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The First Lady, Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo, has inaugurated the newly refurbished Independence Avenue Cluster of Schools in the Asheidu-Keteke Sub-Metropolitan District in Accra.
She was accompanied by the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, former Speaker of Parliament, Dr Ernest Addison, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, and Mrs Elizabeth Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey, Mayor of Accra, to perform the inauguration on Wednesday, September 18.
The redevelopment of the 118-year-old educational facility was done in a collaboration between the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the Bank of Ghana.
The facility has 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.
Mrs Akufo-Addo in a speech 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 called on 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, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru, on his part, expressed gratitude 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 in order to ensure its long-term impact on education in the community.
Dr Addison also 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, Mr Mohammed Adjei Sowah, for the construction of a modern classroom block, which was approved through its corporate social responsibility.
The Governor praised the collaboration between the Ghana Education Service (GES), the 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.
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. –GNA
