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Accra Girls’ former staff honour former Headmistress

• Mrs Constance Mante, a retiree presenting a gift to Ms Clottey as Ms Diana Agyei, a senior citizen looks on
The Association of Former Staff of Accra Girls’ Senior High School (AFS-AGISS) has honoured Ms Bertha Clottey, former Headmistress of AGISS for her dedicated service to the school and for being a mother and counsellor to all teachers and administrative staff during her tenure in office.
Ms Clottey, joined the teaching staff of AGISS in 1977 as a History teacher and rose through the posts of Housemistress, Head of History Department, Senior House Mistress, Assistant Headmistress in 1994 and finally held the position of Headmistress for eight years before she retired in 2002.
For her hard work and outstanding performance, the Association held a lunch in her honour and presented her with gifts at its maiden get-together organised last weekend in Accra.
The get-together, which was full of excitement brought together former staff of AGISS, both teaching and non-teaching, including retirees and those in active service elsewhere.
The Event Organiser, Mr Seth Gadzekpo, a retiree and former staff of both AGISS and Achimota School, explained that “in consultation with a cross-section of members, we found it heartwarming and a rare rejuvenation of those past beautiful years we spent together in Accra Girls’ Secondary School to see one another again on a stage of our own to share happy moments together.”
Addressing the gathering, Ms Clottey expressed her profound appreciation to the former staff of AGISS for the honour done her.
“You have really given me a real shock. The shock is happiness in excess. You are all part of the success story of AGISS,” she noted.
She urged members of the Association to keep the unity fervently and show love to all around them.
Earlier, delivering a talk on the theme, ‘Management of life after retirement,’ the guest speaker, Professor Adelaide Naa Amerley Kastner, Dean of the Central University Business School (CUBS) and National President of the Accra Girls Old Students Association (AGOSA) noted that retirees were custodians of knowledge and there was the need to pass that knowledge on to others.
According to Prof. Kastner, who is also the Senior Presbyter at the Faith Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Shiashie, being a retiree is not the end of work but a time to identify your new purpose.
“Retirement is a time to channel more energy into doing charity work, be a prayer warrior, engage in hobbies, read and study, write a book and learn new skills such as weaving, beading or baking to overcome the feeling of loneliness,” she said.
To prevent hypertension, diabetes, stroke, poor eye-sight and dementia among others in order to prolong their lives, she advised the retirees to take good care of themselves and avoid unnecessary stress.
“Be health-conscious, exercise regularly and eat healthy diet. Revive the extended family system and maintain a good circle of friends who will make you laugh,” Prof Kastner advised.
Prof Kastner expressed gratitude to the former staff for their passion, knowledge, wisdom and experience in teaching that have brought AGISS where it is now and urged them not to allow these to go dormant but dialogue with the current staff of AGISS to have a programme together in mentorship and guidance.
“Accra Girls pride itself in being a category ‘A’ school. Others are standing on your shoulders to move the school forward,” she said.
Sharing her impressions about the get-together, Ms Patrolina Pinamang Tuffour, currently a teacher at Christian Methodist High School (CHRIMESCO) said it was a great reunion of old teachers of AGISS.
“In fact, you could see that everyone present was happy. It was a memorable day. God richly bless all the organisers, especially the one who initiated that idea. I pray God grant all of us long life with good health for more of those,” she added.
For Mr James Abadektemi, a lecturer at Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU), ”It was a great reunion, I didn’t regret sacrificing other pressing issues to be present at this maiden reunion. I’m very grateful to the organisers and looking forward to more of such events.”
The Assistant Head (Domestic) at St John’s Grammar School, Ms Alexander Mercy Tetteh said, “I came late but the little I saw was impressive. One could feel the spirit of oneness. God bless the organisers.”
In appreciation, one of the organisers, Mrs Gifty Anku, former Senior Assistant Registrar at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), now a retiree noted that it was a memorable day and thanked members for their presence and participation asking God’s blessing for all.
Another honouree, Mrs Vida Drapson, former Assistant Headmistress of AGISS and former Director of Education could not attend the event due to ill-health.
By Georgina Quaittoo
News
Government, GoldFields,reach agreement on Damang Mine

The Government of Ghana and Goldfields Ghana Limited have reached an amicable agreement on a transitional plan for the Damang Mine.
The operational modalities of the transition involve issuing a new 12-month mining lease to Goldfields’ subsidiary, Abosso Goldfields Limited, pending parliamentary ratification in
May 2025.
Under the new arrangement, Goldfields will resume open-pit mining during the transition period, safeguarding jobs and conducting feasibility studies to establish Damang’s reserves and mine life.
At the same time, the processing of existing stockpiles will continue under the supervision of a joint management team composed of representatives from the Government of Ghana
and Goldfields. The two parties will work in good faith to secure a successful transition and eventual transfer of a viable mine to Ghanaian ownership.
Both parties have agreed to advance discussions in good faith on the renewal of the lease for the Tarkwa mine, due in 2027, and pledged to work together to enhance Ghana’s
potential in the mining sector as a favourable investment destination,
News
Ophelia Crossland appointed as new Creative Director of Nineteen57

In an exciting turn for Ghana’s fashion industry, celebrated designer Ophelia Crossland has officially assumed leadership of Nineteen57, the iconic menswear brand founded by her husband, Kofi Okyere-Darko (KOD).
This transition follows KOD’s recent appointment as Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President—a prestigious national role that reflects his continued service to Ghana on a global scale.
With this new chapter in public service, the reins of Nineteen57 have now passed to Ophelia Crossland, who will take on both the day-to-day operations and creative direction of the brand.
Ophelia Crossland, the CEO and founder of her eponymous womenswear label, brings over a decade of experience in luxury fashion.
Known for her keen eye for detail and mastery in haute couture, her leadership is expected to usher in a new era for Nineteen57—one that blends timeless African sophistication with modern sensibilities for the stylish gentleman.
“Nineteen57 has always stood for bold sophistication and African excellence,” said Ophelia Crossland. I’m excited to build on that legacy and explore new creative horizons with the team,” she said.
The transition marks a defining moment for the fashion power couple—Ophelia taking the creative lead in fashion innovation while KOD serves the nation in his new diplomatic role.
Together, they continue to elevate Ghana’s presence across fashion and governance.