Golden Ghana

MFANTSIMAN GIRLS' SECONDARY SCHOOL 44TH SPEECH & PRIZE-GIVING DAY CELEBRATION HEADMISTRESS' ADDRESS

The 1981 Year-Group, who turned twenty-five last year, promised at last year�s event that they would sponsor the event this year as a way of initiating the �Year-Group Sponsorship of Speech Day events. They have kept faith with their promise, and in this wise, have become pace-setters. At the appropriate time they will unfold the package they have for us.

We understand that the �82 Year-Group has a surprise up their sleeves for the School next academic year. We are optimistic that once begun, all other year-groups would organize themselves to inject the necessary resources to revitalize our ''ailing'' School.

Madam Chairperson, we embarked on a process of gradual and systematic reduction in student population from the 2004/2005 academic year in our resolve to decongest the dormitories and the classrooms. So far, we have been able to bring down student population from 1928 in 2004/5 to 1708 this academic year. Though he number may seem very small, is quite significant in that it constitutes five full classes in the School. We hope to continue until the class sizes become very comfortable to handle.

The 2006/2007 academic year did not take off smoothly because the National Association of Graduate Teachers embarked on an industrial action to demand better conditions of service and higher salaries. All graduate teachers, particularly those belonging to the NAGRAT, therefore withheld their services and this derailed academic work for the greater part of the first term. However, academic work resumed in earnest soon after the industrial action was called off. I would like to put on record that even though graduate teachers embarked on the industrial action irrespective of their individual association affiliations, a few of them remained faithful to their duty throughout the strike period but decided to suffer the forfeiture of their October salary in solidarity with their colleague NAGRAT teachers. The above notwithstanding, I can assure you, Madam Chairperson, of a hardworking and dedicated staff the School continues to rely on � staff who are not daunted by the numerous challenges they encounter in the discharge of their duties, and other ancillary difficulties that militate against their comfort and subsistence like accommodation, water, and transportation. We appreciate their patience and fortitude, and I want to use this opportunity to encourage and urge them on to continue to carry out their professional duties with unrelenting diligence, remembering that the future of these young ones, our students � our future leaders � to a great extent, lies in our hands. Madam Chairperson, the School made some modest gains over the period under review.

Mr. Silas Osei, Head of the French Language Department, won the 2006 Best Teacher, Secondary Division, Award at the National Best Teachers Award Celebration held at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region on the 5th of October last year.

Miss Abena Konadu-Yeboah a second year General Arts student emerged as the best pupil in the Brong Ahafo Region for the President�s Independence Day Award 2006. She participated in the Camp Rising Sun Programme held in U.S.A. from the 22nd of June to the 22nd of August 2006.

Another second year student Miss Nana Adwoa Crentsil, (Home Economics), also participated as a member of the National Netball team in an international tournament held in Namibia last year. The team won a bronze medal.

The two students have since returned to School. The School initiated a process of inducting the final year students into the Mfantsiman Old Girls� Association (MOGA). The 2006 Year-Group had the privilege of being the first batch of students to be inducted into the Association. We hope this will form the basis of Year-Group networking. During the period under review, the Mfantsiman Old Girls� Association (MOGA) organized a successful Homecoming event from July 28 to 30, 2006. Highlight of activities included: Bonfire and �Music for your Dancing Feet� on the eve of Friday 28th July, procession through the principal streets of Saltpond town followed by �A Congress of Past and Present Students� on Saturday, July 29; and a Thanks-Giving Service on Sunday, July 30 2006. Arising from the Homecoming was a pledge by the Association to put up a permanent block to house the Visual Arts Department. The project has taken off with the laying of the foundation.

We are appealing to all year groups, individuals and organizations to redeem their pledges to hasten work on the project. Madam Chairperson, the dormitory block started last year with funding from the GETFund is still on-going; decking of the first floor is completed and raising of columns is in progress. Madam Chairperson, last year, I announced that the PTA was assisting the School to undertake a landscaping project dubbed �Beautification Project�. The first phase of the project covering areas around the School Chapel is almost completed. Re-grassing of the lawns is done; pavement blocks have been laid around sections of the chapel, and terracing work is under way in front of Butler House. In fulfilment of a pledge made at the launching of the Mfantsiman Endowment Fund, Speciality Building Solution, now known as JELANI Ghana Ltd. has constructed roof gutters for two houses. We are so grateful to the directors, Messrs. Banahene Sarkodie, and Ken Ohene Sam, and particularly you, Madam Chairperson, for initiating the move. Madam Chairperson, a crusade was organized by the Chaplaincy Committee to seek God�s intervention for the School especially in the wake of the frightening situations