By Issah Olegor
At its Annual Congress held from May 23 to 26, 2025, in Greenbelt, Maryland, the U.S. branch of the St. Augustine’s Past Students Union (APSU USA) issued a strong call for the restoration of the Catholic Church’s historic managerial role in Ghana’s education system.
The gathering brought together delegates and alumni from across the U.S., united in their commitment to the legacy and future of their alma mater, St. Augustine’s College, Cape Coast.
In a communiqué released at the end of the Congress, APSU USA lent its full support to recommendations made by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference during the Second National Catholic Education Forum held on March 14, 2025, at St. Bakhita Catholic Church in the Diocese of Koforidua.
The alumni group emphasized the urgent need to re-empower the Church in the governance of its educational institutions—citing both historical impact and contemporary relevance.
Central to the communiqué was APSU USA’s endorsement of two key provisions from the Bishops’ Forum. First, the group advocated for the restoration of the roles of General, Regional, and Local Managers in the administration of Catholic schools.
This includes authority over the promotion, appointment, and posting of staff, as well as effective supervision of academic and non-academic personnel.
According to APSU USA, Church-led administration has historically maintained high standards of discipline and academic excellence.
Second, APSU USA backed the call for permanent representation of the Catholic Church on the Ministerial Advisory Board of Education and the Ghana Education Council.
The organization argued that the Church, as Ghana’s second largest provider of education, deserves a continuous voice in national policy discussions on education.
Moral, Spiritual, and Academic Foundations
The communiqué emphasized the indispensable role of missionary involvement in shaping Ghana’s management.
Under Catholic management, schools have been known for their strong moral frameworks, producing disciplined students guided by ethical values.
APSU USA noted the presence of religious personnel as educators and mentors, providing spiritual counsel alongside academic instruction.
These influences, it said, foster leadership, responsibility, and a sense of purpose among students.
Alumni at the Congress highlighted the tangible impact of this model, citing the success of many graduates of Catholic institutions on both the national and global stages.
“The holistic development nurtured in such schools remains unparalleled,” the communiqué stated.
The Role of Alumni in Sustained Development
The communiqué also underscored the strategic role of alumni engagement in maintaining the vitality of Catholic educational institutions.
APSU USA cited its own involvement as a prime example, pointing to over $3 million in contributions made by the global APSU community towards infrastructure development at St. Augustine’s College in the last five years.
This, it said, would not have been possible without strong ties between the Church and its former students.
Call to Action
In closing, APSU USA appealed directly to the Government of Ghana to take “immediate and decisive steps” to restore and reinforce the Church’s leadership in Catholic schools.
“Delaying this effort will only hinder the advancement of holistic education in Ghana,” the statement warned.
Outgoing APSU USA President, Augustine Abotsi (Class of ’93), and incoming President, Thomas Andoh (Class of ’92), both signed the communiqué, affirming the Union’s continued commitment to collaboration, resource mobilisation, and advocacy on behalf of their alma mater and the broader mission of Catholic education.
