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MINUTES OF GSTS OLD STUDENTS (ACCRA BRANCH) MEETING HELD ON 6TH FEBRUARY 2002 AT THE RETIRED COMMISSIONED OFFICERS CLUB AT 1830 HRS

ATTENDANCE: See List Below.

INTRODUCTION

1. The meeting began at about 1830 hrs with the President (Wing Cdr WEK Kekrebesi - '71) making a welcome statement to all and especially to Tom Aggrey-Fynn ('81) who had return from Sierra Leone after a year's duty tour with the UN Mission (UNAMSIL) in that country.

ITEM 1. GSTS OLD STUDENTS WEBSITE - FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS

2. The President reported that the webmaster had presented to him a statement of financial requirements for maintaining the site. After a brief discussion, Emmanuel Oyewo ('82) was requested to study the statement and submit a report to the President through Tom Aggrey-Fynn for further discussion at the next meeting.

3. It was noted that the webmaster and his team who created the website on their own initiative and have been maintaining it financially or otherwise all this time cannot continue bearing the cost of running the website alone. It was therefore unanimously agreed that the financial responsibility must be taken off him and his team.

ITEM 2. FINANCIAL BASE OF THE ASSOCIATION

4. There was a consensus that the weak financial base of the association is one of the major contributory factors to its seeming non-viability and that the situation should be improved upon

5. Tom Aggrey-Fynn suggested that a bank account should be opened as soon as possible to facilitate a better control of the association's finances. AA Mensah ('72) said there were two accounts with the Barclays Bank, though he was not very sure of the current balances. He promised to make the necessary contacts and report his findings to the next meeting. The meeting agreed that if no headway was made a new account should be opened.

ITEM 3. OFFER FROM UNITED STATES BASE OLD STUDENTS

6. The President stated that US based old boys had asked that a statement/list of needs to sustain the association be submitted to them for study and further action if workable.

7. One major suggestion was to ask them to assist in paying the hosting bills for the website. Referring to item one, it was decided that the US group should be requested to financially support the website.

8. The President requested members to suggest other requirements for which the association could ask for assistance form US based old students.

ITEM 4. SOCIALISATION

9. The President lamented on the general lack of interest and patronage of old students to social events organized by the association. He particularly mention the last fun games organized in Burma Camp and noted that inspite of encouraging participation during the planning, attendance at the actual event was most discouraging to say the least.

10. The above sentiments notwithstanding, the meeting supported the need to persevere. AA Mensah ('72) suggested that in future activities involving other schools' old students associations should be encouraged.

ITEM 5. SCHOOL AND OLD STUDENTS SOUVENIRS

11. There was a general agreement that the manner of production and distribution of the school's and old boys' souvenir and memorabilia left so much to be desired. It was particular noted tat neither the school nor the association benefited from any such production and sale. Tom Aggrey-Fynn however noted that invariably neither the school nor the association has the financial ability to finance such ventures. Thus the individual who invests in the production of souvenirs and memorabilia cannot be brought under firm control.

12. Annor George Amponsah ('96) showed a framed mirror with the school crest embossed which he had commissioned someone to manufacture at a cost of ¢50,000.00. He suggested that samples be sent to Tema and Takoradi branches for interested old students to indicate so.

ITEM 6 . EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

13. When the President put the question whether a new executive should be elected, the consensus was to schedule it for the next meeting when the attendance is expected to be lager.

ITEM 7. ANY OTHER MATTERS

14. Tom Aggrey-Fynn said he had read from the website the death of Mr Ayi-Sackey, an old student and Senior Housemaster of the school. The details of burial and financial arrangements were not posted on the site.

15. The President reminded members of their dues obligation of ¢5,000.00 per month. He also revealed that the association was in arrears of fees for use of the meeting place. It was agreed that this should be paid as soon as possible to avoid embarrassment.

ITEM 8. CLOSING REMARKS/NEXT MEETING

16. Due to the declaration of Wednesday 6 March as a public holiday, the next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday 13 March.

17. The President declared the meeting closed at about 2000 hrs.

Tom Aggrey-Fynn
Secretary

ATTENDANCE

Lt Cdr Tom Aggrey-Fynn (81)
Kweku Sagoe (96)
Gavun Glover(92)
Annor George Amponsah (96)
Emmanuel Oyewo (82)
HH Van Dyke (83)
AA Mensah (78)
WEK Kekrebesi (71)

Previous Meetings:

- December 5th, 2001.
- November 7th, 2001.
- October 3rd, 2001.
- September 5th, 2001.
- August 1st, 2001. Sorry no minutes available.
- July 4th, 2001.
- June 6th, 2001.

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