The school that President Akufo-Addo attended, Kinbu Senior High Technical School (SHTS), has launched its 150 years anniversary celebration and unveiled the anniversary Logo, with a call by the Board Chairman, John Mensah Anang, on all stakeholders to unite in fostering an environment of creativity, critical thinking and collaboration to continue building future leaders for the nation.

Speaking at the main launch of the 150 years Anniversary at the auditorium of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), the Board Chairman acknowledged the visionaries who laid the foundation for the school to achieve this historic milestone of a century and a half of educational excellence, resilience and transformative impact on the lives of countless students including the sitting President of the Republic of Ghana.

The Headmistress of the school, Sylvia M. Letcher-Teye, presented historical phases that the school has undergone from 1874 to its current state.

The phase one was in the era of the British Governor Samuel Rowe. The school existed as two primary schools, James Town and Adabraka. Upon completion of the primary education, the boys continued at Government Boys’ School while the girls went to Government Girls’ School near the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Accra.

The phase two occurred during the introduction of the 1976 Educational Reform Programme in Ghana. This reform phased out Kinbu Middle Boys School for the establishment of the first then Experimental Junior Secondary School as a Pilot Programme in Ghana. In 1987, the school metamorphosed to Kinbu Junior Secondary School when the Educational Reform Programme became universal.

Phase three saw the school change its courses to include technical programmes, so the school’s name changed to Kinbu Secondary Technical School in 1991.

The final phase four occurred in 2006 when WAEC switched its examination from the Senior Secondary Schools Certificate Examination (SSSCE) to West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). This modified the names of Senior Secondary Schools to Senior High Schools, hence, Kinbu Secondary Technical School also became Kinbu Senior High Technical School.

The Headmistress added that the school is proud to say that the first Gentleman of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was a product of the school.

She mentioned some distinguished Kinbu Old Students Association (KOSA). Members who have distinguished themselves in their various public and private lives include Prof. Nii Otu Nartey – (KOSA-1960), former CEO of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital; the late Nat Nunoo Amarteifio, former Mayor of Accra; Nii Aryee Krotia, a.k.a, George M. Aryee, Development Chief of James Town; Isaac Nortey (KOSA-1960), Labour Union Activist, USA; Rev. Nii John Gershong (KOSA-1963), Missiologist and Dr. Ishmael Nii Amanor Dodoo of United Nations and many more.

The chairman of the main launch ceremony, George Asamaney Ampofo Esq. urged the students to embrace discipline as a personal responsibility and a key to unlock the doors to academic excellence, personal development and future success.

He said in the 150 years anniversary celebration of Kinbu, it is fitting to acknowledge the pivotal role played by the government’s Free Senior High School policy.

He explained that the policy has not only expanded access to education but has also been a beacon of hope for countless students who, without it, might not have had the chance to pursue their dreams.

Unveiling the Anniversary Logo, the President of Kinbu Old Students Association (KOSA), Ing. Joseph Kwasi Oddei, called on all old students of the school, including President Akufo-Addo, to rally behind the school and provide support to ensure the anniversary becomes a success.

He said the anniversary, which is a full year celebration in 2024, will be climaxed with a Speech and Prize Giving Day on Saturday, September 28, 2024. The anniversary is under the theme: “Equipping Our Future Leaders with the 21st Century Skills – The Roles of the Stakeholders”. Providing the purpose of gathering, the Assistant Headmaster, Academic of Kinbu SHTS, David Tettey Tawiah explained that the Pre-Speech & Prize Giving Day activities include: Fun Games, KOSA Homecoming, Health screening, Clean-up exercise, Float and other reunion activities