By Lawrencia Akoto Frempong, GNA
Ashaiman, Nov. 17, GNA – The Ashaiman Senior High School (Ashaisec) has celebrated its 35th anniversary speech and prize-giving day, marking the growth of the school over the years.
The anniversary, which was on the theme: “Unlocking Potential; Embracing 21st Century Skills for a Brighter Tomorrow,” brought together past students from the various year groups, students, head teachers from different schools, and other stakeholders.
Miss Jemima Quarshie, the Headmistress of the Ashaiman Senior High School, said the erstwhile PNDC government in 1990 established the school in recognition of the need to educate the teeming youth in the Ashaiman community.
She said the school had shaped, trained and mentored curious minds across the country and had risen to prominence as one of the country’s finest agricultural-based educational institutions.
Miss Quarshie said Ashaisec had continuously grown in strength, and its learner population reflected the diversity and dynamism of the school, with dedicated educators and mentors being the backbone of progress.
She mentioned that the school presently had a total student population of 1246, with 71.1 per cent being females, outweighing the percentage of males.
She said the school’s academic programmes had deepened its commitment to holistic education, nurturing a culture of service, creativity and resilience while remaining grounded in the values that birthed the school.
Miss Quarshie added that discipline in the school had become its hallmark, and the transformation was the result of sustained hard work, intentional mentorship and the unwavering efforts of the strong counselling department, which continued to provide learners with empathy, structure and purpose.
She reiterated that the school’s management had put in place a “Leaver’s Day” programme for final-year students aimed at equipping them with knowledge in career-driven motives and knowledge about their choice of tertiary institutions.
She revealed that although the school had many achievements, it faced some challenges, especially with the water supply, even though they had two boreholes which needed mechanisation and refurbishment.
Other challenges, she said include security and additional boarding facilities, announcing that Ashaiman SHS had officially been granted a boarding status, a milestone that affirmed its readiness to provide structured residential education and holistic learner development.
“The absence of a boarding facility, especially for the boys, does not only undermine equity but also restricts access to structured academic support, pastoral care and the transformative experience that boarding life affords,” she added.
Miss Quarshie therefore appealed to the Ashiaman Municipal Assembly to make strategic use of the land adjacent to the girls’ dormitory, not only to expand the boarding facilities but also to consider the provision of accommodation for house staff, as their presence and proximity were vital to effective supervision.
She also called on the Ghana Water Company Limited to donate portions of their land adjacent to the school, to support its expansion agenda to elevate the learning environment and strengthen institutional capacity.
Mr Freeman Tsekpo, the Ashaiman Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), noted that the academic training students receive from the second-cycle institutions is to open their minds and prepare them for the future as they further their education.
Mr Tsekpo added that with the help of the Minister of Education, the E-block of the Ashaiman Technical and Vocational Institution would be fully furnished and completed with the necessary materials for students’ use by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
He assured Ashaisec that the Assembly, together with the stakeholders, would see to the completion of the boys’ dormitory to aid in effective studies, adding that challenges in the municipality, such as bad roads and drainage issues, would be fixed to attract more investors and make the municipality glamorous.
The MCE further urged the teachers to use technology and innovation to help the students and encourage them to be curious about academics, exposing them to potential skills and training.
He encouraged the students to be humble and avail themselves for mentorship and skill training, as it would help them in the future.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Sawer/ Christabel Addo