The Achimota Primary School (APS) 99 year group, in commemoration of its 25th completion anniversary, has returned to the school with developmental projects to further enhance the image of the school.
As the group celebrates this significant milestone intending to reflect on the journey 25 years ago, members acknowledge the moral, social, psychological and intellectual impact walking through the halls of Achimota Basic School as young students played in attaining their dreams; hence, the need to give back to the very foundation of their successes in life.
President of the year group association, Kofi Kyei Busia, highlighted that the education received, the friendships formed and the values learned have remained a guiding principle throughout life’s many challenges and triumphs over the two and half decades.
“Our time at Achimota was not just about academic achievements; it was about building character, fostering resilience and cultivating a spirit of excellence. These qualities have served us well in our personal and professional lives, and we must ensure that future generations of students receive the same opportunities,” he said.
The anniversary celebration, seen as an opportunity to give back to the great school, is themed ‘25 Years of Growth: Celebrating our Alma Mater, Embracing our Future’.
Headmistress of APS, Edith Kyeremateng, commended the alumni body for the tremendous support to the school over the years, mentioning a borehole constructed for the kindergarten recently. She assured the organising committee at the anniversary launch that the school would provide any assistance needed to make the celebration a success.
Activities lined up for the commemoration include mentorship engagement, welfare fund launch, teachers’ award, health talk and free screening, business bazaar and fun games, among others.
Development projects
The year group, as part of the anniversary commemoration, has listed some projects it is mobilising resources to embark upon. The projects, meant to enhance academic work and enhance the image of the school, include the provision of desks, books for the library, scholarships for brilliant but needed students, and rehabilitation of the teachers’ hall.
Board Member of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and an APS 99 member, Paul Kwaku Kyei Ofori, emphasised that alumni groups all around the world play a key role in the development of any educational institution and that is what the APS old students association wishes to ensure.
He mentioned that even though alumni associations at the basic education level are not as active and organised as the secondary and tertiary levels, Achimota is determined to be the pacesetter and change the narrative.
“We know people are always depending on the government but it is the alumni body that makes a school a great one; and so we are encouraging our alumni body to come together and invest in the school. We have a scholarship scheme onboard to support financially-challenged ones.
“Another critical need we have identified is the provision of student desks, which are essential for creating a conducive learning environment. We are hoping to donate about 500 desks to the school,” he said.
The scholarship, he added, will not only alleviate financial burdens but also inspire recipients to strive for excellence and make meaningful contributions to society.
