QRC Okoyong, Cameroon celebrates its diamond jubilee

By

Joseph Besong

Queen of the Holy Rosary College (QRC) Okoyong was the first girls’ secondary school in Cameroon. QRC Okoyong was created by the Missionary sisters of Holy Rosary from Ireland in 1956. During this time the place of the female child in Cameroon was the kitchen while their male counterpart went to school to better their life. The Catholic Church through this group of dedicated religious congregation took the first step to give the girls the best gift which was an education. Cameroonian girls saw the light and QRC Okoyong became the first place the first girls said goodbye to illiteracy, early marriages, early child birth, and the joy was fantastic.

December 11, 2016 marked 60 years since this citadel of learning was created in Cameroon. Past students of this college, known as OPSANS (Okoyong Past Students Association), who have been partners in the development drive of this institution, marked their presence in numbers. The OPSANS have been working tirelessly with the Bishop of Mamfe, His Lordship Andrew Nkea, who doubles as the proprietor of QRC Okoyong. The Bishop has made it his priority to bring this institution back into the lime light due to the low enrollment caused by economic hardship of the environs, poor road network linking QRC Okoyong, and new colleges created in the city to accommodate the girls. That notwithstanding, QRC remains one of the best secondary schools with academic excellence, moral rectitude, women empowerment, and a growing list of virtues.

The school has produced medical doctors, lawyers, accountants, civil servants, administrators, teachers, and women of substance who are serving both at home and abroad. These past students are called OPSA which stands for Okoyong Past Student’s Association with branches in all the towns in Cameroon. They also have vibrant OPSA branches abroad, notably in the US and Europe.

Past students, present students, Diocese of Mamfe, parents, government officials, friends, and the education family of Cameroon were all present at the event marking 60 years of the existence of QRC Okoyong. It was a moment of joy for all present. The celebration started with a high mass celebrated by the proprietor of QRC Okoyong, His Lordship Bishop Andrew Nkea. The religious leader’s sermon was fitting calling on all to support the growth of QRC Okoyong. He also thanked God for the gift of the institution, lavishing praise to the Holy Rosary Missionaries, Handmaid congregation from Nigeria who took over the baton of leadership from the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary, OPSANS the world over, parents and the students. He also thanked all those who had helped QRC from the time of its inception.

After the Holy Mass, there was the second part of the occasion which included a discourse about QRC, speeches, singing and a traditional display by the students. There was also a closing remark from the principal of the college and benediction from the bishop of Mamfe, Bishop Andrew Nkea. It was an event of great standing.

We are proud of QRC and the OPSA who continue to stand the test of time and empower the girls and women as a whole.

Joseph Besong

I am the editor-in-chief of Kilimandjaro radio. I hail from Africa, precisely from Cameroon in Central Africa.

I did my secondary education at Bishop Rogan College Soppo-Buea located in the South West Region of Cameroon. After graduation, I proceeded to the University of Buea-Cameroon where I read English minor in Journalism and Mass  Communication. I later worked in Cameroon as a broadcaster with Two radios namely Radio Evangelum and CBS Radio all located in Buea.

Presently, I work with Kilimandjaro radio, an online radio station based in Canada.