Goodwill message from the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ho on the 70th Anniversary Celebration of OLA Senior High School, Ho, February 3, 2024
‘Our Lady of Apostles’ Senior High School, popularly known as OLA Girls in Ho, has grown to achieve its successes since its establishment in 1954 by Bishop Anthony Konings, SMA, the then Bishop of the Keta Diocese of the Catholic Church in Ghana. One would be at a loss recounting the litany of stories which OLA SHS has bestowed on herself.
From the humble beginnings at Keta, which saw a total student population of 35, and today, a mark of 70 years sees the multiplicity of student population in the school to a record of thousands becoming one of the best schools in the Volta Region and, beyond. A great appreciation to both the founding generation and current stakeholders for nurturing the school for the numerous achievements.
The vision cum the contributions of the Church have given great impetus to the human resource development of the church and the country by prioritising girl-child education to the beneficiaries. It is for this and other reasons that the theme chosen for this celebration “Reminiscing 70 Years of Holistic Catholic Education, the Role of Stakeholders in Embracing Technology and Entrepreneurship for the Future” is worth our attention.
The school is strategic in igniting the flame that sets the stethoscope for functional skills needed by women in the global world, which is now digitally borderless with regards to Technology and Entrepreneurship. The school has supported female or girl-child education irrespective of the religious and cultural inclinations of the students. It is believed that every student that passes through the glimpse of OLA as a school would become a gift to herself; a gift to the Church, and a gift to the nations and humanity.
It is lamentable that today, as things stand not only in OLA SHS but in all faith-based or Mission-founded schools, we cannot speak of Holistic Catholic Education as the theme upholds. Mine today is to give a “goodwill message” so I would not dilate too much on the current state of affairs in what was perceived to be a State-Church partnership in education. It must be said here that as things stand currently, there is no clear partnership agreement between the Church and the State that promotes holistic Catholic education. This situation creates serious managerial problems in the Mission Schools.
The right of Educational Units to manage and supervise Educational Institutions established and developed by the Church in partnership with the Government has been eroded to mere lip service. The current scenario can be described as one in which the Church starts schools mainly in poor and urban areas to give holistic Catholic education to people. We request the state to use some of the taxes the parents pay to the State for the tuition of the students who have a right to state funding. Then the State says because it is tax payers money, the State has taken the school and its management away from the Church. In such a situation, it is practically impossible to guarantee holistic Catholic education in our schools.
I believe the time has come for like-minded people who believe in holistic Catholic education that has made OLA SHS what we celebrate today, to raise their voices and make themselves heard. The voice of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference alone is no longer enough.
As we celebrate this day, let us call to mind the words echoed by Prophet Jeremiah “This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfil my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29: 10-11).
It is my fervent hope and prayer that OLA SHS, Ho would grow to a greater height; satisfying the dreams and aspirations of our society to the glory of God our creator. May you all join me in thanking God for a 70th Year journey of OLA SHS, Ho and receive my heartfelt congratulations especially, all who matter in the life of the school. May the favour of God locate us individually and keep us united.
Long live OLA SHS, Ho, Long live the Catholic Diocese of Ho, Long live Catholic education in Ghana.
