First Lady commissions redeveloped 118-year-old Independence Avenue school cluster
Among those present at the recommissioning of what was once the Accra Government Girls’ School were a cross-section of chiefs from the Ga Mashie area, executives of the old students’ association, clergy and assembly members
The First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, on Wednesday (18 September) commissioned the newly refurbished Independence Avenue Cluster of Schools, in the Ashiedu-Keteke Sub-Metropolitan District of Accra. The redevelopment of the 118-year-old educational facility, a collaboration between the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the Bank of Ghana, includes an 18-unit, three-storey classroom block and a three-unit nursery school block.
The cluster of schools is fully equipped with modern amenities such as science and computer laboratories, libraries, a staff common room, offices, a horticultural garden and a playground for students.
Inaugurating the facility, Rebecca Akufo-Addo urged all citizens to adopt the spirit of putting the needs of future generations ahead of their own, adding that the modern, refurbished school would provide quality education and training for children to equip them to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
She said the government had made education a priority, resulting in increased access and higher enrolment figures in state-run schools, because education is crucial to Ghana’s development.
The First Lady urged the management of the school to make good use of the facilities to ensure high-quality education while encouraging the students to remain disciplined and strive for success in their academic and personal endeavours.
The Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders and acknowledged the significant role played by the Bank of Ghana in completing the project.
He emphasised the importance of the new school buildings and called for regular maintenance of the facility to ensure a long-term impact on education in the community.
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Ernest Addison, highlighted the rich history of the school, which was founded in 1906, in the British colonial era. He recounted how the school, originally known as the Accra Government Girls’ School, served as a centre for educating some of the brightest girls, including his mother and many other women from Osu.
He recounted how the Bank of Ghana received a request through a former headmistress of the school, Agatha Ama Dzathor, and the then mayor of Accra, Mohammed Adjei Sowah, for support for the building of a modern classroom block. The request was approved under the Bank’s corporate social responsibility programme.
The Governor praised the collaboration between the Ghana Education Service (GES), Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and Bank of Ghana in bringing the project to fruition. He urged managers of the school to adopt a culture of maintenance to ensure the longevity of the facilities for future generations.
Dr Addison also reminded the teachers of their crucial role in nurturing young minds and encouraged students to use the school as a place to explore, innovate and reach new heights.
“The Bank expects that the school’s management will commit to a rigorous maintenance culture to enhance the lifespan of the facilities for the present and future generations.
“To the pupils who will walk through these gates: this school is your oyster, where your curious minds will explore, question and innovate to reach higher heights than your forebears. And to the teachers: remember that your dedication and nurturing of these young minds will contribute to making this school a place of excellence that will produce the needed human capacity for the nation’s workforce,” he said.
The Mayor of Accra, Elizabeth Kwatsoe Sackey, explored the theme of the event, “Quality Education in the 21st Century: the Role of Stakeholders”, and stressed the importance of stakeholder involvement in providing quality education.
Ms Sackey, the first female mayor of the City of Accra, thanked the Bank of Ghana for its contribution to making the project a reality and expressed optimism that the improved school infrastructure will enhance the local delivery of education significantly.
She also commended her immediate predecessor, Mohammed Adjei Sowah, and the former metropolitan director of education Stephen Abamfo, as well as Agatha Dzathor, the former headteacher, for their efforts in securing support for the school’s rehabilitation.
Mayor Sackey assured guests that the AMA and the Metro Directorate of Education will collaborate to ensure the proper maintenance of the school’s facilities, for the benefit of future generations.
The First Lady was accompanied by a host of dignitaries, including the Ga Mantse, the former Speaker of Parliament Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye and Dr Addison.
Among other guests at the event were a cross-section of chiefs from the Ga Mashie area, executives of the old students’ association, the clergy and members of the metropolitan assembly.
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