Update on the E. K. Datsa Fund

Dear Brothers:

Several weeks ago when we were informed of the passing of Former
Headmaster E. K. Datsa, appeal went out for funds to support the
family and also set up an endowed scholarship for needy students at
our beloved Presec.

Then it was suggested that we honor Mr. E. A. Apeadu for his
contribution to our lives (while he is still alive). I write to inform
you that so far ONLY two brothers have contributed to these two funds.
I understand the Mr. Datsa’s funeral is scheduled for sometime next
month (exact date and place will be communicated to you as it is
confirmed by the family).

One thing I have learned from Americans is the support alumni give to
their schools. In some estimated that some schools derive as much as
30 percent of their operating cost from alumni financial contribution.
While several of us have not giving a cent to Presec since we
graduated, I think helping us honor former headmasters in a
worth-while cause for us to embrace.

Donations may be deposited directly into Ghana Commercial Bank,
Kejetia account number 6041020000207 to the attention of Laud Hammond,
or through MoneyGram, Vigo, Samba and other remittance channels that
could be picked up at Ghana Commercial Bank Limited. (Please email
Laud to alert him of your donation either through the Bank or via
MoneyGram, Vigo, Samba, etc. at laudhamm@yahoo.co.uk).

Depending on how much is collected right before the funeral, 40
percent will be giving to the family and 60 percent used to set up the
E. K. Datsa Memorial Endowment Fund (income from this will be used to
award scholarships to needy students at Presec).

Funds collected in Mr. Apeadu’s name will be presented to him as a
Christmas present in December.

Please let us make ourselves proud by giving generously to the Datsa
funeral and the E. K.Datsa Memorial Endowment and the Apeadu Funds,
and please pass this email along to friends and other Old Presecans
who are not listed here and ask them to do the same. Laud will be
updating us weekly on the totals received.

I'm counting on those near and dear to Presec to help us do something
to solidify the bond we have with our alma mater.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with me.


Thank you for your kind consideration of the urgent appeal and
enduring this long but worthwhile email. With kind personal regards,
I am

Fraternally yours,


--
Frederick K. Asinor, EdD, MS, MPH, CPHL
Baltimore, MD
404-732-2024
SKYPE - drasinor
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted
with the important matters ~ Albert Einstein
++++++++++++++++++++++++

AGM on October 10th

It is announced for your information that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of all old students of PRESEC will come on at the school campus on Saturday 10th October, 2009 at 9 AM

On the following day, Sunday 11th October 2009, the yearly commemorative church service will be held at the school assembly hall from 9am.

ALL OLD PRESECANS ARE INVITED TO THE TWO EVENTS.

Laptop/PC for better debating...

The debator's team of Presec needs a personal computer or laptop, and an internet connection.

This will enable the team to do proper research for Debate competition's.

All interested in helping the team should contact Mr Percy Offei Addo, old boys secretariat: +233 277 533 671

Help Odadee Association get $5000 - complete a survey of Ghanaian top students

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) and the World Bank are conducting a survey on alumni of some of Ghana's top secondary schools. This research study is designed to follow-up on Ghanaians who went to the best schools in Ghana, and find out the education and career paths of these individuals. For individuals who have migrated or studied overseas, it will also gather information on their experience overseas, and their continuing interactions with Ghana. It is part of a broader study of the possible benefits and challenges that migration provides for developing countries. It also seeks input into recommendations for the Government in designing policies to enable Ghana to benefit more from its top students.

The school with the highest completion rate among its alumni will receive a $US5000 prize for its alumni association, and all schools which have at least 150 alumni completing the survey will receive a $US1000 donation to their alumni associations. To participate, email a request for the survey to: ckouassiaman@poverty-action.org

This study and data collection has been approved by Ghana Education Service. With the assistance of the administration at each of the participating schools, 10 alumni respondents have been selected in each final exam class year from 1976-2004. Selected alumni are invited to complete a 30-minute confidential online survey, with questions about education, family background, work, and linkages to people in other countries.

Participating secondary schools include:

• Aburi Girls' Secondary School
• Accra Academy
• Achimota School
• Adisadel College
• Ghana National College
• Ghana Senior Secondary School, Tamale
• Holy Child School
• Mfantsipim School
• Opoku Ware College
• Prempeh College
• PRESEC-Legon
• St. Augustine's College
• Tamale Senior Secondary School
• Wesley Girls' High School

Your participation in the research:

• If you have been identified as a selected graduate of one of the participating schools, please respond by sending your name and e-mail address to Caroline Kouassiaman in order to receive the survey.
• If you have already completed the survey and are in contact with classmates and other individuals who have attended the schools in this project, we still need your help. Email Caroline for a list of individuals for whom we are missing contact information.
• If you attended one of these schools and want to help boost our response rate, we definitely need your assistance. Email Caroline for a list of individuals for whom we are missing contact information.

All questions regarding this project can be directed to:
Caroline Kouassiaman, Project Coordinator
Email: ckouassiaman@poverty-action.org

National Science and Maths Quiz Fund: Transparency & Update

By Sam Addo:

Transparency:

* I have provided a couple of Forms of Payment options for contribution to the fund
* I acknowledge receipt of all remittances via email to contributors
* On a weekly basis, I circulate to the wider email pool, a list of contributors and their contribution amounts. This provides evidence of contribution amount to the contributor and 300+ witnesses

Plans for the funds:

* We are in the process of soliciting input from the teachers regarding their needs for the NMSQ preparation and coaching sessions with the students
* We will circulate the information provided by the teachers to contributors
Contributors will factor-in the teachers requests and make a decision on how best to use the funds
* Some of the ideas that have been generated so far include splitting the funds into two. One part goes to the teachers and the other part would be used for future prizes for student contestants
* We will document the handing over event by posting pictures on PRESEC websites, portals and local media outlets in Ghana (only if the amount is substantial)
* We will circulate to distributors, a thank you group letter from teachers
Funds collected to date after more than one month of email notifications to Odadees is $950.


*** Contribution deadline to the fund is November 30 2009. ***

"Parents dancing infront of Presec gate", celebrating.

Read about the elation of parents because their kids have been admitted to PRESEC-LEGON:

Quoting Dr Harriet Somuah, the Chief Executive of Somuah Information Systems Company (SISCO) Limited, which designed the software for the Computerised Schools Selection and Placement System (CSSPS):

"I hear some parents even went to PRESEC, Legon, to dance in front of the gate, saying that they too were going to have their children in that school," she said.

http://news.myjoyonline.com/education/200910/36023.asp