The Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has officially handed over a newly constructed 3-storey 18-unit classroom block with ancillary facilities and a 3-unit nursery block to the Independence Avenue Cluster of Schools.

The commissioning ceremony, held on September 18, 2024 was graced by Her Excellency Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, the First Lady of Ghana and King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse.

During the ceremony, Dr. Ernest Addison, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, emphasised the importance of investing in education infrastructure.

“This project is not only an investment in bricks and mortar, but in the future of our children,” he said.

He further highlighted the critical role such projects play in improving teaching and learning, stating, “This facility will inspire hope, progress, and pride in our community. It represents the Bank’s commitment to giving back and contributing to Ghana’s educational development.”

The Independence Avenue Cluster of Schools, founded in 1906, has a rich history of educating young girls, originally under the name Accra Government Girls’ School.

Dr. Addison reflected on the institution’s significance by sharing personal ties, noting, “My mother was privileged to attend this school in the 1940s. It was known for its discipline, sophistication and emphasis on creating ladies who could hold their own in any social group.”

Despite its prestigious past, the school had been in a deplorable state for decades, threatening the safety of its 778 students and staff.

This situation led to a request for support in 2019 by the school’s headmistress, Mrs. Agatha Dzathor and the then-Mayor of Accra, Mohammed Adjei Sowah.

Recognising the importance of education, the Bank of Ghana decided to fully fund the project as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Dr. Addison called on the school’s management to adopt a rigorous maintenance culture, ensuring the facilities serve current and future generations.

“This school is your oyster where your curious minds will explore, question, and innovate to reach heights higher than your forebearers,” he said.

In addition to the Governor’s remarks, the First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo praised the collaboration between the Bank of Ghana, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the Ghana Education Service (GES), acknowledging the importance of public-private partnerships in national development.

Dr. Addison concluded his address by thanking all stakeholders involved in the project, including the AMA and contractors, for their unwavering support and collaboration.

“Together, we are building a brighter future for our children, our community, and our nation,” he said.