Day: December 5, 2023

Ho-Dome Experimental Primary School, now Ho-Dome Evangelical Presbyterian Basic School at Ho in the Volta Region, has celebrated its maiden homecoming.

The school was founded through the efforts, diligence and hard work of Togbe Adzie Constantine I (1910-1926), Togbe Kwasi Yao Wusu II (1930-1933) and Togbe Mottey Kofi II (1934-1962), respectively.

The first pupils of Ho-Dome Experimental Primary School entered Class One in September 1930, and this was in accordance with the 1925 Sir Gordon Guggisberg Constitution and Educational Reform of the Gold Coast through the Indirect Rule System of Governance.

The pupils were trained holistically for a responsible adult and future life, and the school had been a durable foundation for many professionals including renowned medical doctors, engineers, lawyers, businesspeople and women, teachers, administrators, nurses, pastors, and traditional rulers.

The event was on the theme: ‘Proud of Our Foundation, Ready for the Future.’

Mr Wogbe Kwashie, a legal practitioner
and alumnus, said that the school produced excellent scholars and professionals in a variety of leadership fields, making it one of the best in Ho and the entire Volta region.

He said the goal of the homecoming was to rally the alumni to aid in the school’s growth and restore it to the illustrious academic greatness of its heyday.

Mr Wogbe said that the Ho Dome Experimental Primary School had laid the foundation for their diverse educational paths and professional careers, and that it was now time to give back to both their alma mater and society.

He urged all former students to join the transformational agenda, saying, ‘We should now crave for the growth and development of the now Ho Dome Basic School through doing the needful.’

Mr Wogbe said the main objective was to raise the school’s academic performance by providing new facilities, instructional materials, and learning resources, and completing the fence wall to ensure the students’ safety.

An alum, Mama Attrato II, Queen of Ho-Dome, single-handed s
ourced for fund from the Japan Embassy, which she used to build a new school block and fenced the Eastern part of the compound.

Mama Attrato, who chaired the event, emphasised how important it was for former students to support their alma mater and make sure that those who came after them succeeded academically.

Togbe Adzie Lakle Howusu XII, Dufia of Ho-Dome, and Awafiaga of Asogli State, urged the students to maintain discipline, obey their teachers, and abstain from actions that would hinder their academic progress.

Miss Judith Princess Kuseto, Headmistress of the school, stated that the school was well-known in Ho and throughout the Municipality for its outstanding performance in academic and sporting activities.

She appealed to the alumni to assist in renovating the computer lab and supplying them with more modern and effective computers to enhance ICT teaching and learning,

Miss Kuseto also appealed for the kindergarten block to be given a facelift to improve the area’s condition and make it more ch
ild-friendly, as well as the provision of basic teaching and learning resources, such as storybooks, to encourage a love of reading in the younger generation.

To stop mentally challenged people and stray animals from entering the school, she made an appeal to non-governmental organisations, philanthropists, and cooperative individuals to help finish the fence wall surrounding the campus.

Mrs. Marian Jemima Akua Adzroe, Head of E.P. Schools in the Volta, who was the guest speaker, said the school had produced many notable individuals and continued to follow its path to this day, which was why alumni’s achievements, milestones, and unwavering spirit are celebrated.

She said that it was right to embrace the past, influence the present, and motivate the future and that the school’s reputation was built on the strength of hard work, volunteerism, and optimism.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa, has conferred a Doctorate degree on Sir Samuel Esson Johah, a distinguish statesman who is a global mining icon with vast experience in leadership, management, marketing and innovation.

The award was in recognition of his unmatched and outstanding contribution to the mining industry of Ghana and the world at large.

Sir Jonah received the Doctor of Science honorary scouser and a citation during the 15th congregation ceremony of the UMaT at Tarkwa.

He is a businessman, Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital, an equity fund based in Johannesburg. This fund owns 14 mineral resource assets across ten countries in Africa.

Sir Jonah has contributed significantly to the educational sector and served in various capacities and institutions across the globe.

By dent of his hard work and exemplary leadership, he had been decorated with many awards and honors.

Currently, he is the Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana and a visiting professor of busine
ss at the University of Witwatersrand Business School in Johannesburg and a member of its governing council.

Delivering the special guest address at the congregation, Sir Jonah expressed profound gratitude to the Academic Board, the University Council and the Administration of the UMaT for the honour.

He stressed that ‘as UMaT graduates, you carry the responsibility of upholding the standards of excellence and contributing positively to society.

‘Remember, your education does not end here, it is a lifelong journey. Stay curious, remain open to new ideas, and continue to cultivate your intellectual curiosity. Seek out opportunities for personal and professional growth, and never underestimate the impact you can have on the world.’

The Chancellor of UCC revealed that he was aware of the high-quality assurance standards and practices at the UMaT, which have always translated into quality products such that graduates of that university always excel in their field of work wherever they found themselves.

‘I am
therefore highly optimistic that the 2023 graduates will add to the success story of the University,’ he said.

‘Vice Chancellor, as the University is growing in leaps and bounds and has remained true to its mandate of training professionals in mining, petroleum, technology, and related engineering disciplines, I anticipate a time when UMaT will become the MIT of Africa as the Chancellor has always envisioned.

‘One of the steps to take to make this a reality is to continue to deepen the industry-academia relationship to influence both the theoretical and practical training of students and make them readily accepted into industry. As a mining engineer, I want to assure you that I will use my good office to support this agenda,’ he indicated.

Sir Jonah commended the Government and the Ghana Chamber of Mines for their continuous support and expressed the hope that they would do more for the University to become the foundation of the industry-driven transformation agenda of the country.

‘In this regard, I will
personally liaise with the Vice Chancellor in efforts to attract more funding opportunities for the development of UMaT since changing global trends show that the future of the world belongs to countries that take science, technology, and innovation seriously, and make conscious efforts to train their manpower in these areas’ he further revealed.

He lauded the Minister of Education for his personal leadership and interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Vocational education to become the cornerstone of the educational curricula of Ghana, adding that the impact of this effort would be seen in a few years.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The admission process for first year Senior High School (SHS) students is progressing smoothly in SHSs across the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.

When the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited some of the schools, it observed that students and their parents or guardians were trooping the campuses in taxi cabs or private vehicles with their trunks, chop boxes, mattresses, brooms, and cutlasses among other items.

Students under the guidance of their parents were in queues going through the admission process, including filling online forms, data verification, dormitory allocation and inspection of items in their prospectus.

The GNA also observed that some students who failed to buy certain items prescribed in their prospectus were instructed to get them before allowing them into their respective dormitories.

Mr Bernard Adu Amoako, Senior House Master at the Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS), told the GNA that so far, the admission process for the students had progressed smoothly devoid of any challenges.

He s
aid: ‘The only issue is that some of the students somehow are not aware of the online registration, so we ask them to go back and fill the forms before coming for verification and subsequent allocation of dormitories’.

Some parents the GNA interacted with expressed satisfaction at how fast and smooth the process had been, while others were frustrated for being redirected to access online registration forms for their wards.

Mr Richard Gyamfi, a parent, expressed delight at how smooth the process had been, and commended management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) for a good job done.

He, however, said the date for reopening for the students came at short notice, and afforded parents little time to adequately prepare and provide all items for their wards.

‘Going forward, I think our leaders in charge of education must seek a broader consultation with all stakeholders to decide the re-opening date so that we parents will not be under intense pressure to buy everything for our children’, he added.

Sourc
e: Ghana News Agency

The Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Tuesday handed over a cheque for $1,048,200 for Teaching and Learning Materials (TLM) to the Ghana Education Service (GES) in Accra.

This is part of the support for the eight million dollar Girls’ Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) by KOICA project being implemented in 10 districts in the Central and Eastern Regions of Ghana.

The Girls’ STEM by KOICA project is a four-year gender-responsive pedagogy project that generally seeks to improve the competency of Junior High School (JHS) girls in Science, Technology, Mathematics and Engineering (STEM) education in the Central and Eastern Regions, across 10 districts, five districts in each region.

It is also to enhance the competencies of Mathematics and Science teachers, promoting gender sensitivity among education officials, and improving the academic achievement and graduation rates of female Junior high school(JHS) pupils.

A total of 400 Junior High Schools, 200 from each participatin
g region, are beneficiaries of this ongoing project.

Mr Donghyun Lee, Country Director of KOICA, noted that there was a huge gap between the number of girls interested in the study of Mathematics and Science to boys.

He said investing in the education of young girls was an investment in the future to bridge the gaps by empowering them with the knowledge and skills needed for a brighter future.

Mr Lee said the project would bridge the gaps, inspire innovation, and cultivate a generation of empowered women, who would shape the future of STEM.

‘The Girls STEM by KOICA project embodies our collective commitment to empowering young minds, breaking barriers, and fostering inclusivity in education.

‘Today, we come together not only to review the progress made so far, but also to witness a pivotal moment as we hand over essential Teaching and Learning Materials that will further enhance the educational experience for our beneficiaries,’ the Country Director stated.

Mr Eric Nkansah, Director, GES, said there had
been ‘so much drive’, investment and promotion of STEM education in the country.

He said STEM was important in the fourth industrial revolution in transforming any country, hence, the younger ones must be trained in the 21st century way.

Mr Nkansah said KOICA had been collaborating with the GES in supporting girls in about 400 schools across the country.

‘…And what they are doing with these girls is actually transformative. I am sure you have seen the demonstration that have been made here,’ the Director stated.

The exhibition, he said, showed how the girls were putting the theories that they had learned in class into action, which revealed the potential of a Ghanaian child when supported.

‘So far, the Midline reports that has just been presented to us indicates that there has been massive improvement in the study of Science.

‘We are grateful to KOICA and the Korean government for this massive support. It is our prayer that we are able to do this and then even scale it across the country,’ Mr Nkansah sa
id.

KOICA was established in 1991 by the Republic of

Korea as a governmental organisation to implement the Korean government’s grant aid and technical programmes.

KOICA Ghana Office has been supporting and implementing developmental programmes in Ghana in four key sectoral areas – Public Health, Agricultural, Rural Development, Education and Governance.

Source: Ghana News Agency