By Isaac FRIMPONG (Ph.D.)
For many years, and even now in various regions of Ghana, individuals often seek assistance from their extended family or local community first. This represents the informal support network. There's no need to submit an application, provide extensive explanations, or fulfill specific requirements. You receive help simply because you are part of the group. Although this form of support continues to exist, there has been a change in recent times.
In Ghana and various parts of Africa, a new type of network has quietly come into being: alumni associations. These groups of former students have expanded beyond just reunions and school activities. Now, they play an active role in school development, community assistance, and individual well-being.
They typically operate faster and more effectively than official organizations. Although alumni associations can be found at every level of education, this article centers on former students from Ghana's secondary schools, particularly those with notable boarding histories.
It Began With Community and Family
Prior to colonization, support was provided by families, clans, and local communities. Whether through susu, nnoboa, or collective farming, individuals combined their resources to assist each other. These structures were based on trust, mutual exchange, and common accountability.
Colonial and missionary schools altered this framework. They created opportunities for reading, employment, and upward social movement. Pupils, particularly those in residential institutions, formed enduring connections through common challenges and achievements. Education transformed into more than just a center for instruction; it became a part of personal identity.
The show of solidarity
This connection is most evident during the National Science and Maths Quiz. It goes beyond just a contest. It's a national event. Former students watch, dressed in their school uniforms, filling social media with posts, and enthusiastically supporting their institutions. A few decades back, only prestigious schools like Presec, Achimota, Prempeh, and Wesley Girls were the focus. Now, individuals from every background feel proud to say, "That's my school."
Alumni Connections: Bonded by Shared Experiences
These groups are neither exclusive nor snobbish. They span various professions, income levels, and geographical areas. From merchants in Madina to engineers in Canada, their common bond is not financial status but a collective memory: waiting in line for water, dormitory checks, white uniforms on Sundays, lights out at 10 p.m., and house-based competitions.
Technology provides them with an advantage. WhatsApp, Telegram, Zoom, and Mobile Money enable fast mobilization and reaction. They have updated the type of assistance that families and community groups have provided for many years, but with increased speed, scope, and often more resources.
Old Students, New Power
These groups now:
- Enhance educational facilities: labs, student housing, and reading rooms
- Help students by offering scholarships, guidance, or necessary materials
- Help classmates with medical expenses, wedding costs, or funeral arrangements
- Those who influence the selection of a leader or the acceptance of individuals
Consider a public senior high school located in the Ashanti Region. A particular year group found out that the school's fire extinguishers had expired. An alumnus, who is a firefighter, now checks and maintains them on an annual basis, without any cost. The group has also started constructing a new classroom building to address the issue of overcrowding. They didn't hold off for government assistance. Instead, they took action through their alumni WhatsApp group.
“Alumni Power: Classmates Forever”
In addition to school projects, these networks provide direct mutual support. When a member loses a parent, becomes sick, or passes away, assistance arrives quickly, without any formalities or delays. In one instance, a group took responsibility for educating the three children of a deceased member. In another, they assisted his wife in launching a small business. These are not instances of charity. This is informal insurance: efficient, heartfelt, and prompt.
In certain instances, the impact of alumni extends to school administration. The notable case involving two Rastafarian students and Achimota School highlighted concerns beyond policy, touching on the role of alumni engagement. It demonstrated how these groups have grown in influence, not only in offering support but also in directing discussions on education.
A Different Type of Family
With an increasing number of individuals living away from their origins and a growing skepticism towards public services, these networks provide both emotional and tangible support. Some question whether alumni organizations are taking the place of traditional groups like hometown or trade associations. They are not; rather, they are evolving.
Many individuals are part of various networks such as alumni associations, hometown organizations, and religious communities. However, school connections are distinct. They transcend ethnic, geographical, and socioeconomic boundaries. These groups have evolved into modern-day communities, formed not through family ties but through common experiences.
My Final Thoughts
Alumni groups are performing the same role that families have traditionally played: being present when it matters. However, they are accomplishing this with greater efficiency, broader impact, and better structure. They are creating a contemporary, independently managed support network rooted in trust and common experiences.
In a nation where governmental services frequently fail to meet expectations, these networks help individuals stay afloat. They are not supported by foreign donors or enforced from abroad. Instead, they are community-based, initiated locally, and firmly embedded in Ghanaian culture.
If Ghana is genuinely committed to establishing an effective welfare system, it doesn't need to search far. These alumni networks are already demonstrating the path forward. After all, we were the first to achieve independence in sub-Saharan Africa. Why not also be the first to create a welfare state grounded in our own circumstances?
Isaac works as a Researcher and Advisor.
ikfrimpong2000@yahoo.com
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).