Aggrey Memorial students sleeping in hallways: Call for urgent infrastructure

STUDENTS of Aggrey Memorial A.M.E. Zion School have raised concerns about the congestion in dormitories and called for urgent infrastructural support.

Reiterating the call, the Girls’ Prefect of the school, Maame Doku Blay, lamented the severe congestion in the boarding facilities, noting that some students had resorted to sleeping in corridors which posed security challenges.

She said the congestion also left the students prone to communicable diseases.

She thus urged authorities to prioritise the construction of additional dormitory blocks and the provision of more boreholes and water storage tanks to address frequent water shortages.  

85th anniversary

At the school’s 85th anniversary last Saturday, the students called for infrastructure, particularly more dormitories to ease the congestion.

The Headmistress of the school, Dorothy Adentwi-Hayford, also called for urgent infrastructural support to address challenges affecting academic and student life at the institution.

The 85th anniversary was on the theme: “Building on 85 Years of Quality Education: The Role of Stakeholders.” 

The event, which brought together government officials, alumni, students and other well-wishers, served as a platform for the school authorities to appeal for critical logistical and infrastructural support to enhance academic activities and students’ welfare.  

She indicated that despite the school's reputation for academic excellence, it faced critical infrastructural needs for the ever-growing student population, which was almost 5,000. 

She expressed concern over the severe congestion in classrooms and dormitories, emphasising that "the school required a 28-unit classroom block to create a more conducive learning environment."

She also underscored the need for additional staff accommodation, pointing out that "a lack of on-campus housing had made it difficult for teachers to effectively supervise students and maintain discipline."

Mrs Adentwi-Hayford also raised concern about the size of the dining hall which she said could only accommodate 1,000 students at a time, leaving many learners with no option but to wait for long hours before accessing meals.  

Beyond infrastructure, she said security remained a major challenge for the school. 

Mrs Adentwi-Hayford said only seven security personnel were available to oversee the entire campus, which included student dormitories, staff quarters, and the main school gate, making it difficult to ensure the safety of both students and staff. 

She appealed for more personnel to strengthen security and protect lives and property.  

Transportation challenge

In addition, she highlighted transportation difficulties, stating that the school urgently needed a 65-seater bus to ease pressure on the existing fleet.

Furthermore, she called for the refurbishment of their library, urging stakeholders to help restock it with modern books and digital learning resources to enhance academic performance.  

Speaking on the school’s academic performance, she admitted that the most recent West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results had fallen below expectation, with only 673 students obtaining grades between A1 and C6. 

She said the school’s management had implemented strategic measures, including extended teaching hours, supervised study periods and model classes, all aimed at improving student outcomes. 

She expressed confidence that those initiatives would help uplift the school from a Grade B to a Grade A institution.  

Anniversary

The event was spearheaded by the 2000 Year Group of the old students' association, who handed over a newly constructed 10-seater washroom facility as a legacy project. Prior to this, the group had also improved the school’s water supply system and upgraded its milling facility.  

Addressing the ceremony, the Central Regional Minister, Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, pledged his support, assuring that his office would collaborate with the school’s leadership to improve infrastructure and operational efficiency. 

He further revealed that discussions were underway to provide the school with a generator, which would help curb the effects of power outages. 

He reiterated the government's commitment to expanding infrastructure in senior high schools and phasing out the double-track system to ensure a smoother academic calendar.  

Adding to the calls for development, an alumnus and an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prof. James K. Aikins, encouraged the students to embrace technology and innovation while upholding the school’s core values of discipline, integrity and leadership. 

He emphasised the need for students to balance modern educational advancements with the school’s longstanding traditions of excellence.  

For his part, the Global President of Aggrey Memorial Old Students Association (AMOSA), Dr Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, urged the students to take good care of the school’s facilities and remain focused on their studies in order to improve academic performance and uphold the institution’s legacy.  

As part of efforts to support the school, the 1985 Year Group donated office equipment worth GH¢100,000, a contribution aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency and improving the school’s operations.  

The anniversary celebration was marked by an impressive march past by the school’s army cadet and an exhibition showcasing the school’s achievements over the decades.