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

that the School was going through when we lost four members of the kitchen staff – Ms. Cecilia Essel, Ms. Elizabeth Aku Otoo, Ms Grace Buabeng, and Ms. Victoria Ofori within a short period. The crusade was well patronized by both staff and students. In attendance were some Pastors and representatives of the Light House Chapel International. We intend to repeat the event this term, and hopefully, Bishop Dag Heward Mills himself would be present. Madam Chairperson, ladies and gentlemen, we are grateful to all individuals, civil and corporate institutions, and associations who have made some donations to the School over the period. We wish we could mention everybody here but for want of time, we will mention only a few of them. The ’81 Year-Group has adopted the School Infirmary and will be responsible for its refurbishment and upkeep.

The School took delivery of two sets of hockey goalkeeper’s outfit and assorted first-aid materials from the USA branch of MOGA Rotary Club International, through the Tema Chapter of MOGA, has donated over five hundred books for the School Library and Prizes this year’s awards. Aki Ola Publications has presented A Home-theatre to the Staff-Room five million cedis cash to support the Speech Day activities, and one million cedis towards sponsoring a brilliant but needy student in the School. Mr. Djabatey Narh, Executive Director of Ice Cool Mineral Water donated chilled sachet and bottled water for use during this celebration.

We greatly appreciate and are indeed thankful for all the support. We look forward to receiving even more support in the coming years. Madam Chairperson, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the School is in urgent need of assistance to cope with the many challenges she faces. Prominent among them are:

  • provision of a generator to assist students at evening studies whenever there is blackout,

  • bore-holes to augment the water supply situation that has not improved due to the road rehabilitation work going on presently around this area;

  • early completion of the assembly hall complex (which has come to a stand-still) - this needs to be revived to improve discipline and supervision at large gatherings;

  • expansion of the Dining Hall to take the entire student population comfortably at a sitting;

  • provision of more accommodation for staff, additional blocks to decongest the crowded classrooms, and
  • Expansion of the Administration block,
  • Last, but not the least, the construction of the Yamoransa-Kasoa highway has destroyed the vegetation and barbed wires which used to protect the School from intrusion by humans and foraging animals, thus greatly exposing the School to security-related hazards.
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We regret to announce the transition of Mr. Richard F. Abban, Head of Business Department. Mr. Abban passed away on Saturday January 20, 2007 after a protracted illness. Burial, final funeral rites and thanksgiving service will be held on Saturday and Sunday 31st March and 1st April respectively at Saltpond. We invite you to mourn with us over our departed member of staff. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in perfect peace.

Madam Chairman, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in about three days from now, Ghana, our beloved nation will be fifty years old; the School will also be forty-seven years old in September this year. The choice of the theme for our 44th Speech & Prize-Giving Day Celebration: “OUR VALUES: LEGACY FOR OUR YOUTH, OUR FUTURE” is informed by the rate at which moral decadence, lack of respect for the elderly by the young, apathy towards one another as well as national issues, degrading maintenance culture, lack of care for ourselves, national property, and the environment, etc. are engulfing the nation. The missing link here is the seemingly total neglect of our values. Our value systems are under serious attack

On this our festive occasion which also happens to be our nation’s jubilee year, let us pause for a moment and reflect deeply on our omissions and commissions that contributed to the degeneration of our individual and national character.

Madam Chairperson, this is the “task” our esteemed Guest Speaker would help us to unravel and I have no doubt in my mind that he will be equal to the task. Madam Chairperson, Nananom, Distinguished Guests, Parents, my beloved Old Girls, Staff and Students, once again you are welcome and thank you for your patience.

News.