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AHISCO @ 99 …old students encouraged to keep torch ablaze
Mr Osei presenting the polythank to Stepehen Owusu looking
on second left is the headmistress and others
Following many years of legacy and impact, the Governing Board, Management, Staff and Old Students of Accra High School (AHISCO) have commenced series of year-long activities to mark the school’s 99th Founders’ Day celebration.
The commemoration which began officially on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, is spearheaded by the 1972, 1982, 1992 and 2002 Year Groups and would be climaxed with a Homecoming event on Saturday, November 19, 2022.
The groups were mandated by the National Executive Committee of AHISCO Old Students Association (AHISCOSA) on March 7, 2022, to plan and finance programmes outlined for the anniversary.
Activities preceding Wednesday’s gathering included orientation and mentorship session for continuing students. AHISCO is again lacing boots for its Centenary celebration later in August 2023.
Mr. Osei Bonsu Dickson, Director Legal at the Ministry of National Security, delivering the keynote address, described his journey through AHISCO as a “fulfilling one.”
He said as the school continued to produce more influential people in society, it was “important for the story of AHISCO to be told” as it prepared for the years ahead.
He said the advancement in technology implied that the current body of students must be “equipped for the changes that come with the fourth industrial revolution.”
To this end, he announced the introduction of a Cyber Security Mentorship Programme which would ensure that students “were not left out of the cyber revolution.”
Mr. Osei Bonsu again urged the students to remain grateful to their Alma Mater and maintain “a sense of pride for being part of the ‘Onukapai’ family,” adding that continuing students should tap the expertise of mentors whenever they were at the “crossroads.”
Madam Evelyn Nabia, Headmistress of Accra High School, in her address, also stressed the need to consolidate the progress made by the institution over the years.
“Starting with eight students, the student population currently stands at 2,636. Our school after many decades will go through a new phase and we need to build upon what the founding fathers have done,” she said.
She praised the old students for the support they continued to provide and encouraged them to engage the government to ensure more developmental projects were implemented to help expand existing infrastructure in the school.
Real Admiral (rtd) Muhammef Munir Tahiru, Chairman of the occasion, also urged the various year groups to “keep up the can-do spirit” and continue to impact the school and society positively.
“AHISCO was not established to serve itself; it was established to be a leader. Compared with other schools, we were given the least but we continue to prove that we can do it better than anybody else and have no doubt that we will continue to be the best,” he said, and called on AHISCODIANS to turn out in their numbers for the Centenary launch and celebrations.
Mr. Peter Yao Bosrotsi, Financial Secretary of AHISCO Old Students’ National Executive Committee, also thanked the government for making the school a boarding institution.
He congratulated the 1972, 1982, 1992 and 2022 year groups on their initiative and tasked them to do more to improve the fortunes of the school.
The occasion which attracted hundreds of old students saw the induction of executives of the 1999 and 2003 year groups. The 1972 year group donated 20,000 litre polytank while the ’85 year group is also sponsoring the construction of a mechanised bore hole for the school.
By Ernest Nutsugah
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
