I am that I
am because I’m the Alpha. I am the Alpha
because that is my surname. So what does
it infer to be the Alpha?
Traditionally
and biblically, Alpha means “beginning”. Hence, to be the Alpha denotes that
you are the beginning; that one person responsible for starting that change and
taking needful responsibility at all times. Limiting it to Ghana’s premier
university of communication GIJ, I knew I was going to be the only one carrying
the Alpha cross and living life the Alpha way. But my dream became uncertain
when Eunice Mintah, a young colleague I worked with at JCP, disclosed to me
that there was another Alpha within the confines of GIJ. I was amazed. Instinctively, I perceived that
my dream had been cut short suddenly and unexpectedly. The journalism drive in
me was set forth and did it require me to do serious diggings, ferret
information about the so called Alpha? What would be his portrait and what
mission could he initiate?
At the
appropriate time, I had a personal encounter with the eminent Benjamin Alpha. We
met co-incidentally when I was helping Mabel Blankson to organize an event
titled; “Meeting the Legends”, last semester.
He exhibited the qualities of a sage in the various dimensions of GIJ, both
within the student domain and administration at large. Truthfully, he was very
instrumental in helping us put together a wonderful event. Actually, he was the
moderator. Behind the scenes, I realized that the Benjamin under discussion
shared a lot with me apart from just a name. From there onwards, whenever we met,
both within and outside campus, we utilized minutes and sometimes hours,
talking about issues that dominated the media scenes in conjunction with its
effects on students and the general wellbeing of the entire populace. I must
confess that I categorized myself as good but Benjamin Alpha was extremely
better or the best if I was to be objective. He was wary of the facts and was
never coward of rubbing them on your face anytime you engage in banter with
him.
Ever since I
associated myself with Benjamin Alpha, I have witnessed positive influential
roles he has played in numerous activities I have engaged in. Key among them has
been his assessment and contribution to the Citizenline
initiative which was adjourned the best Idea at Inform Ghana’s “Walk the
Talk Contest” last year. His immense contribution to the “News Shot” platform,
a free newswire on WhatsApp that provides subscribers with news on the go, is
worth mentioning. But the truth is it is
not the kind of relationship that exist between us that you should be
interested in, because the script has already been written. Rather, I entreat
you to exercise an unbiased interest in his achievements as the dice is about
to be cast for leadership slots in our cherished institution.
I present to
you THE REAL Alpha, whom right from the word go, had shown glimpses of
leadership qualities. In Junior High School, he was the head prefect of S.I.
P.L. School Complex. Credited as the second best B.E.C.E
student in 2007 in the Western Region, Alpha had the opportunity to attend
Mfantsipim School. Fast forward to
Senior High School, his confidence and hard work earned him the position as the
Vice President of the Writers and Debaters Club. He never discomfited for he supervised
the rebirth of “Botaepa”, the official Mfantsipim School Magazine which
previously interred and was condemned to history as the Magazine’s editor and
also led Mfantsipim to win many laurels in debate as head of the school’s
debating team. On the backdrop of this, he was awarded as the most Outstanding
Debater in 2010-2011 by the Mfantsipim Old Boys Association.
When
Benjamin Alpha stepped foot on GIJ campus in 2012, he wasted no time in
demonstrating his ability to actualize his experiences and acumen in leadership
positions. Consequently, he became the first level 200 student, since the
inception of the 2009 GIJ SRC constitution, to become the Attorney General and
head of legal aid committee. A position which hitherto had been the preserve of
level 300’s and 400’s. Benjamin Alpha also served as member of the Ghana Union
of Professional Students (GUPS) week celebration committee 2014 and is currently
the General Secretary for GUPS. It is
this same gentleman who made GIJ proud earlier this year when he represented
the Institute in a debate on TV3’s NEW DAY PROGRAMME.
It is based
on all this remarkable achievements that I have opted to whole heartedly
support the Alpha agenda and support him to become the next General Secretary
of our SRC.
Ladies and
gentlemen, I officially on behalf of the ALLIANCE to GET ALPHA ENDORSED (AGAE)
, the organized movement for Benjamin Alpha’s agenda, introduce to you our
General Secretary hopeful.
#Don’t Say
Secretary
#SayAlpha
It’s our season to reason…
