Accra, Ghana//Old Students of Yendi Senior High School (SHS) living in Accra today defied downpour to embark on the 50th anniversary’s health walk to create awareness on the activities line-up for the celebrations.
The walk which started from the Ayi Mensah Toll Booth and ended at Aburi Mountains lasted over two hours.
Speaking after the walk, Alhaji Mutaru Goro Iddrisu, National President of Old Students of the Yendi SHS popularly known as Royals, said the purpose of the health walk was to create awareness about the anniversary’s activities among themselves and the general public.
Similar health walks Alhaji Iddrisu said would be held in Tamale, the Northern regional capital; and Yendi, the traditional capital of Dagbon.
He added that walks formed part of effort of creating awareness on the main anniversary which falls on the 28th May 2022 which is expected to be graced by the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, as the Special Guest of Honour.
Alhaji Iddrisu also stated that His Royal Majesty, Yaa Na Abukari Mahama II will be the Guest of Honour for the occasion, while the Grand Durbar would be chaired by the Vice Chancellor, Tamale Technical University (TATU), Professor Abass Braimah.
The Guest Speaker for the day according to him would be the former Pro Vice Chancellor, University for Development Studies (UDS), Professor Seidu Alhassan.
Other activities
The weeklong celebration is expected to commence on Sunday, May 22, 2022. Some of the activities lined up for the occasion include Float through some principal streets in Yendi, Inter-House Debate competition, Clean Up exercises, Symposium, Video Shows, Fun Games, Cultural Performances, among others.
Development projects
Alhaji Iddrisu was quick to add that a number of development projects have been undertaken by the Royals to give a face-lift to the school which is the first Senior Secondary in the capital of Dagbon kingdom, Yendi. It was established in November 1970 under the able leadership of Mr. C.B.A Teviu, the first headmaster of the school.
He revealed that 90% of the existing infrastructure of the school had been renovated by the Royals, while the main entry entrance gate of the school had also been modernised.
“Undertaking development projects in the school is the hallmark of the anniversary. In fact, the Royals all over the world have come together to give back to the school. We have organised ourselves into year groups. So these year groups have undertaken a number of development projects.
If you go to the school now, we have renovated 90% of the infrastructure. And we have built every beautiful, complex and very gargantuan entrance gate of the school”, Alhaji Iddrisu elaborated to journalists during an interview.
Some of development projects he mentioned are the renovation of almost all the classroom blocks in the school. renovation of some of the dormitories, renovation of the school’s computer lab, renovation of the library of the school, renovation of streetlights in the school, and purchase of sport kits for the school. So, by the 50th year of the school, it will turn brand new school.
What next after the anniversary?
“You know that education is continuous. So, we will continue to support the school. We will now from the physical to the nontangible which are the attitudes, behavioural, discipline, among others to improve on the academic performance.
So, we will work closely with the administration of the school, we work closely with the teachers and students to provide motivate packages for them to improve on the academic performance of the school. So that the school can participate in the National Mathematics and Science Quiz. Our name will be on top, so Ghanaians should watch-out for Yendi Senior School”.
Alhaji Iddrisu used the opportunity to all the Royals and associate members of the school for their unflinching support. He also thanked companies and individuals for their generous support.
Contribution to human resource development
On his part, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Mion in the Northern Region and a product of the school, Abdul-Aziz Ayaba Musah said the school has contributed greatly to the human resource base of the region and the country at large.
According to him, they are other four MPs in the current eighth Parliament of Ghana who are products of the Yendi Senior High School. These he mentioned are the MP for Chereponi, Razak Tahiru; MP and Deputy Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Amidu Issahaku Chinnia; MP for Sagnarigu, A.B.A Fuseini; and MP for Savelugu, Alhaji Jacob Iddrisu.
Mr Musah noted that over the past 50 years, the school has produced very renowned personalities. Some of these personalities he said include Dr. Abu Sakara Foster, the onetime Presidential Candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), the late Mustapha Ali Iddris, former Minister for Works & Housing, Lawyer Larry Jiagge (CEO of Risk Management &Advisory Services Ltd. Ghana).
A former master of the school, Ambassador Ibrahim Abass who joined the Royals for the health walk, appealed to former masters of the school to come out to support the celebrations.
African Eye Report
