By Alex Ababio and Sam Arthur
Despite the fact that Kumasi Academy Senior High School was recorded in the 1960s to 1980s as the hub and distinguished second cycle institution in science education in Ashanti region, over the years its enviable science laboratory had deteriorated, and was losing its glory fast in recent times.
It is recounted that the old Science Laboratory which was constructed in the 1960s and was once touted as unique, drew students from other institutions including students from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.(KNUST), to use the then modern science laboratory for their studies.
Yet, it couldn’t boast of its glory anymore due to the fact that its unique elements and equipment had self-destructed over time .
The windows were broken and the roofs had leaks in them , causing rain water spills. The science students had no other option than to continue to to use the lab although it was overwhelmed by infrastructural deficit.
The old science laboratory which was established about 62 years ago to accommodate not more than 40 science students was plaqued with deterioration ; broken equipment including fume Chambers, which extract poisonous substance from the lab.
Its lighting systems was poor ,making illumination a hitch for practicals . All the electrical fans were broken causing unbearable heat whiles roofs had leaks causing water spills to destroy a number of charts when it rained.
The two chambers of the lab were overwhelmed by large science students population around over 300, and most of the models and instruments for the lab were destroyed.
Until recently , with over 300 science students coping with this out of date facility was a major challenge to the students in terms of competing with other schools with modern science lab to achieving the expected academic excellence.
In order to change the narratives and bring back its former glory , the Past Students Association of Kumasi Academy had to take unbending decision and invented the will to construct a modern science laboratory befitting the school.
Kumaca Past Students Commissions
Ultra-modern Science Laboratory
The Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Osei Adutwum , the Kumasi Academy Past Students’ Association, Board and School management of Kumasi Academy Senior High school on Saturday,9th July ,2022 commissioned Akunini Legacy ultra- Modern Science Laboratory for the school .
The commissioning of the School’s Science Laboratory with modern equipment touted as the best and unique science laboratory in the country has redeemed the past glory and reputation of the school as the best school which had enviable science lab around the 1960’s and 1970’s as the centre for promoting science education in the Ashanti region to accomplish its purpose of excellence in science education.
The colorful ceremony brought together important dignitaries from the government, Chiefs and Nananom,the clergy , academia , parents and students to grace the occasion. Notable among them were the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum , Nana Boakye Yam Ababio, Nkwantakesehene , who happened to be the chairman of the occasion for the commissioning.
The Ashanti regional Minister , Hon. Simon Osei Mensah .The rest were Okunini Rev. Dr Ernest Adu-Gyamfi , Chairman of the Board of Governors of Kumasi Academy ,Executive President Ghana Baptist Convention, and Chairman of the National Peace Council.
The District Chief Executive of Asokore Mampong Municipality, Hon. Kennedy Kankam, the regional Director of Education Mary Owusu Afriyie , and the Municipal Director of Education, Dr William K. Amankra Appiah
Addressing the gathering at a ceremony in the school at Asokore Mampong in the Ashanti region to outdoor the science laboratory, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education noted that New Patriotic Party ,NPP, Government is committed to the development of Science, Technology, and Mathematics education in the face of forth industrial revolution where within 10 years about 40 per cent of conventional jobs is believed, will be disappeared and replaced by science, maths , engineering and technology induced jobs.
” Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo has singled out science, technology, ingineering, and mathematics education for emphasis. And the reason is very simple ,we are in the forth industrial revolution .This is the time where the old jobs that we are familiar with are going to change.In fact, researches have shown that within the next ten years 40 per cent of all the jobs that we know will disappear. It will be replaced by other new types of jobs .Those new types of jobs will depend on computers , science and technology , engineering and mathematics. A nation that does not move in that direction will forever be left behind and that is why a great emphasis has been placed on STEM education.
In this regard, he applauded the Past Students Association and Management of Kumasi Academy Senior High School for partnering government to improve science education in the school and the country at large : ” So this shear determination to bring transformation to your school is going to be an example to all of us across the country, that where there is will there is a way and that we’ll contribute to the transformation of our schools”
Recounting on the journey of the establishment of the school’s new science laboratory, the Headmaster of the school, Mr Samuel Kwame Gato commended the past students for their sterling contributions, including establishing the new science laboratory to help accelerate development of science education in the school.
” You allowed yourselves to make an impact in an era where educational infrastructural development is not only limited to the Ministry of Education. On this memorable day , we recognize your team as a relevant stakeholder who provides a shoulder for her alma mater to lean on in times of need,”
Later in an interview with Ghanaian Watch Online , the President of the Past Students’ Association of Kumasi Academy Senior High school, Okunini Dr K. Dapaah-Siakwan who initiated the science lab project urged the students to utilize the facility to improve their academic standards , especially their science education.
” We don’t do these things just for fun. We want it to impact positively on the educational standards , especially the sciences in this school. That’s our expectations ,once we have done that we expect the students to be well motivated enough to see what we have done to do something better for themselves and the school.”
Okunini Dr K. Dapaah-Siakwan acknowledged contributions of all members of the Past Students Association of Kumasi Academy Senior High School and all those who helped in diverse ways to ensure their dream was realised .
He mentioned in particular his team of members who inspired and influenced him positively to survive the journey.
” With this renewed spirit and the full support and encouragement by my inner caucus ; Ing.Owusu Kunadu 1980, Ernest Anim 2004, Snr. Owusu E.O. 1969, Sis Joyce Owusu Agyemang 1970, Sis Magdelene Asirifi 1970,Dominic Nimo(Koo Nimo) 1981, Osei Boakye Acheampong 1971, we continued despite all the unfortunate frustration,insult and negativity from some quarters .We knew it was doable
How the Construction of New Kumaca Science Laboratory Began
“In July ,2012, the school organised a home coming event during which the association also held its National Congress to adopt a new National Constitution and elect new National officers to steer the affairs of the association for the period 2012 to 2015 . Like every Okunini , I also went to participate in the homecoming events . However, unknown to and without any promptings from anybody, the then Executives of the association told me to chair the main event of the day”
These were the words of the National President of Past Students of Kumasi Academy Senior High School , Okunini Dr K. Dapaah-Siakwan, an initiator of the Okunini Legacy science project.
He stated that after accepting and successfully chaired the proceedings leading to adoption of a new draft constitution and the new National Committee . He was then asked to moderate the main event and subsequently he was nominated unopposed as the National Chairman to steer the affairs of the association, both local and overseas branches.
“We later organised our first fund raising event at the Holiday Inn in Accra on 5th March ,2013 to raise funds for the completion of the Sick Bay and a Nurses’ quarters the Past Students under the old Executives wanted to present to the School.
These projects were just at the sub-, structure stage when we took over and thus we needed to work on them as soon as possible.”
Okunini Dr K. Dapaah-Siakwan told Editor-in-chief of the Publicity Committee and Editorial Subcommittee Team of the Commissioning of the Science Laboratory Project,
Okunini Dr Samuel Tinageyi
” At that event , our special guest of honor , Hon.Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, Member of Parliament for Asawasi Constituency under which Kumasi Academy falls , was so touched by our story captured in a special video clip .He then offered to help us to complete the Sick Bay Project. He further advised us to use the funds that would be realized from the event to start another project for the school. After some initial hitches , the Asokore Mampong under the direction of the Hon. MP, completed the Sick Bay Projects and it was commissioned and handed over to the school in a colourful ceremony. ” , Dr K Dapaah Siakwan hinted
According to Dr K Dapaah Siakwan they took decision, as a Executive Committee of the Association following the advice of Hon.Muntaka Mohamned that they should consider to embark on another project for the school.
He said Ing Owusu Kunadu class of 1980 and then Vice President , proposed a modern science lab to replace the old one in order to restore their past glory as the Senior High School with the best science laboratory in the whole of Ashanti region.
” From then on, we started to sell the idea to all our members both in Ghana and the diaspora especially North America.
Using various creative strategies introduced over the years ,we have managed to raise the funds needed to complete this project and we are all here to commission and hand it over to our alma mater.”, he said
