The newly refurbished Independence Avenue Cluster of Schools in the Ashiedu-Keteke Sub-Metropolitan District has been inaugurated by the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Her Excellency Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo amidst pomp and pageantry.
The First Lady, accompanied by the Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty (HRM), King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison, and the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Elizabeth Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey, commissioned the new school building on Wednesday, 18th September,2024.
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 block, 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, among others.
Inaugurating the facility, the First Lady for the Republic of Ghana, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, urged all citizens to adopt the spirit of prioritising the needs of future generations, adding that the modern school would provide quality education and training for children to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
She pointed out that the government had made education a priority, resulting in increased access and higher enrolment figures in public schools, stressing that education was crucial for Ghana’s development.
The First Lady urged the management of the school to make good use of the facilities to ensure high-quality education whilst encouraging the students to remain disciplined and strive for success in their academic and personal endeavours.
The Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, was grateful to all stakeholders and acknowledged the significant role played by the Bank of Ghana in supporting the project.
He emphasised the importance of the new school building and called for regular maintenance of the facility to ensure its long-term impact on education in the community.
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison, on his part highlighted the rich history of the school, which was founded in 1906 during the British colonial era, and recounted how the school, originally known as the Accra Government Girls School, served as a centre for the education of girls, including his mother and several other women from Osu.
He recounted how the Bank of Ghana received a request for support through the former headmistress, of the school, Mrs. Agatha Ama Dzathor, and the then Mayor of Accra, Hon. Mohammed Adjei Sowah, for the construction of a modern classroom block, which was approved through its corporate social responsibility (CSR).
The Governor praised the collaboration between the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), and the Bank of Ghana in bringing the project to fruition and urged the management of the school to adopt a rigorous maintenance culture 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 forbearance, 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, Hon. Elizabeth Kwatsoe Sackey, reiterated 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.
The first female Mayor of the City of Accra thanked the Bank of Ghana for its contribution and expressed optimism that the improved school infrastructure would significantly enhance education delivery in the area.
Mayor Sackey also commended her predecessor, Hon.Mohammed Adjei Sowah, and former Metropolitan Director of Education, Mr Stephen Abamfo, as well as Mrs Agartha Dzathor, a former Headteacher of the school, for their efforts in securing support for the school’s rehabilitation.
She assured collaboration between the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the Metro Directorate of Education, to ensure the proper maintenance of the school’s facilities for the benefit of future generations.
Present at the event, were a cross-section of chiefs from the Ga Mashie area, executives of the old Students Association, clergy and Assembly Members among others.