Following the exciting and informative articles by I. K. Gyasi about Vandals, this particular episode features how Old Vandals Association (OVAAR) was formed and the activities thereof.
Below is the full article:
TIDBITS ABOUT VANDAL CITY - ABOUT ASHANTI OVA
The Ashanti Region branch of the Old Vandals Association(OVA) was founded in 1997. Nana Akuoko Sarpong, Omanhene of Agogo Traditional Area who is more popularly known in Vandal circles as K.A. Sarpong(Shawcross), performed the inaugural ceremony in Kumasi.
During the inauguration led the first Regional Executives who were as follows:
1. Vandal I.K. Gyasi - Regional Chairman.
2. Vandal Kumor - Vice Chairman.
3. Vandal Joe Osei Wusu(Joe Wise) - General Secretary.
4. Vandal Steve Oppong - Assistant Regional Secretary.
5. Vandal Adu Poku - Treasurer.
Unfortunately, Vandal Adu Poku, then a retired Veterinary Officer, has passed away. Vandal Kumor, then working at the Ashanti Regional Administration, was transferred to Accra. Information available says he has gone into retirement. Inquiries made have failed to give information about his whereabouts.
Vandal Osei Wusu is the Member of Parliament for Bekwai and also currently the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
Vandal Oppong was recently appointed a High Court Judge and is based in Accra.
I(Vandal Gyasi) am a retired Headmaster of T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School, Kumasi, and currently living in Kumasi. I am 84 years old.
The number of members was large. We met regularly at the Kumasi Catering Rest House. Members came from as far as Obuasi and Bekwai to attend meetings. Vandal Samuel Adu Boafo was among the most diligent members.
I remember that, as part of discharging our social responsibilities, we once visited the Kumasi Children's Home. We cleared grass and made a donation of money and other items for the upkeep and welfare of the children. The Mother of the Home at the time was Madam Victoria Asungnya.
We also once played a football match with the Police at Kumasi Central Police Station.
Ashanti OVA members attended in full force the maiden Homecoming of the Hall organised in 1997 when the late Professor Kwadwo Assenso-Okyere was the Hall Master. Two bus-loads of Vandals, plus a few others in their private vehicles, attended. We were also present for the subsequent Homecomings. On each occasion, we made monetary donations to the Hall to help in the organisation of the Homecoming.
In the December of 1997, we had our Christmas Get-Together. Vandal D.O. Agyekum, then the Ashanti Regional Minister, hosted us at the Regional Administration Residency. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable occasion.
It is a matter of personal satisfaction to me that, for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Hall in 2007, I was made a member of the Publicity Committee. It was in that capacity that I wrote the early history of the Hall and also a piece on Vandalism.
It is reassuring to note that, 23 years after the founding of Ashanti OVA, the infusion of fresh, young blood has kept it going strong and vibrant.
May Ashanti OVA, as well as the other Regional Branches, continue to flourish and support National OVA.
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