annual speech, prize giving and upper sixth form...

Title Sponsor

Annual Speech, Prize Givingand Upper Sixth Form

2014/2015

Graduation Day Guest Speaker: Professor Wole SoyinkaWinner, 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986

Date: Tuesday 23rd June 2015Time: 14:00 GMT Venue: National Theatre, Accra, Ghana

ContentsOrder of Programme 04

Guest of Honour 05

Board of Directors and Management Team 06

Principal’s Address 07

Class of 2015 10

Prefects 2014/2015 16

Students’ Representative Council 2014/2015 17

18 Prize Winners

22 The List of Class of 2015

24 Brief History

26 Guiding Statements

28 Sponsors Acknowledgement

31 School Song & Ghana National Anthem

3Ghana International School

1. Arrival of Students, Parents and Guests

2. Procession by Board of Directors, Guest of Honour and Management Team led by Noyan Institute of the Arts

3. Sixth Form Procession led by School Orchestra

4. The Ghana National Anthem

5. Welcome and Acknowledgement of Sponsors by MC Mr. Selase Dzakamani

6. Board Chairman’s Opening Address by Mr. Kwame Pianim

7. Principal’s Address by Dr. Mary Ashun

8. Introduction of Guest of Honour by MD, Access Bank (GH) Mr. Dolapo Ogundimu.

9. Guest of Honour’s Speech by Professor Wole Soyinka

10. Presentation of Prizes and Awards for Lower Secondary by Ms. Ida Abbeyquaye

11. Presentation of Prizes and Awards for Upper Secondary by Mr. Frank Amponsah-Mensah

12. Graduation Ceremony, Presentation of Certificates by Guest of Honour assisted by Principal

13. Valedictory Address by Neta Parsram and Papa Kofi Genfi

14. Video presentation by Lower 6 Form Students

15. Musical Performance by Students

16. Ghana International School Song by Class of 2015

17. Vote of Thanks by Upper Secondary Vice Principal, Mr. Frank Amponsah-Mensah

18. Recession of Board of Directors, Guest of Honour and Management Team led by Noyan Institute of the Arts

19. Refreshments for Board of Directors, Special Guests, Management, Graduates and members of their families on the 2nd Floor.

ProgrammeOrder of

As a courtesy to the graduates and families attending this event, we ask that photographers do not distract the program; kindly remain in area assigned to camera crew

4 Ghana International School

Wole Soyinka, Professor of English Literature, a distinguished poet, playwright and novelist is also a human rights activist famous as the

first African to win the Nobel Peace Prize in Literature in 1986. This was the effect of

years of accumulation and display of literary talents from when he played the role of “The

Magician” in a primary school operetta directed by his father at St. Peter’s School,

Ake, his home-town. This was at the age of nine from where he continued school at the

Abeokuta Grammar School where he became a prodigious collector of literary prizes

Later as a young man, he enrolled at the University College of Ibadan from 1952-54 and then at the University of Leeds studying English Literature before returning to Nigeria in 1960 to do research on West African drama through a Rockefeller Foundation grant. After that, he wrote and founded drama groups. From 1958, when he wrote ‘The Swamp Dwellers to date, he has written over 70 books (plays, collection of poetry, novels, autobiographical accounts and essays) which include; Novels: ‘The Interpreters and Season of Anomy. Drama or plays: ‘The Lion and the Jewel, The Trials of Brother Jero, Jero Metamorphosis’, ‘A Dance of the Forests, Kongi’s Forest, Madmen’ and ‘Specialists, Death and the King’s Horseman’, ‘From Zia with Love’ and collection of poetry. Among them: ‘Mandela’s Earth and Other

Poems, Samarkand’ and ‘Other Markets I Have Known’.

Professor Soyinka has received many other awards, fellowships and grants over the course of his over half a century career as a writer and human rights activist: The Arts Council of England’s John Whiting Award in 1966/67 and was an Overseas Fellow at Churchill College, Cambridge from 1973-74. In 1986 he received the Agip Prize for Humanities, an Honorary Membership of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, Anisfied-Wolf Book Award, Commander Order of Merit by the Italian Government and the George Benson Medal of The Royal Society for Literature. He has received honorary doctorate degrees from Harvard and Princeton in addition to others from Eastern and Western Europe.

GUEST OF HONOURPROFESSOR WOLE SOYINKA


In other public policy work, he was President of The International Theatre Institute in Paris, President of International Parliament of Writers and UNESCO Ambassador for the Promotion of African Culture, Human Rights and Freedom of Expression.

He has taught and given lectures at many Universities around the world including the Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan, University of Ghana, Cambridge University, Cornell University, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Columbia, Emory University in Atlanta and Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He has also held faculty lectures in The Middle East, South America, Caribbean and Asia and was a BBC World Service Reith Lecturer.

On his 80th birthday partly celebrated in Accra, Ghana, two African leaders - Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda, John Mahama of Ghana and Former President John Agyekum Kufuor (Ghana) and scores of others including Ministers of State, Diplomats and Writers honored him at the State Banquet Hall when the book, ‘Crucible of the Ages: Essays in Honour of Wole Soyinka’, edited by Ivor Agyeman-Duah and Ogochukwu Promise was launched as the most diversified anthology ever in the career of Africa’s most famous playwright, poet and human rights activist.

Board of DirectorsMr. Kwame Pianim

Chairman

Mr. Josiah W. Ampiah Member Director

Mrs. Estelle AppiahMember Director

Professor Florence DolphyneDirector

Mr. Kofi KwakwaDirector

Ms. Maame HaganDirector

Mrs. Augusta CameronDirector

Mrs. Sophia Amissah LaryeaBoard Secretary

Management TeamDr. Mary AshunActing Principal

Mr. Frank Amponsah- MensahVice Principal, Upper Secondary

Ms. Ida AbbeyquayeAssistant to Vice Principal, Lower Secondary

Mrs. Mary OcanseyVice Principal, Junior School

Ms. Heidi OwuVice Principal, Infant School

Mr. Alfred AyerFinancial Controller

Mr. James NkansahIT Systems Manager

Mrs. Deborah TackieDevelopment Manager

Mrs. Sante AndahHuman Resources and Administration Manager

Ms. Maxine WallSchool Counsellor

GHANA INTERNATIONALSCHOOL


On behalf of Mrs. Nyatepe-Coo, the Board of Directors, The School Management, Staff, Alumni and

Friends of GIS, we welcome you to our 60th Speech & Prize Giving Day. This year, we are honoured to welcome, Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, who continues to entreat us to be change agents of our continent. We will forever be grateful for the time he has taken to be with us today. I also extend a hearty thank you to Mr. Ivor Agyeman Duah, for his lobbying efforts in making Professor Soyinka’s presence here a reality. Ye Daase!

At the end of this splendid academic year at Ghana International School, I am not only delighted, but also overwhelmed by the excellence you have consistently displayed all year. Seated here amongst us, are thinkers, dreamers and doers… and today, we celebrate all your achievements: Academic, Social, Emotional, Athletic, and Artistic. Academically, you have added one more year to your thinking chart, exploring the Napoleonic Era, figuring out how greenhouse gases affect the earth’s atmosphere, using your French or Spanish to explore literary works, and perhaps reworking Fermat’s last theorem! You have made lasting friendships, endured canteen food and participated in events like the UN Day. Perhaps you were one of those who brought the award winning

musical “In The Heights” to our National Theatre, reminding us that relationships and community are critical to our lives.

In so many profound ways, this year has seen our students mature. And in other insightful ways, it has been a pleasure for your teachers and I, to enjoy the process of your development with you.

As well, our school is being positively transformed in various ways. From the physical space that next year will welcome a new Form 1 - 3 block, a state of the art multi-purpose hall and a new Primary School canteen, to our internal learning spaces; we are excited at the changes that will herald an even greater focus on teaching and learning.

PRINCIPAL’S ADDRESS


We will direct much of our energies to teacher support: through professional development in order to increase the opportunities our teachers have, to continuously develop new skills, and enhance existing ones. Inherently, we know that a critical determinant of student success... is the teacher, and we plan to keep providing all the support, and resources they need to ensure that we all get to enjoy the best learning experience possible.

We also want to encourage more parents to visit our classrooms as ‘visiting experts’ and we trust that those in the fields of technology, science, literature and other disciplines, will consider volunteering to spend a day or two with our teachers, and their students.

On the co-curricular front, opportunities to expand one’s worldview, are coming your way: every student will be privileged to be given a volunteer passport, which will document each student’s community service, as evidence of their commitment to help those who are less fortunate.

Our Secondary School canteen will be cashless in September; each student will be given a card on which money can be

loaded. Concerns about health and safety, loss (in handling physical cash) and speed of service will be addressed by this new system. We trust that parents will also be thrilled that they will now have a way of monitoring and managing how our students manage their money.

In the new Form 1 - 3 block, specialized classrooms for Math and Geography will make learning far more hands-on with the expectation that once understanding is increased, motivation to participate in, and excel in, external competitions like MISE, and the Math Olympiad, will increase so that we have more than one student from GIS representing Ghana at the Math Olympiad! This July, our very own Alexander Bechtold will be heading out to Singapore to do just that; we wish him the very best; we are already proud of his achievements, and know that he will continue to shine!

Change in any environment is as inevitable, as growth is to any organism. The end of this year will bring some growing pains in the form of departing students, as well as some very special mentors: Mr. Adinyira, HOD of the Social Studies Dept, Mrs. Joseph of the Literature Department,

and Mr. Odoom, HOD of Chemistry. We know there are many ways in which students will remember you - we wish you all, every success in the next phase of your lives, and hope that retirement will be very rewarding! Thank you for the time you spent with our students, and the commitment you showed in, and out of, class. You were an integral part of all the successes GIS has experienced. On behalf of the board of directors, staff, parents and students, we applaud and thank you! Of great sadness to us, was the loss of our beloved teacher, Mr. Gordon Atitsogbui, whose death occurred earlier this term. May his soul rest in peace.

Now…..to our Graduates, we are very proud of you!

For their tertiary development, the graduating class of 2015, mostly focused on North American colleges this year, with a fair number choosing the United Kingdom as a main, or alternative choice. Canada was another destination of choice – and contrary to what you might think……..I did NOT have anything to do with this!

In total, there are 87 students in the 2015 graduating class. 62 students applied to universities in North America, 26 students


applied to the United Kingdom, 2 applied to Webster University in Switzerland, and 24 applied to Ghanaian Universities.

Our graduates performed very well in the SAT and ACT tests, and achieved high marks in both examinations.

I’m pleased to announce that our acceptances span Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, in the United States, Queens University, McGill University, University of British Columbia in Canada, Universities of Bristol, Loughborough and Warwick in the United Kingdom and many more. Courses to be studied include Law, Engineering, Medicine, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Economics, Journalism, Creative Writing, Psychology, Interior Design, Fine Arts, Publishing Studies, Political Science, Management Information Studies, International Relations, Entrepreneurship, Business Management and others. I am looking forward to the day when I’m able to add Education to this list of disciplines. We need more great teachers! :)

This year the financial aid and scholarship packages continue to be significant. So far two students have received full scholarships that totally covered tuition,

and school expenses with an amount leftover for personal expenses. The amounts for financial aid ranged from $1,000 (CAD) to as much as USD$ 80,000 per year, for the four year program. To date, the total financial aid and scholarship packages for the students is USD$ 1,273,677 and $23,000 (CAD) per year, for the four year programme. Congratulations!

Let me share a true story:

Several years ago, one of my children had a dress up day at school and wanted to go as a Ninja Pirate. This pirate had to wear an apparently green costume which was no normal green. So, I searched high and low for this green, each time being told categorically, by this child of mine, that it wasn’t the right green. Eventually, I decided to try a thrift store called Value Village. On entering the store, I noticed a very bright fabric hanging on a rack in the far right corner. I walked gingerly to the rack, knowing full well what I was gunning for, but incredulous because such fabric did not belong on a rack at the back of a thrift store in a small town in Southern Ontario! It was Kente, and although I came into the store looking for pirate green fabric, I walked out of the

store with ‘Adwen Asa’...a kente design that was so called because legend has it that the chief, for whom it was made, declared that there could be no more skill left, after such a beautiful cloth had been woven...it was simply, too beautiful. Adwen Asa, 4 yards for $4.99. I wondered who’d thought so little of this valuable cloth to have sent it there, and also of the one who probably retrieved it from the trash bag that it had been delivered in, to the one who slapped that price tag on it. 4 yards of ‘Adwen Asa ‘ for $4.99! Something of so little value to others was of immense value to me. I had no reason not to buy it….so I did...and promptly made something out of it! Ninja green was eventually found and I was glad that I had had the patience not to give up on that special green!

Now I ask you….. Which experiences at GIS, are of much value to you? It could be friendships; mentoring from teachers; strong academic grades; an opportunity to express yourself in the arts; Uncle Stephen’s Khebabs: Whatever it is….. Value those things and don’t let anyone treat them lightly. No matter how long you have been at GIS, I am sure that you will never forget the amazing time you have spent on this our storied campus. And


as you leave to chart new paths, I hope our school song will forever play in your hearts. ‘Understanding of Each Other’ indeed sums up our ethos as a school…and whether you study in North America, Europe, Africa or elsewhere, our school motto is a guiding light for you.

This afternoon, we are celebrating you in a fashion that will bring back awesome memories, and for those of you who have been at GIS for what seems like forever, those memories may bring tears to your eyes. You are a fortunate group of young men and women, to have such interesting memories. Value them. Cherish them. Hold them dear, and true, in your hearts. Whether you see each other again or not, realize that what you did have here together, is altogether precious.

And we are grateful to have been a part of it…

Congratulations!Dr. Mary AshunActing Principal

2015CLASS OF


ACQUAYE, Ivy M.

AGBETTOR, Ohui

ASANTE, Phoebe

ADDO, Jeannette

AGYEMAN, Nathacia

BAITIE, Bassam

ADIAMAH, Karyn Koleki

AKINYOSOYE, Ayomide

BAKU, Theodora

ADJIDJONU, Thelma

AKOTO, Anthony B.

BEDU-ADDO, Kow

ADU-AMANKWAH, Takyi

AMPEH-DEI, Alfred

BLANKSON, Kevin

ADUSU, Aseye

ANSA, Mustafa

BOATENG, Kofi Agyekum

AFEAWO, Elikem

ARYEE-BOI, Malaika

BOATENG, Marcus

CLASS OF

2015


BUNYAN, Samuel

ELIZABETH, Alison

HINGORANI, Siddharth

CODJOE, Conrad

FORSON, Jaison

JAISINGH, Shaheen

DADEY, Rudolph

GENFI, Karl

KAMDAR, Jash

DANSO, Elizabeth

GENFI, Papa

KANBONNABAH, Wehpia

DONKOR, Pearl

GRAHAM, Samuella

KYEREMATENG, Nana Afua Afrakuma

DONKOR, Stephanie M.

GRANT, William

LARYEA, Kessel

DOWUONA-HAMMOND, Joel

HARDCASTLE, Aidan

LARYEA, Mary-Rachelle

CLASS OF

2015


MAKSHA, Blessing

NAGARAJAN, Chandrasekar

OLU-LUTHERKING, Olajoju

MALINUR, Lea

NANEMEH, Enam

OREVAOGHENE, Jemima

MANTEY, Eunice

NELSON, Jamie

ORLEANS-LINDSAY, Nana Araba

MASHUD, Chief Shaibu

NWOSU, Martin

OSAFO, Denis O.

MENSAH, Paa Kwesi

OBENG, Leonard

OSEI-BONSU, Justina-Cheryl

MFUM, Michael

OBESE-JECTY, Ama

OWUSU-BOATENG, Nana Afua

MOSSRICH, Samuel

ODDOYE, George Jeremy

OWUSU, Adwoa G

CLASS OF

2015


OWUSUA, Denise

TETTEY, Christopher

POTIN, Gordon

VIRINDANI, Sanjeet

SACKEY, Kow-Acquah

WADEE, Esi

SAFO-DUODU, Abena K.

WADHWANI, Neetu

SHARMA, Nikita

WOODE, Cecil

STEPHENS, Stephanie

YEBOAH, Nana Kofi

TAGOE, Nii Ofei

CLASS OF

2015


2014/2015PREFECTS Ist Row: Right: Nana Kow-Acquah Sackey Left: Jemimah Orevaoghene

2nd Row: Right: Rudolph Dadey Left: Nana Afua Kyeremateng

3rd Row:Right: Pearl Donkor Middle: Neta ParsramLeft: Adoma Boateng

4th Row: Right: Christopher TetteyMiddle Alfred Dei-AmpehLeft: Kow Bedu-Addo


2014/2015

Students’ RepresentativeCouncil

Standing “ from Left: Fergus Murray, Nana Ama Ampofo-Tenkorang, Iman Ali, Nana Seiwaa Osei- Afriyie, Samuel Ntim- Addae and Karl Genfi (Seated)


Yeboender Enterprise Prize for Art ADUSU, Aseye Adzo

Yeboender Enterprise Prize for Art GRAHAM, Samuella

PwC Prize for Accounting KAMDAR, Jash

Nestle Ghana Prize for Biology SHARMA, Nikita

Lancaster University Prize for Geography AFEAWO, Ron Elikem

Fairgreen Prize for Applied ICT AKOTO, Anthony Bafuor

Databank Prize for Business Studies ADDO, Jeannette

Palmers’ Green Prize for Sociology SAFO-DUODU, Abena

FON Ltd. Prize for Modern Languages- French MALINUR, Lea

FON Ltd. Prize for Modern Languages- French (AS) ARYEE-BOI, Malaika

ZOE GADEGBEKU Prize for English Literature OREVAOGENE, Jemima

GIS Prize for History OREVAOGENE, Jemima

Tropical Cable & Conductors Prize for Physics NAGARAJAN, Chandrasekar

GIS Prize for Chemistry NAGARAJAN, Chandrasekar

Ecobank Prize for Economics NAGARAJAN, Chandrasekar

Standard Chartered Bank Prize for Mathematics NAGARAJAN, Chandrasekar

Standard Chartered Bank Devika Ray Prize for Mathematics

NAGARAJAN, ChandrasekarUPPER Sixth Form

SUBJECT PRIZES:


NO. NAME CATEGORY

1 OREVAOGHENE, Jemimah ARTS

2 MALINUR, Lea Jennifer Nnkolila ARTS

3 OBESE-JECTY, Ama Kogua ARTS

4 SAFO-DUODU, Abena Konadu Titi ARTS

1 SHARMA, Nikita BUSINESS

2 SACKEY, Nana Kow- Acquah BUSINESS

3 ADU-AMANKWAH, Stephen Takyi BUSINESS

1 NAGARAJAN, Chandrasekar SCIENCE

2 BEDU-ADDO, Kow Boi Amoagor SCIENCE

3 KAMDAR, JASH AJAY SCIENCE

4 JAISINGH, Shaheen Jagdish SCIENCE

5 ARYEE-BOI, Malaika SCIENCE

6 AMPEH, Alfred Dei SCIENCE

HONOUR ROLL UPPER SIXTH FORM


FORM GIRLS BOYS

1 Zaneta Otoo Momodou Jaime Senghor

2 Elizabeth Efia Awuah Kwabena Kwakwa

3 Amanda Awoenam Ami Bosso Ekow Bentsil-Enchil

4 Jessica Otoo Tyron Jason Nii Odartey Wulff

5 Michelle Kotey Julian Titus-Glover

L6 Akosua Okoampah Alexander Bechtold

U6 Neta Parsram Chief Mashud

Mingle Most Outstanding Sports Personalities of the YearGIRLS: Chelsea MensahBOYS: Takyi Adu-Amankwah

Mingle Most Committed Sports Personalities of the YearGIRLS: Jessica OtooBOYS: Fergus Murray

AWARD WINNERS FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS 2014/2015 ACADEMIC YEAR


Allied Oil Prize for Excellence (2010- 2015)(Students who maintained position on the Honour Roll for 4 to 5 years from 2011-2015; Forms 1-5)

1. NESARIKAR, Janhavi

2. MURRAY, Fergus

3. KESSIE, Serwaa

4. SADALAGE, Aditya Praveen

5. BHATIA, Muskan

6. NEEQUAYE, Lenry

Webster University Prize for Excellence at IGCSE(Candidates who achieved 6A* or Better at 2014 IGCSE Examinations)

1. BECHTOLD, Alexander

2. DASWANI, Yash

3. OTENG-GYASI, Barbara

4. AGARWAL, Aadhar

5. ALLOTEY, Ben Elliot

6. AWASTHI, Akshaj

7. MANCHELLA, Kushaal Bharadwaj

8. BOBIE, Yasmin

9. GBEDEMAH, Zulfiya Emefa

10. HARI, Simardeep Singh

11. ZAGLOUL, Yelena

Zoe- Rhema Best Library User AwardShail Patel

Estelle Appiah Award for Community Service - Nikita Sharma

Goodrich Trucks Best Personality Award - Neta Parsram

IPMC Best Prefect Award-2014Jemima Orevaoghene

Databank Leadership AwardJemima Orevaoghene

Jones Aboagye Scholar of the Year (Business) - Nikita Sharma

Kwame and Cornelia Pianim Scholar of the Year Award(Arts) Jemima Orevaoghene

Kwame and Cornelia Pianim Scholar of the Year Award (Science) Chandrasekar Nagarajan

GIS Alumni Student of the Year AwardJemima Orevaoghene

Sangu Delle Prize for Social Entrepreneurship

BLANKSON, Kevin KwameDADEY, Rudolph

UPPER SECONDARY SPECIAL AWARDS

GIS Prize for Best SRC Representative 2014/2015 Fergus Murray

Goodrich Trucks Prize for Best Personality(Voted by Students)

Form 4 -AKOTO, Angela AbenaForm 5 - NESARIKAR, JanhaviForm Lower 6 - OTOO, Cyril Justin

Goodrich Trucks Prize for Academic Excellence (Students who maintained position on the Honour roll for 6-7 years from 2009-2015; Forms 1- Upper 6)

1. NAGARAJAN, Chandrasekar

2. KAMDAR, Jash

3. SHARMA, Nikita

5. BOATENG, Adoma

4. OREVAOGHENE, Jemima

6. OBESE-JECTY, Ama


Upper Sixth Form Graduating Class of 2015

ACQUAYE, Ivy Marilyn Naa Adorkor

ADDO, Jeannette

ADIAMAH, Karyn Koleki

ADJIDJONU, Thelma Afua

ADU-AMANKWAH, Takyi

ADUSU, Aseye Adzo

AFEAWO, Elikem

AGBETTOR, Ohui Nyadubea

AGYEMANG, Nathacia Nana Ama

AKINYOSOYE, Ayomide

AKOTO, Anthony Baffour Osei

AMPEH-DEI, Alfred Kwabena

ANSA, Mustafa

ARYEE-BOI, Malaika Naa Lamley

ASANTE, Phoebe Ohemah

BAITIE, Bassam

BAKU, Theodora

BEDU-ADDO, Kow Boi Amoagor

BLANKSON, Kevin Kwame

BOATENG, Adoma G.

BOATENG, Kofi Agyekum

BOATENG, Marcus

GHANA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL


BRUCE-TAGOE, Nii Ofei

BUDHRANI, Jahan

BUNYAN, Samuel Ebenezer

CODJOE, Conrad

DADEY, Rudolph

DANSO, Elizabeth

DARKO, Herschel Ludwig

DONKOR, Pearl

DONKOR, Stephanie Maame Yaa

DOWUONA-HAMMOND, Joel

ELIZABETH, Alison

FORSON-DANSO, Jaison Nana Kwabena

GENFI, Karl

GENFI, Nana Kofi

GRAHAM, Samuella

GRANT, William

GUPTA, Sahej

HARDCASTLE, Aidan

HINGORANI, Siddharth

JAISINGH, Shaheen

KAMDAR, Jash

KANBONNABAH, Wehpia

KASSARDJAN, Karl

KATOCH, Arindam

KYEREMATENG, Nana Afua Afrakuma

LARYEA, Kessel Joel

LARYEA, Mary-Rachelle

MAHAMA, Khalid

MAKSHA, Blessing

MALINUR, Lea

MANTEY, Eunice

MASHUD, Chief Shaibu

MENSAH, Paa Kwesi Anamua

MFUM, Michael

MOSSRICH, Samuel

NAGARAJAN, Chandrasekar

NANEMEH, Enam

NELSON, Jamie Padu

NWOSU, Martin

OBENG, Leonard

OBESE-JECTY, Ama

ODDOYE, George Jeremy

OLU-LUTHERKING, Olajoju

OREVAOGHENE, Jemima

ORLEANS-LINDSAY, Nana Araba Gyaanua

OSAFO, Denis Asante

OSEI-BONSU, Justina-Cheryl

OWUSU, Adwoa Gyamfuaa

OWUSU, Lesley Anne

OWUSUA, Denise Akua

OWUSU-BOATENG, Nana Afua

PARSRAM, Neta

POTIN, Gordon

SACKEY, Nana Kow-Acquah

SAFO-DUODU, Abena Konadu Titilola

SHARMA, Nikita

STEPHENS, Stephanie Naa Korkoi

TETTEY, Christopher

VIRINDANI, Sanjeet

WADEE, Esi Kobi

WADHWANI, Neetu

WOOD, Cecil Esem

YEBOAH, Nana Kofi Biggel


In the early part of 1955, Mrs. Kathleen Lines, wife of the then General Manager of the Graphic Company, formed

an international school committee of leading personalities within the Ghanaian community. This was in response to the need for setting up a permanently-run school that would always be there for children of different races and creeds; a school that would not only serve the international community but also local needs.

The members of the committee were: Sir. Kobena Arku Korsah and Justice Edward Akuffo-Addo, both justices of the Supreme Court of the Gold Coast, Dr. Lusty of the University College of the Gold Coast (now University of Ghana, Legon), Mr. Kenneth Humphreys, first registrar of the West African Examinations Council, Dr. Ruby Quartey-Papafio an educationist

then working with the Social Welfare Department, Dr. Kofi George Konuah, also an educationist, working with the Public Service Commission, Mr. Edward James Bailey of the United Africa Company of the Gold Coast and his wife, Mrs. Valerie Bailey.

Membership of the committee was later expanded to include the Indian High Commissioner, The American and French Vice-Consuls to the Gold Coast.

The Gold Coast International School was opened on 1st September, 1955 at the Legion Hall with 38 pupils in two primary classes and Mrs. Ellen Strong as its first Headmistress.

In January 1956 the school moved into the building at No. 19 Second Circular Road, which could accommodate 200 children. It now houses the Art and Music Department in the Primary School. On 29th October, 1956, the first Governor-

General of the Gold Coast, Sir Charles Arden Clarke, laid the foundation stone for the construction of the main block of the permanent building and in January 1957 the buildings were occupied.

After the Gold Coast gained her independence in 1957, the name of the school was changed to Ghana International School (GIS). By 1958 GIS had become internationally known due to its outstanding Common Entrance Examination results. In 1963 GIS presented its first batch of “O” level candidates for the University of London GCE Examinations, and in September 1987 the Sixth Form course was introduced.

The appointment of Mrs. Judith Sawyerr as Principal on 1st January, 1986 saw the modernisation of the school in terms of staff recruitment, infrastructural development and material resources.

Ghana International School

Brief History


A year after taking charge, Mrs. Sawyerr dissolved class seven (7) and decided that at the beginning of every September, one Junior School class would relocate to the Secondary School compound. This continued until there was a new Secondary Campus.

Between 1986 and 2002 major developments in infrastructure included the Secondary School Administration Block which was named after Mr. Modjabeng Dowuona, who was a Board Chairman of the school. There was the commissioning of a new Nursery Block and Junior School library. This was followed by the commissioning on 8th December 1995 of the Secondary School Resource Centre which comprised of a library, modern language laboratory, a senior computer laboratory and a film room. In addition, a new computer laboratory was built on the Junior School campus. These facilities were commissioned to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the school.

During that time, Ghana International School did not only experience developments. New subjects like Economics, Business Studies, Sociology and Further Mathematics were also introduced to the curriculum.

In 2002, Mrs. Sawyerr stepped down as Principal prompting a series of changes at management level. From April 2002 to December 2002, an Interim Management Team was formed, after which Mr. John Filby took up the helm from January 2003 to August 2004. He was followed swiftly by Mr. Thomas Hunt who served as Principal from September 2004 to June 2005, before the current Principal, Mrs. Diana Nyatepe-Coo took over the post.

In 2011, a new Sixth Form Block was built by the school and houses the office of the Upper Secondary Vice-Prinicpal, Form Five, Lower and Upper Sixth From classrooms and the school’s server and data rooms. More recent infrastructural developments include a brand new half Olympic-Size swimming pool, “baby” pool and student walkway.

The school has began work on a three-storey Lower Secondary Block which comprises 12 classrooms, offices, a music studio, drama studio and multi-purpose gym.

Given that the current principal is on an extended study leave, Dr. Mary Ashun currently serves as the Acting Principal. During the 2014/2015 Academic year,

she has enhanced communication with parents and the community. She is also using technology to drive transformational teaching and learning in the school. The school has a population of 1414 students from Nursery to Upper Sixth Form, and its international status is truly reflected in the over 58 different nationalities represented amongst the faculty and student body.

After years of application and hard work, GIS officially received accreditation status from NEASC in December 2007 and CIS in January 2008. This makes GIS the first school in Ghana to be certified and accredited by both the Council of International Schools (CIS) and New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). In 2013, representatives of CIS and NEASC visited Ghana International School to evaluate the progress made in the past five years of the school’s accreditation. Known as the five year accreditation review, the school received the accrediting bodies’ stamp of approval, with a member of the team, Mr. Michael Popinchalk referring to the school as one of Africa’s “best kept secrets”


Our Motto: “Understanding of each other”

Our Vision: “A highly respected school, locally and internationally recognised, providing excellent education in a multi-cultural setting that produces responsible global citizens”

Our Mission: “To provide an internationally diverse school experience that instils an understanding of each other, promotes holistic development, life skills and learning through a rigorous curriculum that meets international standards”

Guiding Statements


1. To maintain a high academic standard that:

• Deliversabroadcurriculumthatdrawsfrom various teaching methods, with English as the language of instruction;

• Offers the students opportunities todevelop lively, enquiring minds and independent thinking;

• Encourages participation in co-curricular activities;

• Providesopportunitiesandencouragement for the professional development of staff;

• Identifiesandmeetstheneedsofstudents, except when student(s) special educational needs cannot be met within the school’s resources;

• Keeps abreast of trends in educationand ensures that the curriculum remains relevant and dynamic.

2. To promote positive personal values that:

• Cultivateintegrityinstudents;

• Preparestudentstobecomeresponsible, creative, self reliant and productive members of the global community;

• Encourageeffectiveteamwork;

• Fosteralifelongloveoflearning.

3. To ensure understanding of and respect for diversity that:

• Provides students with opportunitiesto share their cultures to promote ‘understanding of each other’;

• Promotesknowledgeandunderstanding of Ghana;

• Promotesrespectforothercultures,beliefs, nationalities, gender and persons with different abilities.

4. To develop a positive educational facility that:

• Provides a nurturing, secure, clean and friendly learning environment where students can grow intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically;

• Providessufficientresourcestocreateand maintain a stimulating learning environment.

5. To promote understanding of and participation in global concerns that:

• Encouragestudentstoregardthenaturalworld as their inheritance and their responsibility;

• Recognisetheneedtoprotectandsustainthe local and global environment;

• Foster a fundamental understanding ofand respect for the rights and freedom of each individual in our community and the wider world in the spirit of the UN Declaration of Human Rights;

• Encourage each student’s participation in community service.

Our Educational Objectives:

Adopted: May 2012 & (Revised: January, 2015)


God bless our homeland GhanaAnd make our nation great and strongBold to defend foreverThe cause of freedom and of rightFill our hearts with true humilityMake us cherish fearless honestyAnd help us to resist oppressors’ ruleWith all our will and might forever more.

GHANANational Anthem


From all the countries of the earth, We come in turn to youOf different races, different creedsAnd different aspects too.We learn together day by day,In time our ways will part,But with each one of us we’ll takeUnderstanding of each other.

May we go out from this our school,In the glory of our youth.And be prepared to live our lives,With courage , honour and truth.And as the days pass one by oneMay we be made to see,The greatest gift in life must be,Understanding of each other.

Of all the lessons we have learned,The greatest one must be.That all the peoples of the earthShould live in harmonyNo need for war, no need for strife,For we can surely see,The way towards a peaceful lifeIs understanding of each other

Ghana InternationalSCHOOL SONG


Thank You to our Valued Sponsorsfor supporting our 2014/2015 Annual Speech, Prize Giving & Upper Sixth Form Graduation Day

Thank You to our Valued Sponsorsfor supporting our 2014/2015 Annual Speech, Prize Giving &Upper Sixth Form Graduation Day.

Title Sponsor:

Prize Sponsors:

Media Sponsors:

Goodrich Trucks Ltd

Kwame & Cornelia Pianim

Mingle Sportswear Shop

Yeboender Ent. Ltd

Zoe Gadegbeku

Mr. Jones Aboagye

Mrs. Estelle Appiah

Palmers Green

R & B Sports Ltd


Title Sponsor:

Prize Sponsors:

Media Sponsors:

Goodrich Trucks Ltd



Yeboender Ent. Ltd

Zoe Gadegbeku

Mr. Jones Aboagye

Mrs. Estelle Appiah

Palmers Green

R & B Sports Ltd


Title Sponsor:

Prize Sponsors:

Media Sponsors:

Goodrich Trucks Ltd



Yeboender Ent. Ltd

Zoe Gadegbeku

Mr. Jones Aboagye

Mrs. Estelle Appiah

Palmers Green

R & B Sports Ltd


Title Sponsor:

Prize Sponsors:

Media Sponsors:

Goodrich Trucks Ltd



Yeboender Ent. Ltd

Zoe Gadegbeku

Mr. Jones Aboagye

Mrs. Estelle Appiah

Palmers Green

R & B Sports Ltd


Title Sponsor:

Prize Sponsors:

Media Sponsors:

Goodrich Trucks Ltd



Yeboender Ent. Ltd

Zoe Gadegbeku

Mr. Jones Aboagye

Mrs. Estelle Appiah

Palmers Green

R & B Sports Ltd


Title Sponsor:

Prize Sponsors:

Media Sponsors:

Goodrich Trucks Ltd



Yeboender Ent. Ltd

Zoe Gadegbeku

Mr. Jones Aboagye

Mrs. Estelle Appiah

Palmers Green

R & B Sports Ltd


Title Sponsor:

Prize Sponsors:

Media Sponsors:

Goodrich Trucks Ltd



Yeboender Ent. Ltd

Zoe Gadegbeku

Mr. Jones Aboagye

Mrs. Estelle Appiah

Palmers Green

R & B Sports Ltd


Title Sponsor:

Prize Sponsors:

Media Sponsors:

Goodrich Trucks Ltd



Yeboender Ent. Ltd

Zoe Gadegbeku

Mr. Jones Aboagye

Mrs. Estelle Appiah

Palmers Green

R & B Sports Ltd


Title Sponsor:

Prize Sponsors:

Media Sponsors:

Goodrich Trucks Ltd



Yeboender Ent. Ltd

Zoe Gadegbeku

Mr. Jones Aboagye

Mrs. Estelle Appiah

Palmers Green

R & B Sports Ltd


Title Sponsor:

Prize Sponsors:

Media Sponsors:

Goodrich Trucks Ltd



Yeboender Ent. Ltd

Zoe Gadegbeku

Mr. Jones Aboagye

Mrs. Estelle Appiah

Palmers Green

R & B Sports Ltd

Sangu Delle


WHO WE AREAccess Bank Ghana is a full service commercial bank licensed by the Bank of Ghana to carry out universal banking services. We are reputed as one of the fastest growing in the industry today having demonstrated consistent growth in our financial performance over the past five years.

Through our banking business, we support the economy to prosper, enable businesses to thrive and help people to fulfill their hopes and financial aspirations. The bank serves over 280,000 customers through 44 office locations using four business segments; Corporate Banking, Commercial Banking, Business Banking, Personal Banking of which Private Banking is a major plank. As part of our long term strategy, we strive to deliver sustainable economic growth that is profitable, environmentally responsible and socially relevant.

HISTORYIn 2009, Access Bank opened its first branch office in Ghana with a strategic focus in corporate banking. With a vision of becoming one of the “Most Respected Banks in Ghana”, we have grown our banking business to rank amongst the top 10 banks in the country.

The Bank in 2012 merged its operations with the erstwhile Intercontinental Bank (“IBG”) to achieve the required scale and coverage needed to serve the growing Ghanaian retail market. Today, we have built the requisite strength and skills in corporate banking and are applying this expertise to the retail banking market.

SHAREHOLDERSThe Bank’s parent company, Access Bank Plc, is the majority shareholder in our operations.Access Bank Plc is ranked amongst the top 20 banks in Africa by assets and capital. Both the Ghana and Nigerian franchise have shareholding from multi-lateral agencies including Netherland Development Finance Company (FMO), International Finance Company (IFC) and PROPARCO

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONThe bank’s continuous investment in its operations and people has ensured that Access is well positioned to meet the growing banking needs of its customers and stakeholders. Over the years the strong presence of the bank has earned it various recognitions; most notable among them are “Bank of the Year 2013”; “Best Bank in Corporate Social Responsibility”; 1st and 2nd runners up in the “Enterprise Finance” and “Household Finance” categories respectively at the 13th Ghana Banking Awards. Previous awards by the Ghana Banking awards include Best Growing Bank 2012, Most Socially Responsible Bank, Best Bank in Agric Financing and Best Bank in Agric Financing all in 2010. Other notable awards include the GIPC recognition as a member of the Ghana Club 100 in 2013 and the Top Emerging Brand (Banking Industry) in 2013 by Premier Brands.

ACCESS BANK (GHANA) LIMITED - CORPORATE PROFILE

annual speech, prize giving and upper sixth form...

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