The president of the 2003 year group of Aburi Girls Senior High School Nana Ayesua Tham-Akowuah has said year group associations must become a key part of second-cycle education in Ghana.

She made the comments on Saturday, April 1, 2023, when she spoke to journalists at a mammoth and well-organised event to revive activism of the 2003 year group of Aburi Girls Senior High School.

Over 150 members of the 2003 year group came together to brainstorm ways to grow their group amid music, dancing, games and food.

Nana Ayesua disclosed that members of her year group are committed to staying in touch regularly to support their alma mater and each member.

She said the high-enrolment figures at many senior high schools across the country compels major stakeholders in education, including PTAs, churches and year group associations to intensify their support.

“Aburi Girls year group associations have been providing accommodation for staff; we are refurbishing buildings and building science labs and these help our alma mater. For us the 2003 year group, it’s been 20 years since we left school and this is the very first major activity we have had.

“We intend to grow this year group to become viable and roll out initiatives that will benefit the school and us members. Year groups offer members the opportunity to continue being a family and extend help to each other in times of need,” Nana Ayesua said at the event held at the serene Aburi Botanical Gardens.

The 2003 year group also intends to make mentorship programmes for continuing students a regular feature in the future.

“One of the biggest challenges for the young girls is trying to figure out a career path at that young age. So with the help of our old girls who have many noble and satisfying professions from food industry to medical to the IT sector, we look to bring to bear our experiences and expertise in organising periodic career days to guide them in career progression and the study path to get there,” Nana Ayesua explained.

The all-girls school was established in 1946 and is among the best public schools in Ghana.

Between 2011 and 2015 the Eastern Region-based school won the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)’s best school for Mathematics and Science.