Basic school celebrates maiden graduation ceremony after 35 years of existence
The Oil Palm Research Institute (OPRI) Basic School at Akyem Kusi near Kade has held its maiden graduation ceremony at Kusi after 35 years of existence.
The Director of OPRI, an instutiton under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Isaac Danso, said the school’s consistent 100 per cent performance in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) was a clear indication that the staff and stakeholders were effectively fulfilling their responsibilities and were truly competent in their roles.
He, therefore, took the opportunity to pay tribute to the foundation teachers, namely Florence Johnson, Faustina Appiah and Beatrice Kumiwaa, who sowed the seeds whose fruits are now being reaped.
He was also grateful to Dr Wonkyi Appiah, a former director of OPRI, whose vision and dedication established the institution's foundation, emphasising that his efforts were based on faith, compassion and the belief that education is a powerful instrument for societal transformation.
He appealed to the stakeholders and partners to continue to support the noble cause by investing in quality education that nurtured not only minds, but also hearts and hands.
The director urged learners to stay focused, remain humble, and never give up on their aspirations, as their success reflected their efforts and the collective support of their teachers, parents and guardians.
The Administrator of the CSIR, Genevieve Yankey, launched the school’s feeding programme to provide hot meals for the pupils, aiming to motivate them to stay in school and study hard.
She announced that the CSIR would soon establish four basic schools in different locations in Accra.
The DCE, Omar Ahmed, stated that the Denkyembour District Assembly had allocated 10 per cent of its common fund to support schools within the district and made an undisclosed cash donation to the school.
The Gyaasehene of Kusi, Nana Okoda Darko, advised parents to invest substantially towards their children’s education to become responsible future leaders to cater for them in their old age and contribute their quota towards national development.
He made a personal donation of GH¢1,000 to the school.
In her report, the school's Headmistress, Sylvia Seidu Kanko, announced that the school, established on January 9, 1990, with 52 pupils and three staff, currently had a population of 374 and 15 staff.
She said the institution placed third out of 65 basic schools in the Denkyembour District in last year’s BECE.
Ms Seidu proudly noted that a former pupil of the school, who is currently studying engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) after finishing the Kade Senior High School, Master Henchel Tabi Frempong, was recognised as the second best student in the 2024 WASSCE by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
She appealed to the government and other stakeholders to help improve the school’s infrastructure, the staff common room and classrooms to make the teachers and pupils happy.
The Mmrantehene of Akyem Takrowase, Nana Oduro Owusu, who chaired the function, donated GH¢5,000 to the school and pledged to provide the institution with a mower and a wall clock.
