INTRODUCTION Nene Kodjoe (also known as Cadet Capt. O.K Wayo) was a former student of Accra Academy and helped in the establishment of the school’s cadet corps during his time as a student at the school. He currently serves as the founding Chairman and CEO of SIA-Africa, together with working for New York City and New York State in multiple Law Enforcement capacities that allows him to work with Criminal Investigation Divisions, Intelligence Services, Oversight Investigation Agencies, and International Security.
AIM :The aim of his visit was to learn about the growth of cadet corps in educational institutions in Ghana, its impact towards maintaining discipline in schools and help rekindle the international exchange program and good practices of cadet corps among the youth of Ghana and the United State of America (USA).
ACTIVITIES :The National Cadet Corps headquarters team met him on Saturday 24th July 2021 for debriefing and welcomed him to Ghana. His first meeting was on Tuesday 27th July with the National Security Coordinator, Major General Francis Adu-Amanfoh (Rtd.). Later in the evening on that same day he had two engagements one with Mr. Ziad Hamoui of Borderless Alliance to discuss how Cadets in Ghana can benefit from his organization and later at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) UNIIQ FM 95.7 he shared his experiences as a youth in Ghana and most of his life story
On Wednesday 28th July, he met with several members of Accra Academy school cadet corps at the school. He was joined by a representative of the Greater Accra Regional Director of Education representative Mr. Ayensu Seth Botsie, the regional physical education director, Mr. Malcom Frimpong his assistant, the headmaster’s representative and Master-In-Charge of the school cadet corps Mr. Jeoffrey Avoke. Also present were some officials from the National Cadet Corps headquarters led by the National Cadet Coordinator Gen. Nicholas Nii Tettey-Amarteifio, the Southern Sector and Greater Accra Regional Cadet Corps headquarters staff officers.
The durbar at Accra Academy was brief and colorful as students were happy to meet an old student who has attained higher heights in life and has returned to where it all started (Bleoobi Cadet  O.K Wayo).
The team left for Labone Secondary School at about 11:00am where students of the Labone Navy cadets were ready to meet and interact with Mr. Kodjoe. The durbar started with the school cadet performing a quarter guard and later met in one of the school’s hall where students were inspired by the opportunity to know how they can achieve greatness by being members of the cadet corps while continuing to be disciplined. He encouraged them to be hard working and challenged them to positively influence their school mates. He also encouraged the female students to work hard and not to leave leadership to the boys. At both schools he donated a few face masks to the leaders and members present.
His last stop was the Girl Guides training center where he presented some gifts to commemorate the one hundred (100) years of Ghana Girl Guides Association. He mentioned that the founder of Ghana Girl Guides Association was his grandmother, Mrs Elsie Ofuatey-Kodjoe and it is a privilege for him to support the seed his grandmother sowed one hundred (100) years ago. He donated some books and electronics equipment to the association. In application the Commissioner of the Ghana Girl Guides presented their branded souvenir to him.
The National Cadet Coordinator General Nicholas Nii Tettey-Amarteifio, assured the leadership of the Ghana Girl Guides Association of their support during this time and beyond. He reminded everyone that Ghana boasts of six (6) major youth groups of which the Ghana Girl Guides Association is one.
On Thursday 29th July Nene called on the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA) Mr. Nelson Owusu-Ansah in his office. The major issues discussed were on youth volunteerism. They both shared their views on the well-organized youth groups like the Ghana Scouts, the National Cadet Corps and Ghana Girl Guides Association. They discussed how the Head of State Award, Boys and Girls Brigade, the YWCA and YMCA could be used to kick start the voluntary agenda for the NYA. Mr. Kodjoe also mentioned that he was ready to help Ghana liaise with some credible organizations and institutions in the United States of America (USA) for a possible culture exchange program to develop the youth programs in Ghana.
The last meeting was on Saturday 31st July where Mr. Kodjoe met with some volunteer cadet officers from the National, Southern Sector and Regional Headquarters. The meeting was to remind the members of the good voluntary work they are doing to develop the nation. He mentioned that if no one is paying them for their effort they should not relent and give up. He encouraged them to think about engaging in entrepreneurial endeavors, and with their success they will be able to give back to society and the organization they belong to. He also mentioned that sometimes among themselves they may be discouraged by the attitudes of some leaders but to remember that they are doing it for our beloved country Ghana.
The occasion was also used to cut the cake to welcome past female cadets into the leadership of the National Cadet Corps at all levels. It was a joyous and memorable event to see a lot of successful women (who were members of the cadet corps) come back ready to contribute to the corps. Mr. Kodjoe challenged them to work hard to occupy key position to be able to give back to the cadet Corps.
To climax the events for the day, Mr. Kodjoe made some donations which included, some face masks to the leadership, books authored by Lucy Quist, some refreshments to the volunteers present and also donated some sporting trophies to the National Cadet Corps headquarters to enhance its inter- unit sporting activities.
TRANSPORTATION:Â The National Cadet Corps headquarters made special arrangement for VIP transportation for the duration of the visit with support from the State Protocol department and Ghana Education Service Headquarters.
APPRECIATION:Â We wish to thank the Board Chairman and the Director General of the GES, Professor Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, for his leadership and direction for the visit.
Maximum appreciation to the State Protocol Department for their transport support during the period, the Greater Regional Education office and the Head and members of the cadet corps at Accra Academy and Labone Senior High School for their time.
The selfless volunteer, staff of the National Cadet Corps at all levels and especially the female past cadet for their readiness and time to support the cadet corps.
CHALLENGES AND SOLUTION:Â Other regional cadet headquarters will have loved to have the opportunity to meet with the Ex Cadet Capt. Nene Kodjoe Wayo, but due to time constraints and duration of this visit to Ghana, that was not possible. However, invitation was extended to some volunteer staff from other regions to join during the last meeting at the headquarters, and they showed up in their numbers.
RECOMMENDATION:
We recommend that subsequent visit must at least be to the three sectors of the Cadet Corps in the Ghana (Northern, Central and the Southern sector) and the duration must be extended.
Nene Kodjoe left Ghana for the USA on Sunday 1st August where he is based and working.
BYÂ Â CADET AYUBA MOHAMED
(NAT. CADET MASTER SARGENT)
   
