The 1986 Year Group of Achimota School has restored and refurbished the school’s 90-year-old Aggrey Chapel to improve worship conditions and preserve the historic facility for future generations.
The project, undertaken as part of the year group’s 40th anniversary celebrations, included rewiring, installation of a modern sound system and fans, restoration of the pews, provision of new altar cloths and repainting of the chapel inside and outside.
Handing over
At a ceremony to hand over the restored chapel to the school, the Headmaster of Achimota School, Ebenezer Acquah, described the project as “a thanksgiving and a restoration”.
The refurbished Achimota Aggrey Chapel Picture: CALEB VANDERPUYE
He said the chapel had been “the spiritual heartbeat of this school” for 90 years, providing a place where generations of students had worshipped, been baptised and confirmed, and prepared for life.
Mr Acquah said time and weather had taken a toll on the facility, with some of the pews becoming rotten, the sound system deteriorating and the paint fading.
“We worshipped in faith, but in discomfort,” he said, commending the 1986 Year Group for restoring the chapel while preserving its heritage.
Worshipping condition
The President of the 1986 Year Group, Akora Ambassador Sena Siaw-Boateng, said the project was driven by a commitment to improve worship conditions and enhance the spiritual life of students.
She said the group’s work was guided by its theme, “We are stronger together”, and added that the members were grateful for the opportunity to give back to the school.
Akora Siaw-Boateng urged the school to take ownership of the restored facility and ensure that it was properly maintained.
“It is our hope that the school will own this place as it has always done, but with renewed ownership,” she said.
Maintenance person
She proposed that a dedicated maintenance person be assigned to the chapel, noting that the facility was used regularly and would therefore require consistent care.
The year group also provided a disability access ramp for the chapel and extended the initiative to the Old Assembly Hall after a request from the Old Achimotan Association (OAA).
The OAA President, Joel Nettey, commended the 1986 Year Group, describing the project as one that “draws on the heartstrings of Achimotans”.
He said the restoration was significant because Achimota was not only important to former students but had become part of the country’s heritage.
“Achimota has and always will be Achimota and national,” Prof. Nettey said.
The Board Chair, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, also thanked the year group for their contributions towards the school.
The Aggrey Chapel was named after Dr Kwegyir Aggrey, co-founder of Achimota School, and has remained an important part of the school’s spiritual and institutional heritage.
