St. Josephs School Marks Diamond Jubilee

THE St. Joseph's Basic School at Adabraka in Accra has launched its 75th anniversary celebration.

The anniversary which started in July this year, will be climaxed with a thanksgiving service at the Holy Spirit Cathedral on March 22, next year.

The event brought  together past students, popularly known as “Old Joes”, past teachers, pupils and teachers of the school.

The Most Rev. Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Accra, who chaired the function, recounted the contributions made by the teachers of the school that had made him what he is today.

The Archbishop, an 'Old Joe' noted that, the school has contributed immensely to the national economy considering the fact that products of the school occupy key positions in the country.

He urged the pupils to be obedient to their teachers in order to achieve their life ambitions, stressing that, “you should not underestimate the school.”

Launching the anniversary, Andy Agyekum, an old student and a member of the Central Planning Committee of the anniversary celebration, said the celebration should be the concern of all, whether they attended the school or not.

He said “Archbishop Palmer-Buckle is a model who inspires a lot of people and pupils must emulate his shining example”.

Mr Agyekum,, said that the present condition of the school is nothing to write home about and that there is a charion call on old students and well-meaning people to help save it from further deterioration.

Jayne Prempeh Mercer, headmistress of the school, lamented the lukewarm attitude of parents had contributed to the falling standard of the school, saying that unless parents put an end to their apathy towards the school's programmes, “it would be difficult for us to achieve our aim of providing quality education for the pupils.”

She said parents are not committed to Parent-Teacher-Association meetings, stressing that it is at such meetings that decisions are taken to move the school forward.

Ms Mercer complained of deteriorating infrastructure in the school and urged the old students to assist.

A former teacher of the school, Anna Segu Gertrude Yankah, 92, said she was full of joy to have met some of the past pupils she taught.

She called on all to give a helping hand to children, especially those in need, who are the future leaders of the nation.

An appeal for funds to rehabilitate the school for it to regain its near lost glory yielded GH¢3,800 out of about GH¢60,000 needed to complete the rehabilitation project.