The executive and members of the Gbendembu Old Students Association (GOSA) have commenced planning for the celebration of the Golden Jubilee (50th Anniversary) of their Alma Mater, the Gbendembu Baptist Secondary School.
According to the President Gbassay Kargbo, the Association will embark on a week-long celebration sometimes in November this year. He said the Association will celebrate the School’s Golden Jubilee since her establishment in 1974, in recognition of the great contributions to national development by products of a young institution of that nature.
Mr. Kargbo narrated that the Gbendembu Baptist Secondary School was founded as a self-help project by former Honourable Member of Parliament, Andrew Bella Fofanah in a bid to provide secondary education for children in his home town of Gbendembu and its environs in 1974. It was founded as a community school and named after him; the Bella Self-help Secondary School.
Before this era, children wanting to acquire secondary education would have to be sent to Makeni, Kamakwei, Bo School or Magburaka Boys School. This great move by Hon. Fofanah brought a sigh of relief to both parents and pupils in the region.
“The School was later handed over to the Baptist Convention of Sierra Leone by the community, and was later called the Gbendembu Baptist Secondary School”, the President said.
He said since her establishment, the School has produced notable men and women who form part of the intelligentsia of Sierra Leone, serving in almost all the work force of the country, the reason they plan to celebrate.
During the launch of the Anniversary Planning, Rev James Sawo-Koroma Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee admonished old students to demonstrate commitment to the celebration as a milestone event. He provided an update on the progress made so far, with the establishment of sub-committees including, organizing, outreach, finance and education, among others to form part of the Anniversary Project.
Rev Koroma revealed that old students have been placed in a decade groupings of the 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s, 2010s and 2020s for a healthy competitive celebration.
He said the theme for the celebration is: “Upholding Steadfastness in Education”, in tandem with the School’s Motto: “Howa Gbendegor” meaning ‘Be Steadfast.’
The Chairman disclosed that the planning has started with printing of celebration items such as T-shirts, Caps, Hand Bands, Badges and others, opening the window for contributions by members and well-wishers.
Co-Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Dr. James Harding catalogued activities for the celebration slated for 18th to 24th November this year. The list of activities includes, a Debate Competition, Inter Chiefdom Sport Meet, Jogging/Outing/Inter Sec Disco Rama, Speech Day, Feeding Day, Cultural Parade and Fundraising, Career Coaching, a General Students’ March Past and a Thanksgiving Service.
Dr. Harding further highlighted the roles of the different sub-committees; their composition and efforts so far, and what needs to be done for a successful celebration.
The Gbendembu Baptist Secondary School, the mother of the Gbendembu Old Students Association (GOSA) is founded in Gbendembu Town in Bombali District, North-east of Sierra Leone, some 22 miles from Makeni via Kamakwei.