kumasi Academy senior high school, past students Association (KAPSA-AKUNNINI GLOBAL), through the national body, have fulfilled their pledge to Commissioning of Ultramodern science Laboratory.
Total cost of the monumental structure was given as GHs 9.6million and the acquisition of the aforesaid price value for the construction was realized through joint contribution from members of the association.
Building and completion of the project under went a duration of nine years and was commissioned on Saturday 8th July 2022.
Present at the grand commissioning were the Ashanti regional Minister Simon Osei Mensah, Education Minister Yaw Adutwum, Founder and leader of Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) Kofi Akpaloo, Peter Mac Manu (Board Chairman of COCOBOD) among others.
The newly built laboratory adds up to litany of support offered to the school by members of association which include a constructed bathhouse, a modern lavatory, provision of books, monthly support for teachers among others.
The Education Minister who doubles has Bosomtwe member of parliament commended the association, stating that the facility is not a regular science lab but rather a 21st century STEM laboratory.
Hon Adutwum continued that not only is government building new STEM schools but is also transforming existing schools to become STEM school. “but since you (KAPSA-AKUNINI GLOBAL) have led the way, you have made the job easier. So making you one of the STEM school is something I can commit to you today because you have already began…therefore as the Minster of Education I am going to consider you one of the STEM schools that the President wants to transform and build in the country”.
This initiative is in sync with the President’s vision of developing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET).
Dr Adutwum disclosed that only 12 percent of SHS students is enrolled to undergo various studies in science disciplines and underscored the need to step up efforts to achieve the 60:40 science-humanities ratio in the not too distant future, and
The government has started operationalising STEM schools such as Bosomtwe Girls STEM SHS, Abomosu STEM and Kpesempe STEM school. Other schools such as Diasu, Akrodie and Awaso will be operationalised soon.
In addition, the government is also constructing five STEM-based universities in five of the new regions.
“I am of the firm belief that when they are completed, it will increase the intake in courses that will drive industrialisation in Ghana.”
Ernest Yaw Anim (Auditor for the Association and Chairman for the Commissioning) in an interview described the laboratory as the first of its kind in Ghana.
He said the association has considered coming up with other interventions including putting up facilities for other departments of the school.
Ernest Yaw Anim noted that the doors of KAPSA-AKUNINI GLOBAL is open for any Senior High School who wants to learn from them on how they were able put up such a monumental Science laboratory.
