Author: Peter Martey Agbeko
First of all, hearty congratulations to Mawuli Senior High School and its alumni (OMSU) on the celebration of their 75th anniversary — a remarkable milestone in the life of one of Ghana’s great educational institutions. Such anniversaries remind us that schools are not just places of learning; they are living communities that shape generations, nurture dreams, and build the foundations of our nation’s progress.
I have always loved to celebrate milestones — they are markers of gratitude, reflection, and renewed purpose. As I watched Mawulians mark their anniversary with pride and nostalgia, I could not help but look forward to the centenary celebration of my own alma mater, St. Augustine’s College, Cape Coast, which will be 100 years old in 2030. I pray to the good Lord to bless me and my colleagues with life and good health to participate actively in what promises to be a truly grand occasion.
This weekend, another milestone beckons. On Saturday, November 1, my cohort, the APSU Class of 1980, will hold a special 50th Anniversary Get-Together in Accra to commemorate half a century since our entry into St. Augustine’s College — the school that made us who we are today. Last month, we had the honour of returning to our beloved Augusco to reconnect with management, staff, teachers, and students. It was a heart-warming homecoming, a reminder that time may pass, but the bond between old boys and their school remains unbroken. As part of our modest contribution, we supported the installation of a modern CCTV system on campus — a useful and timely addition to help enhance safety and discipline in this digital age.
But as much as these occasions inspire joy and nostalgia, they also bring moments of quiet reflection. A story circulating on social media recently caught my attention — that of a 90-year-old former student of Mawuli School who attended the 75th anniversary celebration clad proudly in his school colours, hoping to reconnect with some of his old classmates. Sadly, none turned up. He stood there, a proud but solitary figure — the lone ranger of his generation. That image has lingered in my mind. It is a poignant reminder that life is a journey filled with uncertainties, surprises, and inevitable goodbyes. None of us knows the future or who among us will be around to share the next reunion, the next laughter, or the next milestone.
And so, on Sunday, November 2, 2025, the St. Augustine’s Past Students Union (APSU) will hold its annual Memorial Mass for departed APSUnians at Christ the King Catholic Church, Accra, beginning at 10 a.m. This solemn tradition invites us to remember with love and gratitude those who have journeyed ahead of us into eternity.
Each year group was asked to compile the names of classmates who have passed on. For the Class of 1980, our list revealed that 37 of our colleagues have died over the years — each one a story, a memory, a light extinguished but not forgotten.
As we gather this weekend, we do so with gratitude for life and health, mindful that there is no formula or certainty about our own exit plan. We are here today; tomorrow is a mystery. That is why it is so important to connect while we still can — to share stories, laughter, and fellowship while we still have breath and strength.
So I look forward to seeing as many of my classmates as possible on Saturday, November 1, for our golden get-together, and on Sunday, November 2, for the Memorial Mass. Let us come proudly adorned in our APSU attire to honour our living bond and the memory of those we have lost.For them, we say this prayer:
Eternal Rest Prayer
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
