ACHISCO LAUNCHES GOLDEN JUBILEE ACTIVITIES (PAGE 54, NOV 22, 2010)

THE Acherensuahene, Agyewodin Adu Gyamfi Ampem, has appealed to the government and the general public to assist the Acherensua Senior High School (ACHISCO) to become a centre of excellence in the country.
While praising Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah for his foresight in establishing the school, the Omanhene said the school still lacked a number of facilities to enable it to achieve its mandate.
Launching activities marking the Golden Jubilee celebration of the school in Kumasi, Agyewodin Ampem, who is also the Chairman of the Ghana Education Service Council, said classrooms, dormitory blocks and other teaching and learning materials must be put in place to properly position the school to deliver.
A number of activities have been lined up for the year-long celebration.
Agyewodin Ampem said ACHISCO had turned out many great people who were contributing in various ways towards the development of the nation and abroad.
He said but for the school, many of such great people might not have had the opportunity to continue their education after the basic level.
The school, which was established in September, 1961, was one of the Educational Trust Schools set up by the Convention People’s Party’s (CPP) government to boost education in the country.
The Omanhene said Dr Nkrumah’s realisation that only education could lift up the rural areas and for that reason established the school at Acherensua, had been worthwhile.
He praised past and present crop of chiefs of the area, current and pioneer tutors and other personalities whose sweat and toil had contributed in diverse ways to the success of the institution.
Agyewodin Ampem acknowledged that although the school faced challenges, it had produced men and women of excellence who were serving in various capacities throughout the world, adding that five of the current parliamentarians were products of ACHISCO.
He said once their performance had carved a name for the school, it behoved past students as owners to maintain such priceless possession better than anyone else, and urged them to help the school in its development programme.
The Omanhene said all hands must be on deck to make ACHISCO a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning.
The Headmaster of the school, Mr John Asare Baiden, appealed for support for the school to effectively carry out its mandate.
He said the school had no assembly hall, which did not speak well of it, adding that some of the school buildings, including the classrooms had also not seen any major renovation for years.
“Insufficient accommodation for the students and poor road network at the compound are some of the major problems facing ACHISCO,” Mr Baiden stated.
He stressed that only a one-unit block was used as dormitory to house 400 female students.
“The students have to arrange and re-arrange the dining hall during any gathering. We call on the old students, most of whom are in gainful employment to come over to Macedonia and help us,” the headmaster said.
Present to support their alma mater were three parliamentarians, namely Mr Albert Kan Dapaah, the MP for Afigya Sekyere West, Mr Yaw Baah, the MP for Kumawu and Mr Balado Manu, the MP for Ahafo Ano South. They were supported by Mr Kennedy Agyapong, the MP for Assin North.