EDUCATION

Odododiodio gets new state-of-the-art school building

An 18-unit, three-storey classroom 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 has been commissioned to serve residents of the Ashiedu-keteke .

Date Created : 10/8/2024 : Story Author : Susana Danso/Ghanadistricts.com

The facility was commissioned by the First Lady Her Excellency (H.E.) Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo, accompanied by key dignitaries including His Royal Majesty (HRM), King Tackie Tsuru II, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison, and the Mayor of Accra, Madam Elizabeth Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey, aimed to set a benchmark for waste management practices while enhancing access to quality education in the area.
 
In her remark during the commission, the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, urged all citizens to adopt the spirit of prioritizing 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 enrollment figures in public schools stressing that education was crucial for Ghana’s development and used the opportunity to encourage the management of the school to make good use of the facilities to ensure high-quality education whilst urging 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, expressed appreciation to all stakeholders and acknowledged the significant role played by the Bank of Ghana.
 
He emphasised the importance of the newly constructed school and called for the 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, highlighted the rich history of the Independence Avenue Cluster of Schools, 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 revealed that in 2019, the Bank of Ghana received a request for support from the school, through its former headmistress, 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 by the bank in alignment with 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.
 
‘’It is the bank's expectation that the management of the school 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 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 highlighted 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.
 
She thanked Dr. Ernest Addison and the Bank of Ghana for their immense contribution to the project and was optimistic that the improved school infrastructure would significantly enhance education delivery in the area.
 
Mayor Sackey also commended her predecessor, Mr. 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 to secure support for the school’s rehabilitation.
 
Mr. Sackey assured that the AMA, in collaboration with the Metro Directorate of Education, would ensure the proper maintenance of the school’s facilities for the benefit of future generations.