The Old Achimotan Association (OAA) 1968 Year Group recently performed a sod cutting ceremony to commence work on the expansion of the Parade Grounds of the Achimota School Cadet Corps and the renovation of the Armoury Building. The project is the centerpiece of the Year Group’s 50th anniversary celebration of graduating from Achimota School.

The sod cutting ceremony for this huge project took place on the Cadet Corps grounds. In attendance were Akora Osei Kwame Agyeman, Chairman of the School Board; Akora Mrs Beatrice Adom, Headmistress of the school; members of the 1968 Year Group led by its President, Akora Gwenda Sam; and representatives of the student body.

The School's Cadet Corps has a purpose built square, which was constructed in the sixties when the student population was 800. With a current student body of 3,000, the parade grounds can no longer accommodate the increased number of cadets, not to mention the students, staff, parents and guests who congregate to watch parades on ceremonial occasions.

The OAA 1968 Year Group therefore selected this project in response to the School’s mandatory requirement that every year group must adopt and renovate a project in the school for its golden jubilee celebration.

Giving an overview of the project, Akora Ingr. Michael Addo indicated that the project will involve extending the parade grounds to accommodate more cadets, with terraced seating for spectators. The armoury building will also be renovated to include extra facilities. The project is expected to be completed in time for Achimota School’s Founders Day in March 2018.

Founded in 1955, the Achimota School Cadet Corps was the first to be established in Ghana. Originally, admission to the Corps was limited to boys, but has since the mid-seventies been opened to girls to satisfy the core ideals on which Achimota School was founded – equal opportunity for both boys and girls. Products of the Corps have served the country in many leadership positions, both in military and civilian life.