Prof. Ernest Aryeetey (2nd from right), Chairman of the Governing Board of Achimota School, and Ebenezer Graham Acquaah (3rd from right), Headmaster of Achimota School, receiving the donation from Dr Kwame Ampofo (3rd from left), President of the 1975 year group, and Dr Barbara Easmon (2nd from left), President of the 1985 year group. Picture: CALEB VANDERPUYE

Achimota School receives GH¢1.5m in lab equipment from old students

Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Mar - 07 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read

Two year groups of the Achimota Senior High School have donated science laboratory equipment to their Alma Mater.

Worth about GH¢1.5 million, the equipment includes a human anatomical model which illustrates human organs and body structures for biology studies; glass flasks and beakers; surveyor's level on a tripod, and a digital weighing scale, among others.

The initiative by the 1975 and the 1985 year groups seeks to enhance the quality of science education as it will significantly enhance practical learning, foster innovation, critical thinking, and hands-on experience among current and future students.

In addition, the groups also allocated to the school, an undisclosed sum for the purchase of laboratory supplies such as reagents and chemicals for research to create a sustainable approach to the teaching and learning of science.

The donation, which coincided with the school’s 98th Founder's Day commemoration, forms part of the 50th and 40th anniversary celebrations of the year groups as a collective legacy project.

Significance

The presidents of the year groups, Dr Kwame Ampofo (1975) and Dr Barbara Easmon (1985), said the year groups sought to enhance the quality of science education by providing current and future students with better learning opportunities, exposing them to modern technology, and giving them a competitive edge in scientific research.

“The school currently has about 1,000 students offering science and because we don't have enough labs to accommodate them, they take turns in having their practicals.

We don't think it's appropriate.

They're not having enough lab time. So, we are hoping that with these equipment, more labs will be opened for them to have more lab time,” they said.

In that vein, the presidents said the old students hoped to nurture a new generation of scientists who would not only impact the school, but the country, the continent and the world positively.

They again explained that the donation was a way of showing gratitude to the institution that had not only nurtured them but also played a crucial part in their personal and professional development.

Collaboration

The National President of the Old Achimotans Association (OAA), Joel Edmund Nettey, commended the collaborative spirit of the two year groups and appealed to all old students and year groups to work with the association, the school board and management to determine the projects that were most critical for the school.

He said even though it was the policy for each year group to embark on a legacy project, it would be a lot better if various groups partnered to deliver more sustainable projects.

“The capital projects that the school needs to make a significant change may not be sustainable if only a year group tries to do it”.

“So, it’s okay for a group to start and it’s okay for several others to finish so that together we can give Achimota School the kind of infrastructure that it needs,” Mr Nettey added.