Achimota School

Achimota School
Ut Omnes Unum Sint That all may be one
Location
Achimota - "Outlaws Hill" Accra, Ghana, Greater Accra Region, P.O. Box AH 11, +233 Ghana
Coordinates	05°37′38″N 00°12′49″W / 5.62722°N 0.21361°W / 5.62722; -0.21361
Information
School type	Govt. funded, Co-educational Boarding/ Residential
Religious affiliation(s)	Non-denominational Christian
Founded	1927
Opened	1927
Founder	Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg, Dr. James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey, Rev. Alexander Garden Fraser.
Status	Active
School board	Board of Governors
School district	Accra Metropolitan
Oversight	Ghana Education Service
Authorizer	Ministry of Education
Chairperson	Dr. Henrietta Asare, Chairperson of the Board of Governors
Headteacher	Mrs. Beatrice Adom
Staff	82 teachers, 137 other staff
Grades	Forms 1-3 (10th - 12th grades)
Gender	Co-ed (Boys/Girls)
Age range	14 to 18 years
Number of students	c. 1500
Education system	Senior High School
Language	English
Campus	Achimota School
Campus size	1300 acres (Two sq. miles)
Campus type	Residential Garden-style Setting
Houses	14
School Colour(s)	Black and White
Song	"From Gambaga to Accra!"
Fight song	"Glorious Kuzuinik"
Nickname	Motown
Endowment	Achimota School Endowment Trust
Budget	Approx. $1.0 million annually
Revenue	40% government revenue; 40% boarding, maintenance & other fees; 20% other income, endowments, grants & donations
Alumni	Old Achimotan Association (O.A.A) (members are called "Akoras")
Address	P. O. Box AH 11, Achimota, Accra, Ghana
Website	http://www.achimota.edu.gh/

Achimota School (formerly Prince of Wales College and School, Achimota, now nicknamed Motown), is an elite and highly selective co-educational secondary school located at Achimota in Accra, Ghana. It was established and commenced operations in 1924 and formally opened in 1927 by Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg -- then governor of the Gold Coast. The school was founded by Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg, Dr. James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey and Rev. Alexander (Alec) Garden Fraser.

The school has educated many African leaders, including Kwame Nkrumah, Edward Akufo-Addo, Jerry John Rawlings, all of whom are former Heads of State of Ghana. The current President of Ghana, John Evans Atta Mills, is also a product of Achimota School. Former Prime Minister Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia taught at Achimota. Also included in its list of African Heads of State are Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, and Sir Dawda Jawara, first Head of State of The Gambia. An alumnus/alumna of Achimota is known as an "AKORA".

The motto of the school is "Ut Omnes Unum Sint" meaning "That All May Be One", a reference to the abiding philosophy of the Founders that, starting in the context of school life, black and white, male and female, should integrate and combine synergistically for the good of all. This is also graphically represented by the symbolised black and white piano keys emblem of the school.

Having girls learning side-by-side with boys in the 1920s was a brazen idea. But all three idealistic founders had strong reformist tendencies, and they were determined to create a school that would be a model for all of West Africa—a school that would educate Ghanaian boys and girls so well that they would be completely at ease in both traditional culture and western settings. Their vision was to produce a class of intellectually bi-cultural leaders whose training would enable them to act as interpreters and brokers for European and African ideas, fully able to take over their country’s government when the time inevitably came for the British to leave. Ahead of its time, the idea was simultaneously idealistic and radical. It was from this vision of synthesis that the famous piano-key design of the Achimota School crest emerged. Said Aggrey at the time, “You can play a tune of sorts on the black keys only; and you can play a tune of sorts on the white keys only; but for perfect harmony, you must use both the black and the white keys.”^[1]

Historical background

Founders

Rev. Alec. G. Fraser, Founder & First Principal (1924-1935)

Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg, Founder & Governor of the Gold Coast (1919-1927)

Inauguration of Achimota School,1927 Inauguration of Achimota School, 28 January 1927 Construction of Eastern Dining Hall in 1924

"Though set upon a desert hill, may living waters rise in thee. And from thy children wider flow, the rivers of eternity" —quote from school hymn

Achimota School occupies over two square miles of prime real estate in the middle of the Achimota forest reserve in the Accra Metropolitan Area. The school's colonial architecture and well-planned landscape make it visually pleasing to tour the campus and its wooded countryside-like surroundings. The campus facilities comprise a library, a cadet square, two chapels, one of which is the famous Aggrey Memorial Chapel; three dining halls, two gymnasia, the Achimota School Post Office, very extensive sports playing fields, a swimming pool,^[2] a cricket oval, basketball court, tennis and squash courts, and an arboretum. There are several bungalows on campus for all teaching staff members.

A description of Achimota School at its inception is provided below:

"Achimota College, in the Gold Coast seven miles inland from Accra is West Africa's great co-educational boarding school, where 600 West African boys and girls receive as complete an education as European or American children. It is a secondary school, teacher's training college and university rolled into one, and in planning, design and equipment it bears comparison with any educational institution anywhere. Its erection in 1925 cost £660,000 and its maintenance costs are £50,000 annually. It possesses a swimming pool, extensive playing fields, a nature reserve, a demonstration farm and a model village for the college employees. It also has its own hospital, museum, library and printing press. The students live in residential blocks spaced round the grounds, each holding 60 students and divided into 4 dormitories."^[3]

Located close to the school's central campus are the Achimota Golf Course,^[4] the Achimota School Police Station, a staff village for the School's non-teaching employees, a forest reserve, a large farm, and the 45-bed Achimota Hospital that serves the School's students, employees and their families, as well as the community surrounding the campus.

The learning environment

Resuming in 2002, lessons in aspects of Ghanaian culture such as drumming, dancing, and woodcarving were revamped in an effort to incorporate more of the national culture into the curriculum. Apart from the academic and intellectual development of its students, the School lays a strong emphasis on practical training skills as well as character training. The school runs on a three-term academic calendar from mid-September to late June.

There are two departments, two designated Schools, and a Home Science Unit responsible for the teaching of the subjects offered.^[5] The schools and departments are:

• The Science & Mathematics Department is responsible for the study of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agriculture and Computer Science.

• The Arts Department with responsibility for the study of the Arts; English Language, Literature in English, French, Government, History, Economics, Geography, Christian Religious Studies, and Social Studies.

• The Music School with specific responsibility for the study of Music, training of the Aggrey Chapel Choir and organising music festivals

• The Art School with specific responsibility for the study of Visual Arts

• The Home Science Department with the responsibility of study of Home Economics, Catering, Nutrition, Management in Living, Housekeeping, Book keeping and Apparel Design

The School currently offers programmes of study of three-year/nine-term duration, leading to the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (W.A.S.S.C.E.) in any of the following courses

• General Science
• Agricultural Science
• General Arts
• Visual Arts
• Home Economics

In addition to three or four elective subjects taken by every student in one programme of study, each student is required to take the four Core Subjects in Core/General Mathematics, English Language, Integrated Science and Social Studies. In all, each student takes seven or eight subjects (depending on the programme) during each term of their three-year secondary school career leading to sitting of the regional examination, W.A.S.S.C.E. administered by the West African Examinations Council (W.A.E.C.) in May of their final year.

Also, in their first two years, students are required to take Physical Education and Religious and Moral Education every term, taught by the Sports and Chaplaincy departments respectively.

The student body

Current total student enrollment at Achimota School is approximately 1,500. The school is a co-educational boarding school, typical of many second-cycle institutions in Ghana. Its current and 15th principal is Akora Mrs. Beatrice Adom, Class of '75.

Boarding houses

There are 14 single-sex houses of residence on either the East or West campus. Each house has two housemasters, a house prefect, and monitors who see to the daily administration of the house. There are also Senior Housemasters and Housemistresses for the Eastern and Western compounds who serve as the overall residential life coordinators.

Female houses

• McCarthy (E) (scarlet) is named after Sir Charles McCarthy, a former governor of various British territories in West Africa. This house has undergone three metamorphoses. It was originally an engineering school that was converted to a male residence hall until the late 1990s when it was converted to a female hall of residence.

• Kingsley (E) (yellow), named after the English explorer Mary Kingsley

• Clark (E) (blue), named after missionary Mary Clark

• Slessor (E) (dark crimson), named after the Scottish missionary Mary Slessor

• S.O.A. (W) (green) formerly House 11, now named after Susanna Ofori-Atta", the first female Ghanaian doctor, sister of the first boys school prefect, William Ofori Atta, and daughter of Nana Sir Ofori-Atta, former Okyenhene or Omanhene of Akyem Abuakwa State.

• Annie Baeta Jiagge (W) (red and white) (formerly House 17), named after the first female justice of the Appeal Court of Ghana

• O.A.A. (W) (mauve), "Old Achimotan Association" house which was recently created out of the former Robert Stopford House

Male houses

• Aggrey (E) (red), named after one of the founding fathers, Dr. James Aggrey

• Livingstone (E) (yellow) after the famous explorer David Livingstone

• Lugard (E) (sea blue), named after Lord Lugard

• Gyamfi (E) (green), named after a former student, Gyamfi, a member of the Asante royal family who passed away during his student days.

• Cadbury (E) (dark crimson), named after the chocolate company: Cadbury and Fry

• Guggisberg (E) (navy blue), named after the then governor of the Gold Coast and co-founding father, Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg

• Fraser (W) (green and white), originally known as House 12, and named after the first Principal, Rev. Alexander Gordon Fraser.

"E" indicates that the house in located on the Eastern compound while "W" stands for Western compound.

Achimota School Capital Campaign and Ongoing Needs

The Capital Campaign has now concluded; however, you may visit the Achimota School Capital Campaign website ^[6] to learn more about the School's ongoing needs.

You should also visit the OAA website to learn more about the School's ongoing needs and for updates on projects and the response to the sanitation crisis.

Traditions

Achimota School,Staff & Students (1962)

Orientation Week

When new form one (freshmen) students, also known as "Ninoes", arrive in September, the house prefects lead them to their first supper in the dining hall amid cheers, jeers and catcalls from continuing students (juniors and seniors) often due to the confused faces of the new freshmen. Throughout the first week, form one students have several orientation sessions to learn school traditions, school hymn and songs, and the general history of the institution. After the first week, the freshmen can proudly sing the school hymn, "Grey City of the Outlaws Hills", school song, "From Gambaga to Accra" as well as others songs such as "Achimota Mother Ours."

Ninoes' Night

This event is held on the first Saturday night of the first term during which the new students or "Ninoes" of each boarding house come out with various performances of theatre, music and talent. From the day when new students arrive, they are tutored by their seniors in preparation for their first competitive event for the house. They are also made to practice regularly in an effort to win their first honours for their house. A panel of judges announces the winning house after the show.

Sponsored Walk and Mo’fiesta

OAA Secretariat & Clubhouse

This annual October walk is organised by the Old Achimotan Association (O.A.A) to raise funds for school projects. The highest fund raising house receives a prize afterward. In the afternoon, the school’s Students’ Representative Council (S.R.C) organises a fun fair and talent show known as Mo’fiesta (an abbreviation for Motown Fiesta). Other secondary schools are usually invited.

Speech and Prize-Giving Day

An annual ceremony held in mid-November by the school administration in conjunction with the year group celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary or silver jubilee of leaving Achimota School. The Guest-Speaker for the occasion is always from the celebrating year group of that year. The function is always attended by high profile members of society including government leaders, traditional rulers and diplomats. High-achieving students in academics, sports and leadership are presented with endowed awards, books and cash prizes, plaques and certificates.

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

A View of Guggisberg Avenue at night

This festival is held yearly on a warm breezy mid-December night just before the Christmas holidays. The traditional Christmas verses from the scriptures are read out by school administrators, school prefects, alumni executives and other personalities. Music is provided by the renowned Aggrey Memorial Chapel Choir. The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is fashioned on the original format from Kings College, Cambridge.

Torchlight Procession and Bonfire Night

This event is held on the eve of Founders' Day in March. Students and alumni light up their pitch-soaked torches at the forecourt of the Administration Block after which there is a procession (accompanied by a brass band) around the school oval. The procession ends at the premises of the Old Achimotan Association clubhouse. A huge bonfire is made with all the flaming torches and then the much-awaited barbecue starts.

Founders’ Day Weekend

70th Anniversary Founders' Day Cadet Parade, Cadet Square, 1997

75th Anniversary Founders' Day Cadet Parade, Cadet Square, 2002

The first weekend of every March is very busy with the Founders’ Day celebrations to honour the selflessness of the three founding fathers: Aggrey, Fraser and Guggisberg. There is always a parade by the Achimota School Cadet Corps, first of its kind in Ghanaian second-cycle institutions. Over the years the Corps have produced cadets who have gone on, after completing their education, to join the Army, Air Force and Navy, serving their country with distinction. The Corps is supported by the Ghana Army, with the Recce (Reconnaissance) Regiment as its mother unit.^[5] The school cadet was established in 1955 under the supervision of Ghana Armed Forces during the independence era.^[7] The Headmistress/Principal inspects the guard of honour. The Ghana Armed Forces Military Band plays wonderful tunes as young cadet corps march.

48th Founders' Day Celebration Poster,1975

Achimota School Cadet Corps

There is always a standing ovation of appreciation during the march. On Saturday afternoon, there is the actual Founders' Day ceremony where each ethnic or cultural group displays its rich heritage through a medley of traditional dances and music. There are the Girls’ and Boys’ Choruses that sing praise songs in appreciation of the Founders.

80th Anniversary Founders' Day Celebrations, 2007

The ceremony ends with the Achimota School Yell by students and alumni. Also, the year group celebrating its golden jubilee anniversary of leaving Achimota formally presents its grand development project for the school. Some projects in the past have included refurbishing the school’s tower clock known as the Big Ben (nicknamed after that of the great bell of the Palace of Westminster, London), expansion of cold rooms in the dining halls, Internet networking of buildings and water projects and restoration of the Art School. A Thanksgiving Service is held on the following Sunday at the Aggrey Memorial Chapel to round off the Founders' Day weekend's activities.

Inter-house Sports Competitions

Throughout the year, the 14 boarding houses engage in the healthy rivalry and friendship of many sports. During the first term, handball, volleyball, football (soccer), basketball, hockey and table tennis competitions are held. Each year a Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year is selected and awarded a prize based on all round excellence in sport.

Aggrey Memorial Chapel Choir 1969

The names of prize winners over the decades, up to date, have been recorded permanently on a board displayed to public view inside the entrance to the School's Administration Block.^[5]

The biggest event of the year is the Inter-house Athletics held in February. There are several track and field events, and it is the time when a student athlete can become a hero by breaking a school record. In the third term, the other big event, the Inter- house Eight-Aside Cricket Competition is held. Being the only school in Ghana with a cricket oval, the field attracts the National Cricket Team as well as members of the expatriate community from Commonwealth cricket-playing countries such as India, Pakistan and Jamaica.

S.R.C. Awards Night

Aggrey Memorial Chapel Choir, Leavers' Service 2005

This event is usually held in late April by the outgoing executive of the Student Representative Council to award seniors who have excelled in the areas of personality, leadership and participation in extracurricular activities on the basis of nominations by the entire student body. There is also a special award for Student's Favourite Teacher. As a formal event, there are musical performances and renditions in-between awards and the attire is also formal.

Leavers' Service and O.A.A. Induction

Undoubtedly the most emotional service of the year. This is a dedication farewell service held on a Sunday in early May just before the start of the senior school leaving certificate examination. The leavers or outgoing seniors are dedicated to God as they move into the outside world to start higher education. Perhaps, the highlight of the service is when "Achimota Mother Ours" is sung and the last stanza (see below) moves the graduating year group to tears. After the service, they are inducted into the alumni network of the Old Achimotan Association and officially become Akoras. This induction ceremony is done at the O.A.A. Clubhouse, and family and alumni are invited to share in the joyous occasion. The new year group then selects its executive members.

School Hymn and Songs

Principals and Heads of Achimota School

Enstoolment of then Headmaster, Alan P. Rudwick as Honorary Chief of Achimota School during Founders' Day celebrations in the early 1970s

^[9][10]

Ties to Similar Schools

Aggrey Memorial Chapel

Achimota - Kings College Sports Competition, 1969

• Trinity College, Kandy, Ceylon now Sri Lanka (founded 1872): One of the founding fathers, Rev. Alexander G. Fraser (headmaster) was principal of Trinity College, Kandy from 1904-1924. He was the first principal of Achimota from 1924-1935. Also, Rev. Robert Stopford who headed Trinity College, Kandy from 1935–1941, was principal of Achimota from 1941-1945. The famous Aggrey Memorial Chapel, venue for morning assembly, weekly Sunday services and other important events, was modelled on the open-style architecture of Trinity College Chapel, Kandy. Aggrey Chapel ranks among one of the most popular places in Accra to hold weddings.^[11]

• King's College, Lagos, Nigeria (founded 1909): Achimota and King's College had Inter-College Athletic Competitions during the 1960s and early 1970s.^[12] In 2008, Achimota School played host to King's College, Lagos in a four day exchange programme from Thursday, 29 May 2008 to Sunday, 1 June 2008. Activities lined up for the programme were hockey, cricket and football (soccer), with a dinner to round the competition off. The games were played at Achimota School's main playing fields. As King's College, Lagos celebrated its Centenary in 2009, Achimota School was invited for a second Achimota School - Kings College Games Conference as part of the anniversary celebrations.^[13]

Trivia

School mascot, "Kuzunik"

"The Achimotan", June, 1971 edition

• Academic Competitions: Achimota School has won the National Science and Math Quiz competition twice (1998 and 2004).Achimota School emerged second in the 2009 edition of the National Science and Math quiz.

• Chaplaincy: Achimota School has four chaplains from the Anglican, Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian denominations. Apart from chaplaincy duties, the reverend ministers serve as guidance counsellors, provide spiritual/pastoral care, and are also in charge of teaching Moral and Religious Education (M.R.E) to students. In recognition of the diversity of students' backgrounds, a Muslim service is also organized weekly to cater to the religious needs of the school's Muslim population.

• Clubs and Organisations: There is a variety of clubs and societies on campus including several singing groups, Interact Club, Ghana United Nations Student Association (GUNSA), Scripture Union (SU), Leadership International (LI), Current Affairs Club, Literary and Debaters' Society, Science Club, Scholarship and Talent Club and a host of others.

• Mascot: The School's mascot is a mythical creature called "Kuzunik" and is represented by a gargoyle-like wooden sculpture that was carved by Kofi Antobam, while he was teaching there. In prior years, there was a tradition known as "Kuzunik's Night". The present location of the Kuzunik is atop a shelf by the east wall of the school library. ^[12]
  

  

  "The Motowner", March, 2002 edition

• Publications: Achimota School has two student magazines, "The Achimotan" and the more recent one "The Motowner" both published periodically. Two newsletters also exist on campus: The Blueprint (Originally a publication of Guggisberg House)and The Motown Express.^[8]

• P.T.A: Achimota School has a Parent-Teacher Association (P.T.A) that was formed during the era of Mr. A. P. Rudwick, Headmaster (1965–1977)^[14] The body meets each term to discuss issues pertaining to students' welfare and school development.

• Ranking: Achimota School ranks among one of Africa's Top 100 High Schools^[15] according to a 2003 list compiled by Africa Almanac.

• Politics: During the 1st Parliament of the 2nd Republic of Ghana, 126 out of the 140 parliamentarians (representing 90%) were Alumni (Akoras) of Achimota School. Akoras are still actively involved in Ghana's political system serving in all branches of government—the Executive branch, Legislative branch (Parliament), and Judiciary.

• Prefectorial System: Students who display high academic credentials and leadership skills are selected to be "prefects" or leaders. Apart from the School Prefects, there are prefects in charge of the Assembly Hall, Dining Hall, Chapel, Compound, Classrooms, Residential Houses, and dormitories etc. In the eastern and western dining halls, these prefects sit and eat at the "high table", from whence a prefect on duty also delivers announcements after meals.

• Triangular Games: In the 1960s and 1970s, Achimota was a member of this three-school athletic conference which included Mfantsipim (established 1876) and Wesley Girls High School (established 1836) both of Cape Coast, Ghana.

• University Leadership: Achimota has also produced a total of about ten vice-chancellors at Ghana's two leading public research universities, University of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST.^[14]

• Worship: Achimota School has its own hymn book, the Achimota School Hymnal (ASH) used at school church services and functions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scWPq3fcPx4&feature=geosearch

Old Achimotan Association (O.A.A)

The Old Achimotan Association ("OAA") is the umbrella alumni organization for past students of Achimota School, Ghana. The OAA authorizes the formation of Regional, Branch and Year Groups to carry out its objectives. Members of the OAA are known as "Akoras".

• History: The OAA was started in 1929 by the first Principal of the then Prince of Wales College, Rev. Alec G. Fraser. Sandy Fraser, son of Rev. Fraser, then a member of Achimota School’s staff, was the first Organizing Secretary of the OAA. Sandy spent his vacations touring the towns and villages where Old Achimotans were working in order to explain the aims and objectives of the OAA. The OAA’s first Annual General Meeting was held at the School on December 23, 1930, and then once a year thereafter. The participants spent three or four days on the School’s campus.

• Constitution: The OAA is governed by a constitution, whose principal objective is "the formation of a bond of union between Old Achimotans and the School to promote the maintenance of their interest in the School and their willingness to assist in its welfare, and to promote the ideals for which Achimota was founded".

• National Executive Committee: The OAA's affairs and funds are managed by a National Executive Committee. The Committee consists of three officers of the Association, two ex-officio officers, the immediate past President of the Association and eight other members. The National Executive Committee is elected biennially at an Annual General Meeting. The OAA Alumni Office assists the National Executive Committee in its work.^[16]

Notable Achimotans

Please see the List of Notable Achimotans for a detailed list of Old Achimotans (Akoras) and Renowned Former Teachers.

References

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