Dear Akora,
Last Friday, I joined Akora Shanti McCarthy (1990) for an interview on “Time with Shanti”. It was the second part of a 3-part interview I agreed to do to explain several matters of interest to Akoras all over the world.
In the second interview, we talked about the land issues and the challenges of the Achimota School Endowment Trust Fund (ASETF).
In discussing the Trust Fund, I mentioned a proposal to raise$1 million over one year. This would revamp the Fund enormously, bringing its total investments up from the current $42,000. Since mentioning this, I have been overwhelmed by the number of Akoras who think it’s a brilliant idea and are willing to contribute to it.
Akora Joel Nettey (OAA Vice President) suggested during the interview that if 1000 Akoras contributed $1000 each, that would give us our $1 million. It sounds easy, doesn’t it?
The purpose of this longish message to you is to encourage you to reflect deeply on how you and your friends can contribute to the ideas and to the Fund.
The fuller idea is to put in place a number of things to improve significantly the quality of Achimota School education before the School turns 100 in a few years. These include enhancing governance at the School with a fairly independent Board and Management that is fully in charge of the School’s assets and liabilities. This is to be proposed formally to the Government of Ghana soon.
Along this path, the OAA would like a well- and professionally-managed ASETF with a total investment base of $10 million by the time we celebrate 100 years of Achimota School.
Also, as part of the Centenary celebration the OAA would like to present a gift of an ultra-modern Auditorium with a seating capacity of 250 to Achimota School. Our intention is to get the Trust Fund to take responsibility for capital developments at the School subsequently, and be responsible for supporting the maintenance of such facilities. This will include the new Science Block.
At the upcoming AGM, we shall present these formally to Akoras for acceptance.
What I would like you to do is to bring these ideas to your Year Group for discussion. Please persuade your colleagues that they are important matters that require full participation by all, both at the individual level and at the Year Group level.
For the $1 million immediate campaign, we propose to erect a short wall near the Administration Block that will have the names of all the $1000+ contributors engraved for posterity. All other contributions will certainly be accepted, and there will be other forms of acknowledgment and recognition for them. Indeed there will be enough space on the wall for all major donors as we push towards the auditorium and $10million for 2027.
I am happy to say that, so far 8 people have pledged $1000each. This is certainly a great way to begin, and I thank them for their support.
Please discuss this with your friends, families and Year Group members.
It would also be great if you joined in the discussions at the AGM where we will agree on a formal launch date.
I am counting on you.
Ernest Aryeetey
OAA President
FULL PDF VIEW
