Tontokrom Bonsaaso Old Students Association Officially Launched to Champion Education and Community Development

The Tontokrom Bonsaaso Old Students Association (TOBOSA) has been officially launched in a colourful and well-attended ceremony at Tontokrom in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region, with a renewed commitment to promote quality education, youth empowerment, and community development.

The event, which brought together traditional leaders, educationists, government officials, and alumni from across the country, marked a significant milestone in rekindling the bond among former students and rallying collective efforts toward the growth and transformation of their alma mater and the wider community.

In her keynote address, the Queen Mother of Manso Dadease, Obaa Hemaa Akosua Asantewaa, under the Manso Nkwanta Traditional Council, urged the youth to prioritize education over illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. She passionately appealed to parents, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders to guide the younger generation toward productive and sustainable ventures rather than the pursuit of quick wealth through environmentally destructive mining activities.

“The time has come for us to value education for a brighter future for our youth rather than resorting to galamsey as a quick means to make money. Education conquers all,” she stated.

The Queen Mother described education as the true gold capable of transforming lives and communities, noting that galamsey only brings short-lived gains but causes long-term devastation to the environment and the nation’s development. She emphasized that the future of Amansie South and Ghana at large depends on an educated, disciplined, and visionary youth.

She further called for unity and collaboration among community members, stressing that government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of development.

“Government alone cannot shoulder the burden of national development. Communities, parents, and opinion leaders must take an active part in promoting quality education and guiding the youth to make the right choices,” she added.

The official launch ceremony also featured inspiring speeches, cultural displays, and the unveiling of the association’s development agenda.

On his part, the President of the Tontokrom Bonsaaso Old Students Association, Mr. Sarkodie Philip, outlined the association’s vision to give back to the school that shaped them and to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of the community. He disclosed that TOBOSA has mapped out several projects, including the provision of ICT tools, laptops for health facilities, and the construction of educational infrastructure to enhance teaching, learning, and healthcare delivery in the district.

Mr. Sarkodie reaffirmed the association’s commitment to complementing the efforts of local authorities and traditional leaders in addressing critical challenges facing the community. He also appealed to major stakeholders, including the Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Yaw Frimpong Addo, the former Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Benjamin Marfo, and the District Chief Executive, to partner with the association in the implementation of its development projects.

“Our vision goes beyond nostalgia; it is about giving back to the school that shaped us and contributing meaningfully to the progress of the Amansie South District,” Mr. Sarkodie emphasized.

He also encouraged other old students’ groups across the Amansie enclave to follow their example by forming strong networks to promote education and local development.

The occasion saw active participation from community elders, teachers, clergy, youth groups, and students, who all pledged their support to the association’s objectives. The atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm and a shared determination to drive meaningful change through collective action.

In a message of solidarity, representatives from sister associations and invited dignitaries commended the leadership of TOBOSA for taking such a proactive step to institutionalize their support for education and development. They noted that the association’s initiative comes at a crucial time when communities must unite to tackle the adverse effects of illegal mining, youth unemployment, and inadequate educational facilities.

The launch ended with the inauguration of the association’s executive team and a symbolic declaration of commitment to make education the cornerstone of Amansie South’s progress.

The event’s resounding message echoed through the gathering: that education—not galamsey—is the true gold that can secure a prosperous and sustainable future for the people of Tontokrom, Bonsaaso, and the entire Amansie South District.