The Headmaster of T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School (GREAT AMASS) in the Savannah Region has appealed for urgent investment in infrastructure and information and communication technology to reposition the 55-year-old institution as a competitive centre of excellence.
Launching the school’s 55th anniversary celebration in Salaga, Mr Issahaku Awalu Jahanfo described the milestone as “not just a celebration, but a call to action.”
He said that although the school was striving for excellence, it faced significant challenges, including inadequate classroom blocks, limited science and ICT facilities, overcrowded dormitories, insufficient staff accommodation, and the absence of a pick-up vehicle and a large-capacity bus.
“These gaps threaten our vision of becoming a disciplined, technologically driven, and academically competitive institution,” he stressed.
Mr Jahanfo said bold investment in infrastructure, enhanced ICT integration, strengthened science education and an improved learning environment were critical to safeguarding the school’s future. He appealed to alumni, corporate organisations, development partners, government and well-wishers to support the school’s transformation agenda.
Established in 1971 at the request of the traditional authorities of the Kpembe Traditional Area to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, the school began with 44 male students. It currently has a population of 1,624 students, supported by 81 teaching and 36 non-teaching staff.
Though initially managed privately by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, the school was absorbed into the public education system in 1990.
Despite infrastructure constraints, Mr Jahanfo noted that academic performance had shown steady improvement, with the school recording an average of 51 per cent quality passes in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination between 2022 and 2024.
The anniversary is being observed under the theme “55 Years of Moral and Academic Excellence: The New Vision, The New Brand.” Planned projects include the rehabilitation of the Agric Science Department pavilion classrooms and the conversion of the old kitchen into a modern Visual Arts Department to broaden programme offerings.
“The strength of a school lies in the unity, commitment and shared vision of its people,” he said.
The Member of Parliament for Salaga South, Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah, described the anniversary as a moment for reflection, gratitude and renewed commitment to educational development.
She expressed concern about the longstanding electricity instability in Salaga and the wider East Gonja Municipality, noting that students had endured years of unreliable power supply.
“For years, our students have studied under unstable electricity conditions, yet they sit for the same examinations as their counterparts in Achimota and Mfantsipim who enjoy uninterrupted power. This is not fair,” she stated.
She stressed that reliable electricity was indispensable to quality education, particularly at a time when ICT and science determine academic competitiveness.
“Our children deserve equal opportunities to compete, excel and succeed, regardless of where they live,” she added.
The MP disclosed that her office was working with the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition to secure a lasting solution, adding that contractual processes were underway for the construction of a substation to address persistent outages.
Beyond the power challenge, she reaffirmed her commitment to improving infrastructure at T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School and across the constituency. She said her office was facilitating the rehabilitation of the school’s ICT and science laboratories to meet required standards, and that the contractor handling the school’s dining hall project had returned to site following engagement with the Ministry of Education.
Hajia Zuwera further indicated that plans were underway for the construction of a housemistress’s bungalow and a new dormitory block to ease accommodation pressures.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
