The Old Vandals Association has celebrated its return to Commonwealth Hall at the University of Ghana after five years away, with Deputy Minister and Member of Parliament Dr. Clement Abas Apaak calling on students to protect the fragile peace restored between the fraternity and the university.
The 2026 Vandals Jamboree, held on 1 August at Bacchus Gardens in Vandal City, brought together fraternity leaders, alumni and distinguished guests from Ghana and abroad for what was described as a historic homecoming.
This year’s gathering was the first Jamboree to be hosted at Commonwealth Hall since a prolonged impasse forced the Old Vandals Association (OVA) to hold its celebrations away from campus. The return was presented as an important step towards reconciliation, unity and renewed co-operation with the University of Ghana.
Dr. Apaak, who represented Old Vandals serving in both the Executive and the Legislature, described the occasion as an emotional and significant reunion. He thanked University of Ghana management for helping restore the cordial relationship that made the event possible.
He also urged current residents of Commonwealth Hall to maintain the calm that has been rebuilt.
Dr. Apaak said harmony within the university community was vital if the fraternity was to continue flourishing and retain its respected position at the University of Ghana. He called on every Vandal to show restraint, maturity and wisdom, warning that nothing should be allowed to undermine the peaceful atmosphere created through years of difficult engagement.
He added that continued constructive relations with the university administration would benefit both Commonwealth Hall and the wider university community. That relationship, he said, would also provide a strong platform for preparations for the hall’s 70th Anniversary in 2027, which he hoped would become one of the most memorable occasions in its history.
Office reopens and sanctions lifted
A key announcement at the Jamboree was the official reopening of the Global Head Office of the Old Vandals Association. The office had remained closed during the period of the impasse, and members regarded its return to operation as a symbol of institutional restoration and organisational renewal.
The gathering also marked the lifting of sanctions against seven students who had been rusticated during the disagreement between the fraternity and university authorities.
Six of those students have since returned to their academic programmes at the University of Ghana. Members observed a solemn moment in memory of the seventh student, who died before benefiting from the resolution.
Dr. Apaak said the progress being celebrated was the result of collective sacrifice and sustained efforts by individuals and institutions. He praised Old Vandals in the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary for helping restore peace and rebuild confidence between the association and the university.
He also recognised the National Council of Elders of the Old Vandals Association for its strategic leadership and guidance during the challenging period. The OVA National Executive was commended for maintaining its focus, co-ordinating reconciliation efforts and keeping the fraternity united.
The association’s regional chapters and its international branches in North America and the United Kingdom were also thanked for their continued support. Their mobilisation of resources, advocacy and commitment, Dr. Apaak said, reflected the strength of the Vandal spirit and upheld the fraternity’s slogan: “Once a Vandal, Always a Vandal.”
Commonwealth Hall’s legacy
Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, Dr. Apaak described Commonwealth Hall as one of Ghana’s leading leadership incubators.
Over the years, the hall has produced traditional rulers, politicians, judges, legal practitioners, vice chancellors, academics, researchers, business executives, security chiefs, media personalities, playwrights, entertainers and internationally acclaimed athletes. Those former students, he said, continue to make important contributions to national development.
He added that the reputation of the Vandal fraternity had been shaped by decades of resilience, discipline, organisation and service. The tradition remains widely regarded as one of Ghana’s most structured, progressive and caring student institutions, with a heritage that continues to influence new generations.
Dr. Apaak said Vandals proudly identified with freedom, equity, justice and service to society. He noted that members had consistently stood up for the voiceless and remained willing to defend what they believed was right.
He also reiterated that the name Vandal represents the qualities of being Vivacious, Affable, Neighbourly, Dedicated, Altruistic and Loyal, while the fraternity’s enduring motto is, “Truth Stands.”
The ceremony ended with Dr. Apaak thanking the Old Vandals Association for honouring him in recognition of his long-standing contribution to the fraternity.
He described the award as the most cherished of the many honours he had received during his public life, and reaffirmed his commitment to the ideals and lasting legacy of Commonwealth Hall and the Old Vandals Association.
