 and all subjects, including clinics for specific professions and industrial groupings.

It will be necessary also that accomplished MOBA professionals are invited for ‘Careers Day’ sessions so that the students, would better appreciate the future they will desire for themselves.

The ‘CAREERS DAY’ sessions shall be an annual event for the students of the School as well as for 1^st and 2^nd Year old students of the School at all the tertiary institutions in Ghana, where there are former students of the School.

The intent is to assist in shaping the futures of the students towards their making informed choices that will better mould them, competitively, for the future.

Thus, the essence is to offer mentorship as part of the transition and opportunities for the students from Mfantsipim School as well as those who secure admissions into all tertiary institutions in Ghana.

Mentorship, when managed from the level of MOBA National will serve to shape, inform and secure the future of the MOBA brand attributes.

• MFANTSIPIM GREEN UNIVERSITY / LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE PROJECT

The name ‘MFANTSIPIM” was thought up by John Mensah Sarbah, an old boy of the School and a prominent lawyer of the then Gold Coast, and the name was accepted by the School Board in 1905.

Mfantsipim, was thus the first of what was supposed to be the chain of ‘schools, colleges, universities, academies, institutes and seminaries’ toward empowering the youth and facilitate broader emancipation on the continent of Africa.

This planned holistic development of Ghana and Africa through Mfantsipim, was to position its products as major players in the affairs of the global body politic.

John Mensah Sarbah, who chaired the first Speech Day ceremony of Mfantsipim School on 26^th July, 1908, concluded his speech by stating of Mfantsipim as follows: – “To train honest and reliable men not afraid to work with their heads and hands, ready to obey and to command, that should be the aim of the School’s traditions.”

It is thus a commitment to set up a Committee to produce a position paper on the setting up of an MFANTSIPIM LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE, where old boys desiring a future of leadership in all areas of both private and public services, will be tutored by retired but accomplished old boys, who will prepare them for lives of national, African and global pursuits.

The same Committee will also work on a second position paper for the establishment of the MFANTSIPIM GREEN UNIVERSITY PROJECT; and produce a paper for the consideration of the National Executive Committee, National Council and the National Conference as to the way forward.

This University Project will further strengthen and consolidate both the MFANTSIPIM and MOBA brands, not only in Ghana but globally as envisaged by the Founding Fathers and shaped further by the ‘DWEN HWE KAN’ philosophy and the School Crest.

• ASSEMBLY HALL EXPANSION PROJECT

It is worthwhile stating for the record that with the current Assembly Hall of the School has been overtaken by the current student population of the School: from the then six hundred (600) population of the seventies to over three thousand (3,000) under the free SHS.

It is prudent that various old boys with the requisite skills and expertise be invited to enter a design competition towards expanding / remodeling the existing Assembly Hall, towards increasing the capacity to about four thousand (4,000), without losing its traditional uniqueness.

It is expected that the MOBA NEC could engage the School Board towards organizing the design competition for all old boys with the requisite skills and expertise or a consortium of old boys to pair up and enter such a competition.

1. DINING HALL EXPANSION PROJECT

The existing Dining Hall faces the same inadequacy seating arrangements as the Assembly Hall and therefore there is the compulsive need for its expansion to be considered under the same exigency.

Indeed, it should be the decision of MOBA NATIONAL COUNCIL to freeze new projects to pay attention to the expansion projects for the Assembly and Dining Halls towards the Sesquicentennial Celebrations in 2026.

Again, MOBA NEC will be expected to engage the School Board towards organizing the design competition for all old boys with the requisite skills and expertise or a consortium of old boys to pair up and enter such a competition, mindful of maintaining the character of the existing building designs in the expansion designs.

1. ‘GO BACK TO YOUR DORMITORY’ PROJECT

A perceived ‘House of Mfantsipim” is akin to the Biblical ‘House of Jacob’ as the great Patriarch called his sons to tell them what will happen to them and their descendants in the days to come; so by each dormitory or house name, each ‘Mfantsipim Student’ or ‘Old Boy’ is bestowed with such gifts, talents, destinies and future as deserving according to the exploits of that person.

The fourteen (14) men for whom the dormitories have been named after are: BALMER, ACQUAAH, LOCKHART, SCHWEITZER, FREEMAN, AGGREY, SARBAH, PICOT, BARTELS, SNEATH, PICKARD, PARKER, ABRUQUAH and MONNEY.

The understanding is that each student’s life history, as he passes through Mfantsipim is influenced by the character traits, vision, exploits, lifestyle, his contributions to Mfantsipim School, achievements, and experiences amongst others; and as they relate to the student’s own life as an individual and their life’s lessons; and how these have impacted or shaped student’s lives at the School and thereafter.

Many a time, past students have tended to contribute to the School more than the dormitory that provided a family.

It is prudent therefore that each old boy should go back to his dormitory of residence during his school days under the ‘GO BACK TO YOUR DORMITORY’ Project and contribute to its rehabilitation ahead of the Sesquicentennial Celebrations in 2026, outside the normal support to MOBA National for whatever project has been identified for the year.

Admittedly, those of the sixth form era could belong to two (2) dormitories, if sixth form dormitory was different to the form one to form five dormitory.

To this extent, nothing stops such an old boy to contribute to both dormitories as they might think fit.

The respective Housemasters of the dormitories will be ready to conduct such old boys through the dormitories to identify the areas of concern that need dire attention. Can you imagine that the bathing and toilet facilities that were in use in the sixties and seventies for a total of six hundred (600) students, are the same for over three thousand (3,000) students now?

1. INFIRMARY PROJECT 2014 FINAL PHASE & MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD

The School Infirmary Project was executed by the 2014 Sponsoring Year Groups of 1964, 1974, 1984, 1994 and 2004.

However, the original intent was that against the population of the School then, which was between 2,000 and 3,000, there would be set up a Medical Advisory Board of old boys, practicing doctors at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Medical School and others in the Municipality, who were ready to provide locum services, free-of-charge.

It was also against the planned population increase as stated under item 6.0 – ‘IMPLICATIONS OF THE CURRENT POPULATION OF MFANTSIPIM’ that the need for a Medical Advisory Board was discussed and found prudent. It will be necessary therefore for its re-visitation for old boys, who are medical professional, operating in the Cape Coast Municipality to offer such services at the Infirmary.

We will need to identify and engage such old boys in the medical field, who will be willing and ready to offer free services at the School and sign them up under the Medical Advisory Board.

Indeed, at the time of the expansion, we discussed the possibility of designing a MFANTSIPIM STUDENTS HEALTH INSURANCE Scheme for such services at the expanded infirmary.

1. COLLABORATION WITH QUEEN’S COLLEGE OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

The QUEEN’S ROYAL COLLEGE (QRC) of Trinidad and Tobago’s origin goes back to the Stuart Grammar School, whose Principal was Edward Stuart. In 1859, when a new ‘collegiate school’ was being contemplated, Stuart was invited by the then colonial government to be part of the enterprise, leading to the establishment of the QRC or ‘The College’: as originally fee paying.

The intention was, as a Governor Arthur Hamilton-Gordon told the Legislative Council in 1870, “that its advantages should be open to those of every race and every religion, and that the education given should be of a decidedly superior character.”

The school, referred to in those days as Royal College, had 120 pupils, who did not wear a uniform but had to wear a hat or a cap bearing the college crest. They learned algebra, geometry, arithmetic, Latin, French, English, geography, history and Greek or Spanish.

I had an opportunity of a state visit to Trinidad and Tobago and official visited the QRC and had discussions with the then Principal, who agreed to a bilateral relationship between Mfantsipim School and the QRC, including the reciprocal exchange of students and teachers for a semester, especially as the list of the School’s notable alumni, is like a mirror reflection of Mfantsipim School.

I intend to revisit this initiative and work towards the actualization of the exchange programme for both institutions as part of the REBIRTH process, including the invitation of a delegation from QRC to participate in the Sesquicentennial Celebrations of Mfantsipim.

Such a collaboration will open the students up to international norms and practices that will give such students a heads-up on the global stage.

I also envisage to explore same collaborations in the UK, USA, Japan, China and other such possibilities to grow both the MFANTSIPIM and MOBA brands together in the coming years.

1. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR MFANTSIPIM’S BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS (1876 – 2076)

The beauty of the Mfantsipim creed ‘DWEN HWE KAN’ is that there is no limitation on how far and how deep, a student of the School can go to actualize a dream; and why we could offer the universe the first black, Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) and the first black President of the United Nations Assembly within the last sesquicentennial (1876 – 2026).

However, to replicate such achievements and many others in the next fifty (50) years to our bicentennial celebrations in 2076, would require a concerted, conscious and deliberate efforts to achieve, repeat and enhance such landmarks globally.

It is for this reason that the School Reform Strategic Plan shall include the Mfantsipim Green University College and the MOBA Leadership Institute and other such forward-looking initiatives that will synch all plans within the context of ‘Dwen Hwe Kan’.

1. BIOGAS PROJECT REVIEW

There is a report on ‘MFANTSIPIM SCHOOL SANITATION REHABILITATION AND WASTE MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT’ commissioned in 2014 by a committee of the School Board that established the inadequacy in the number of toilet facilities for students due to pressure and overloading from the disproportionately larger number of students, and especially where a number of the facilities were dysfunctional.

The 2014 Report recommended the need to increase the number of toilet facilities by 110 (one hundred and ten) seats to match the then student population of around three thousand (3,000).

The Report stated that the then method of sewage disposal at the School involving the use of septic tanks was seen to pose serious health threats from the dysfunctional state of the tanks. Some septic tanks were dilapidated, spilling sewage onto the surrounding grounds and serving as sources for the propagation of disease vectors and emission of obnoxious and harmful gases.

In place of septic tank disposal as final treatment scheme for sewage, biogas plants were recommended as more current and environmentally friendly treatment facilities.

The School has already embraced the biogas technology and has three (3) biogas plants on the premises. There is the need for additional 460 (four hundred and sixty) cubic meters of biogas plant capacity to handle and treat the sewage and solid waste from the ever-increasing School’s population.

It is further recommended that an efficient system of estate management to be put in place at the School to ensure the overseeing of the proper operation and good maintenance of the sanitation facilities. This is to ensure that they are always in excellent state of the technical functionality and aesthetic appeal for the enhancement of the primary health of students and staff of the School.

1. MASTERS BUNGALOWS & ASBESTOS ROOFS

Most of the old bungalows occupied by some masters of the School have asbestos roofing and pose serious health / cancerous hazards for these masters and their families. It is most critical that these issues engage the attention of MOBA towards rehabilitation and restoration of existing buildings than always pursuing the development of new buildings.

It will important that MOBA considers the re-roofing of these buildings as well as rehabilitation of same in appreciation of the roles that teachers and masters have played in the lives of students over the last century and more.

1. NEW VISITORS AREA AND CAR PARK

The current increased population of the School has brought to the fore the need to develop a planning scheme to inform the future development of the School.

The planning scheme should also incorporate the design for the new ‘Garden of Eden’, the proposed ‘Mfantsipim Historic Garden & Theme Park’ on the land on the right, from the roundabout to Balmer-Acquaah Dormitory; and incorporating an entry point; a forecourt; a viewing platform; a sitting area; a court of the ‘Great & Famous Men’; a MOBA Hall of Fame; an Exhibition Area and an exit point.

1. NEW HEADMASTER’S BUNGALOW / RESIDENCY

I have seen a number of Headmasters occupy the same official bungalow: from J. W. Abruquah, H. V. Acquaye-Baidoo, B. K. Dontwi, C. K. Ashun, Koame Edjah, J. K. A. Simpson, Manfred Barton-Oduro and to current, Ebenezer Aidoo. The same wooden structure, sincerely not befitting a Head of such a brand as Mfantsipim School.

I propose a new Residence for the Office of the Headmaster towards the Sesquicentennial Celebrations in 2026.

1. MFANTSIPIM DREAM TIME CAPSULE

The underlying principle of the ‘MFANTSIPIM DREAM TIME CAPSULE’ is that when one enters the School for the first time as a ‘green horn’, one will be expected to complete a form, listing down all one’s dreams, ambitions, desired careers / professions / aspirations as well as the nature of future envisaged, including tertiary institutions to attend with courses; as well as where the person will be 20 (twenty), 30 (thirty), 40 (forty) and 50 (fifty) years after graduating from Mfantsipim School.

This shall be placed same as sealed in the Capsule with the other copy. This is intended to motivate the student to be inspired to strive to attain every dream and or ambition.

The test then is to return after the set number of years to check how far the dreams and aspirations have been on mark and achieved or attained as a mark of ‘DWEN HWE KAN’.

It is to be understood that it takes men of vision, great faith, perseverance, inner peace, service and humility to build an association as MOBA, a nation and a people of great minds on a journey of destiny.

Thus, the essence of this initiative is for old boys to fulfill their own destinies by adding to the new frontiers of creation for Ghana, Africa and the globe; knowing we need to find ourselves to  become who we are destined to be for Mfantsipim.

• MFANTSIPIM ON STAGE PRODUCTION TASK FORCE
  
  

In the year 2014, a plan was conceived to put the ‘MFANTSIPIM STORY AND GHANA’S HISTORY’ on stage but this was aborted for the enormity of the project.

However, considering the coming Sesquicentennial Celebrations in 2026, it will be a worthwhile venture to engage old boys in the Arts industry to consider this play as part of the celebrations.

• ANNUAL MOBA TRADES FAIR

The success stories of the MOBA Marketplace, the MOBA Chat & Events Haus, and other such WhatsApp platforms have brought to the fore the compulsive need to institute an ANNUAL MOBA TRADES FAIR that will seek to showcase the talents, businesses, and trades of all sorts at a common platform for a week with an Opening and a Closing Ceremonies.

This should be fitted as an integral part of the annual MOBA calendar, possibly in the months leading to the Annual Speech & Prize-Giving Day or after the Founders Day celebrations.

• MERCHANDISING  FOR SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS

Merchandising should be one key fundraising strategy for MOBA and therefore the plan to inaugurate this as part of Mfantsipim School and MOBA brands will be given the utmost attention in the coming year.

BACK COVER

Magnus Naabe RexDanquah was born on Wednesday, 9^th February, 1955 at Sekondi in the Western Region of Ghana.

RexDanquah attended Mfantsipim School and belongs to MOBA 1972 year group. He was in Pickard-Parker (1967-1974) and later became the Grounds Prefect (1973-1974) at the School. He was the Editor of the Form 3B1 Class newspaper ‘The LIGHTING’ (1970-1971); the Class Football Team Manager (1971-1973); Member of Pen Pal Club (Founder / Secretary), Historical Society, Geographical Society and the UNSA-Mfantsipim; the Form 5B1 and Lower 6A Class Monitor; Member of the School Council & Prefects Council (1973-1974); Member of the Chapel Committee; and contributed articles to the ‘Kwabotwe Outlook’ as well as the School Magazine.

According to an official testimonial on his file, “Magnus was actively creative, contributing effectively to the social life of Mfantsipim, socially concerned for others and played a notable role in safe-guarding the property of the School whilst at School.”

He successfully pursued a BSc. Land Economy & Estate Management degree course at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST) and aborted a MSc. Land Economy degree course for a new life in stadia management and sportbusiness in 1979. He was a Host of the erstwhile ‘SPORTS DIGEST’ TV programme on GBC-TV in the eighties and edited a number of publications, including award winning ‘PUBLIC OPINION’ and ‘SPORTS COIN’ weeklies. On the 3^rd of October, 2015, the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) honoured him with a Citation and a Plaque at the 40^th MTN / SWAG AWARDS NIGHT for his contributions to the development of Sports in Ghana over three decades, including being the Architect and Manager of the globally acclaimed and financially successful 13^th African Cup of Nations Football Championship (CAN 2008) hosted in Ghana as well as winning the bid for Ghana for the hosting and organization of the 13^th African Games 2023 to be hosted in Accra. He also engineered and led the organization and management of the 11^th African AfHF Hockey Championships 2009 hosted at the Theodosia Okoh National Hockey Pitch.

For the past three decades, Mr. RexDanquah, by dint of hardwork has distinguished himself to the good cause of Mfantsipim School. He was a member of the School Board of Governors (2013-2016); Chairman of the School Development Planning Committee (2013-2016); a member of the School Board Finance Sub-Committee (2013-2016); Chairman of the GES Committee setup to investigate the Headmaster of the School (2016); and a member of the School Reform Plan Committee.

He is a national and a continental sportbusiness icon of great repute.

Mr. RexDanquah is a Land Economist; SportBusiness Consultant; Events Architect, Planner, Organizer & Manager; an Author of several published articles and both published and unpublished books; and a father of seven (7) children – four (4) male (3 Mfantsipim Oldboys); and eight (8) grandchildren.