The 2002 batch of students who completed St. Charles Minor Seminary Senior High School in Tamale have renovated a library and computer laboratory block at their Alma Mater. The gesture has become a tradition in the school which began in 2006 with the 1996 batch of the St. Charles Old Boys Association (SCOBA).
Successive year groups since 2006 have identified and undertaken a project in the school which is then handed over to the school authorities to coincide with its Patronal (St. Charles Borromeo) Feast Day which is celebrated on November 4 by the Universal Church.
Mr. Paul Kelly, a former Headmaster of the school assisted by Very Rev. Fr. Hilary Pogbeyir, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Tamale, unveiled a plaque to formerly commission the renovated a library and computer laboratory block.
The 1996 batch of SCOBA constructed the entrance tower to the school while the 1997 batch donated a public address system to the school. The 1998 batch started the school’s biogas project and the 1999 batch renovated the science laboratory, provided a distiller, fire and smoke detectors with the 2000 batch renovating a 3-classrooms and an office. SCOBA 2001 also renovated a 3-unit classroom block for the school last year (2021).
Speaking at a brief ceremony to hand over the completed project, Dr. Jonas Bugase, President of SCOBA 2002 who is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Applied Physics at C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences at Navrongo, stated that the project is their widow’s mite to help address the infrastructure challenges of their Alma Mater.
He said the scope of work covered painting of the block, changing of defective doors, refurbishment of the reading room, and provision of a decent chair for the librarian, among others. He lamented that their initial plans had to be scaled down in view of the prevailing economic challenges in the country. He expressed gratitude to management for their cooperation and extended similar sentiments to his colleagues for their generosity.
Dr. Bugase also used the opportunity to appeal to the Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale, Most Rev. Philip Naameh, the Headmaster, Rector and staff to work together to restore the school to its former glory. In this regard and on behalf of members of SCOBA in general, he suggested an engagement with all relevant stakeholders, namely government, parents and staff, among others, “to bring back the spirit of St. Charles Borromeo” to ensure sanity and discipline in the school.
The Headmaster, Mr. Gbolo Toma, on behalf of management, expressed their appreciation and gratitude to SCOBA 2002. He said the school would continue to count on the generosity of its alumni to help address its challenges, praying that St. Charles Borromeo will intercede for all members of SCOBA to do well in life to be able to support their Alma Mater.
Dr. Bugase later handed over the keys to the project to the Vicar General who received it on behalf of Archbishop Naameh who in turn handed it over to Mr. Gbolo. Earlier, Vicar General had blessed the completed project.
Among the other dignitaries who witnessed the ceremony were Mr. Bright A. Lawoe, the Tamale Metropolitan Director of Education, Very Rev. Fr. Gerald Zienaa, the Rector of the school and some Priests including Rev. Fr. David Kokaa, a Lecturer and Formator at St. Augustine Millennium Major Seminary who is also a former student and Mr. Samuel Awugah, Chairman of the Tamale Archdiocesan Laity Council. Also present were some teachers, some members of SCOBA 2002 and students.
The handing over ceremony was preceded by a Mass to celebrate the Patronal Feast of the school. It was presided over by the Vicar General.
St. Charles Minor Seminary Senior High School was established in 1953 by the Missionaries of Africa Congregation (White Fathers). The school currently has an enrolment of 439 students with 56 teaching staff.
