VRA TO STILL RUN AKOSOMBO INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (PAGE 20)

THE Chief Executive of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Owura Kwaku Sarfo, has given the assurance that although his outfit had been asked to concentrate on its core business, the provision of energy, it would still maintain Akosombo International School, which is being run by the authority.
He said that had become necessary due to the excellent academic performance of its students. He said the restructuring exercise would therefore not affect the school.
The school complex made up of junior high and senior high streams with a magnificent infrastructure, is academically one of the best performing schools in the country, with almost all its final-year students entering tertiary educational institutions each year.
Owura Sarfo gave the assurance at the 36th speech and prize-giving day of the school at Akosombo at the weekend.
The well-attended event brought together old students, parents and dignitaries such as Mr Appiah Menka, a business tycoon, and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asuogyaman, Mr Kofi Osei Ameyaw.
A number of students who distinguished themselves in both academic and non-academic areas were honoured. Also honoured were some tutors who had been teaching in the school for periods ranging from 10 to 25 years as well as others who played significant roles in the academic achievements of the students in the WASSCE.
Owura Sarfo said VRA by mandate was to provide energy for the country and had therefore been asked to pay particular attention to that aspect of operations.
“Of late, there have been a lot of discussions, especially among the VRA staff on the role the VRA schools would play as VRA moves on; but let me state categorically that notwithstanding whatever restructuring VRA goes through, we would ensure the survival and quality of service of the school in whatever form it takes, something we will not compromise on”, he stated.
He stressed that the VRA as the sole owner and shareholder in the school, was wholly committed to the success of the institution.
“As the chief executive, I promise that my team would do everything possible to support the school to turn out young adults who are focused, academically brilliant and socially responsible to take up their appropriate places in society”, Owura Sarfo assured.
He therefore advised the students to make good use of the opportunity offered them and work hard to achieve their ambitions.
In his report, the Headmaster of the senior high school (SHS), Mr John K. Tawiah, said the total enrolment of the school stood at 798 as of April, this year, 286 of which were in junior high school (JHS) and 512 in SHS.
He added that the school’s academic record had been very good over the years, adding that out of the 89 pupils presented for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in 2007, 31 obtained aggregate 6; 10 had aggregate seven; seven of them aggregate eight, 11 scored aggregate nine, while the rest were spread up to aggregate 18.
He said 67 per cent of the candidates obtained distinction. With regard to the WASSCE, Mr Tawiah said last year, the school presented 156 candidates who scored 99.4 per cent passes as against 100 per cent in 2006, adding that the best candidate had A in seven subjects and one B2 as against 5As and 3Bs the previous year.
He stated further that the school recorded one of its finest examination results in the 2007 University of Cambridge GCE ‘O’ Level examination with 91.7 per cent passes as against 78.4 per cent in 2006.
Mr Tawiah added that out of the 24 candidates presented for the examination, 22 of them passed in all the subjects.
The Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, Madam Benedicta Naana Biney, stated that school had the responsibility to ensure both academic and character development of students to address anti-social vices such as corruption, dishonesty aggressiveness, drug abuse, gangsterism and armed robbery.
Madam Naana Biney who praised the VRA for its support to the school, advised the students to study hard to achieve their goals.
For his part, Mr Appiah Menkah said since technology was advancing very fast, it was necessary for the people to adapt accordingly.