Most people are proud of their alma mater because of its status on the academic scene. Others, usually those from “smaller” schools rely on their experience on campus to build their love for it. Larry Aganey, a Bishop Herman Old Boys Union (BHOBU) member has certainly found an extra reason to love and be proud of not just his former school, but also his mates from the 2005 year group of Bishop Herman College.
When the group got wind of his rectal cancer diagnosis back in October 2014, it wasted no time in soliciting help in and outside the group to come to their comrade’s aid. At the time, he was on his fourth session of Chemotherapy. Rectal cancer is a disease in which there is an abnormal growth of cells in the tissues of the rectum, which can spread to and take over other parts of the body.
The group maintained close contact with the family since then monitoring progress and helping where possible to the point where physicians had determined surgery to remove the tumor as the only available option after the Chemotherapy. BHOBU ’05 was immediately moved to raise money to help the family cover the cost of surgery estimated at about ten thousand Cedis GH₵10,000.
The check value of six thousand Cedis (GH₵6,000), and some medical supplies was presented to Larry Aganey on behalf BHOBU ‘05 by its president Sylvester Kwame Kafui Mintah at the Surgical Department of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital on Thursday 9th July 2015.
Larry’s father, Mr. Francis Aganey, who received the check on behalf of his son, was overwhelmed by the support, stating as he thanked BHOBU ’05 and key players in making the support possible that even though he has joined a number of groups/unions he has never seen that level of benevolence. A clearly touched Larry Aganey’s acknowledgement of his old “Biheco” mates’ kind gesture was full of gratitude. Speaking on the donation, Sylvester K.K Mintah, who also doubles as the deputy secretary of BHOBU (National), intimated that the group’s main motivation was simply to help a brother in need.
“Our main motivation for this gesture is not how much of a financial support we have given but to prove that people are still ready to be there for one another even in the midst of the economic challenges of the time. We are living in a highly individualistic era where getting hope is becoming hopeless.
Thanks to the leader of BHOBU05 diasporas, John Amaglo for the assistance in raising the needed funds to restore hope to a brother. We have just demonstrated that we can still support each other in difficulties, which is a fundamental value in our culture as Africans. Larry is a brilliant chap and we are convinced he has a glittering future. We could not sit and do nothing whilst he struggled” he said. Larry is a graduate of the University of Cape Coast where he read BSc Agriculture.
Larry was scheduled to go under the knife on the 10th of July 2015 and according to feedback from his father, the surgery was very successful. Mr. Francis Aganey indicated his son is now recuperating in the surgical ward at the moment. He couldn’t help but reiterate their (the family’s) gratitude to BHOBU ’05.
