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, but 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, and was invited as Special Guest of Honour for the 67th anniversary and FOGA Homecoming.
Speaking on Saturday, October 17, under the theme “67 Years of Nurturing Leaders and Inspiring Excellence: Time to Retrace Our Steps,” Mogtari opened with,
“There is something profoundly satisfying about returning to a place that once offered you your dreams.”She recounted how she had come to Assisi to resit her O‑Levels, a test that had previously eluded her, and how her uncle’s recommendation of the quiet, supportive environment helped her succeed.
Mogtari highlighted her academic achievements, noting that she earned a distinction and WAEC awards for Best Student in English Language and Home Economics. She praised the former headmistress, Mrs Gyader, and Madam Dakurah, a former student of her mother, for instilling in her a sense of Catholicism, independence and a competitive spirit.
She reflected on her career path, asking the audience,
“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?”She also conveyed President Mahama’s greetings, emphasizing his commitment to expanding educational opportunities for girls and young women across Ghana.
Addressing current students, Mogtari urged them to “marry your books,” to prioritize studies over social media, and to view a single exam failure as not a life failure. She cited Professor Naana Jane Opoku‑Agyemang’s historic election as Ghana’s first female Vice‑President and challenged the audience to consider the possibility of a female president.
She praised President Mahama for selecting Prof Opoku‑Agyemang as his running mate in the 2020 and 2024 elections and joked about the similarity between the presidential aide’s motto “Acta Non Verba” and Holy Child School’s “Facta Non Verba.”
Concluding her speech, Mogtari challenged alumni to evaluate the opportunities the school has provided and to commit to improving the experience for future generations, stating that “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 more than photographs and pleasant memories, and finished with,
“Dream boldly. Study diligently. Conduct yourselves with integrity.”
