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AWUSCO @ 60: New 60-bed hospital commissioned. A brand new modern health facility has been commissioned to mark the 60th anniversary of the Awudome Senior High School in the Ho West District of the Volta Region.
The 60-bed “60th Anniversary School Clinic” has spaces for various health services and was undertaken by the Old Students Association (OSUA) at a cost of GHC 1.2 million.
Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister, officially opened the facility on behalf of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia during the anniversary grand durbar, held at the weekend
The Vice President applauded the alumni and various stakeholders for contributing significantly towards enhancing health coverage and said the needed equipment and personnel would be provided for the full operation of the facility.
He said: “In line with Government’s policy to ensure efficient healthcare for all citizenry, the old students of this great school saw it prudent to initiate and provide a GHC 1.2 million medical facility for the school.
“I am aware that the running of this medical facility would require some professional assistance from the Government and other social partners, and I wish to assure you that, such would be offered by the relevant medical stakeholders and institutions including the Ministry of Health.”
Thousands of past students from across the world are attending the week-long celebration which has turned the school campus into a fair ground with numerous commemorative and fun activities.
The school was established in 1963 by the Tsito Native Teachers Association with about 60 students.
It is regarded among the oldest Senior High Schools in the Volta Region and has an enviable record of academic achievements.
The anniversary was on the theme:” Sixty Years of Quality Education – Benefits, Benefits and Relevance in Contemporary Times.”
Prominent persons, including apex court judges, professors, doctors, and politicians that the school had produced, graced the grand durbar.
Mr Leonard Amekudzi, Global President of the alumni body celebrated the unity and commitment of the Union, which he said made possible the health project.
He expressed gratitude to the Government for the show of support, and said past students had plans to help provide other needs of the school such as water and sanitation.
Mr. Courage Meteku, Headmaster of the School said in his anniversary address, that the institution sought to become,“fully digitised,” and that arrangements were being made for students to take assessment examinations electronically.
He said innovative digital learning environments created included broadcasts of academic exercises such as dictation over PA systems on the campus and appealed to the Government to transform the school laboratory into a STEM facility to produce more science-oriented persons.
The school presently has a student and staff population of close to 3000, and the headmaster said security remained a major challenge with only five security officers while its fence-wall project awaits completion to end encroachment.
Mr. Keteku said Awudome Senior High would require about 1000 units each of furniture and bunk beds to end the disturbing scenes of students sleeping on bare floors and perching in classrooms.
The school’s head thanked the Parent Teacher Association, praising their support for the health project and for taking up the revival of a school bus grounded for over a decade.
The Vice President, in his anniversary speech said government will continue to address various challenges confronting education through policy and direct support, and that the school had been marked for a number of projects and interventions.
“I wish to indicate that Government in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service and other social partners has initiated action to resolve these issues including the following as part of the Government’s 60th anniversary package for AWUSCO:-Construction of a 3000 capacity assembly hall, provision of 18 unit classroom block, 2,000 classroom tables and chairs, vehicles, and the upgrade of the science lab into a STEM laboratory,” he said.
Dignitaries including Madam Elizabeth Ohene and traditional and political leaders for the area joined the Regional Minister and school leadership in cutting the anniversary cake.
Source: GNA
