Ghana Alma Mater Season 3 launched

The third season of the Ghana Alma Mater Programme (GAMP) has been launched with a call on old students to give back to their schools to complement the government’s investment in education.

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, who made the call, said “the success of any school extends beyond the classroom. We can only make an impact when we have the passion to give back”.

The event, which also marked the second National Honours Day, took place last Thursday on the theme: “Reimagining Stakeholder Roles in Education: Unleashing the Potential of Alumni.”

Mr Iddrisu, who was represented by the Director and Technical Advisor to the minister on Pre-Tertiary Education, Stephen Kwaku Owusu, said the programme had proven to be a valuable platform that mobilised alumni to contribute directly to the development of their schools.

He said education provided the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for national development, and called on alumni to serve as mentors, supporters and advocates for their former schools.

He affirmed the ministry’s commitment to partnerships that promote innovation, mentorship and resource mobilisation for schools.

Programme

The National Coordinator of GAMP, Togbe Dzidoah, said the Ghana Alma Mater Programme was a national school support activity that competitively mobilised the financial contributions of old students toward the development of their alma mater.

He said since its inception in 2013, the programme had grown significantly, with over 720 schools now registered and 11 regions participating in the 2024 season, compared to five in its first year.

Commendation

Representing the Mayor of Accra, the Metro Director of Public Health at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Florence Kuukyi, commended the organisers for choosing Accra as host of the event.

She said the programme was a visionary initiative that rekindled “a spirit of belonging, pride and responsibility,” among alumni and strengthened collaboration between the government, schools and communities.

The Paramount Chief of the Wli Traditional Area, who served as the Chairperson for the occasion, Togbega Lo I, also urged former students to actively participate in their schools' development.

During the ceremony, outstanding old student associations were recognised for their exceptional contributions in the 2024 season.

The Kpando Technical Institute Old Students Association (KPANTOSA) emerged as the overall national champion and alma mater school of the year, having won the Category ‘A’ best supported school award.

The New Edubiase Students Association also received recognition under Category ‘B’, while the Kinbu Senior High School Old Students won the third place for category ‘C’ schools.