Joyce Bawah Mogtari arrived at St Francis of Assisi Girls’ Senior High School in Jirapa to resit her O-Level examinations after an unsuccessful attempt. The school gave her a second chance. Today, she returned as a senior lawyer, Senior Presidential Advisor and Special Aide to President John Dramani Mahama.
Her return as Special Guest of Honour for the school’s 67th anniversary and FOGA Homecoming was also the homecoming of a daughter who found her path in Jirapa.
Delivering the keynote address on Saturday, October 17, on the theme, “67 Years of Nurturing Leaders and Inspiring Excellence: Time to Retrace Our Steps”, she shared an emotional account of how she came to Assisi.
“There is something profoundly satisfying about returning to a place that once offered you your dreams,” she began.
“I came here to resit my O-Levels because it was an exam that literally eluded me.”
Her uncle, who had been transferred to Wa as the Inspector-General of Police’s representative, recommended Assisi as “quiet and just the kind of place that I needed”.
“The rest, as they say, is history,” she said.
The records, she said, would show that she obtained a distinction and won WAEC awards for Best Student in English Language and Home Economics.
“Let me tell you something else, the Home Economics and typing – not French and Maths – gave me the best possible results,” she said to cheers.
She paid tribute to the then headmistress, Mrs Gyader, and Madam Dakurah, a former student of her mother.
“The sense of Catholicism I developed came from here – my independence and spirit of competition was likewise borne from here. Some of the best friends that I have I met them here too. And finally the man I eventually married also hails from this region. They say that the best comes from the West.”
Reflecting on her journey, she asked: “Who would have imagined, all those years ago, that one day I would return to this school as a very Senior Lawyer, Maritime Lawyer, founder of a Law Firm, an entrepreneur and Senior Presidential Advisor and Special Aide to the President?”
Mahama’s message
Mrs Mogtari also conveyed President Mahama’s greetings to the school community.
“I bring you greetings and warm wishes from the President. His Excellency remains deeply committed to expanding educational opportunities for all Ghanaians, particularly girls and young women,” she said.
“The President recognises that when we invest in the education of girls, we invest not only in their individual futures, but also in the prosperity and progress of our nation.”
‘Marry your books’
To the current students, she offered a clear piece of advice: “Marry your books!”
“For now, let your textbooks be your closest companions. Let your assignments command your attention,” she said.
“Do not spend so much time on social media that you neglect your studies. Failure in one examination is not failure in life.”
Citing Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang’s achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice-President, she said the next barrier to overcome was electing a female President.
“Perhaps she is sitting in a classroom somewhere in Ghana today. Perhaps she is sitting right here at St. Francis of Assisi Girls’ Senior High School. Why should that not be possible?”
She praised President Mahama for choosing Prof Opoku-Agyemang as his running mate in the 2020 and 2024 elections.
Acta Non Verba – deeds, not words
The presidential aide, who often signs off on Facebook with the phrase Acta Non Verba, joked about its similarity to Holy Child School’s motto, Facta Non Verba.
“I did not attend Holy Child. Neither did I borrow my personal creed from the school,” she said with a laugh.
“Acta Non Verba reflects something I believe very strongly. Our words must be supported by our actions.”
She challenged the old students to reflect on the opportunities the school had given them and how they could improve the experience for the next generation.
“What opportunities did this school give us? What are we prepared to do to make the experience even better?” she asked.
“The measure of our gratitude is not simply how proudly we speak about St. Francis. It is what we are prepared to do for St. Francis.”
She urged FOGA to ensure that “every homecoming leaves behind more than photographs and pleasant memories”.
Her final charge to the students was: “Dream boldly. Study diligently. Conduct yourselves with integrity.”