Accra: The North Hills International School, located in North Legon, Accra, has marked its Eighth Speech, Prize-Giving, and Graduation Day, emphasizing the importance of education stakeholders' commitment to nurturing future leaders. The event highlighted the need for a holistic educational approach that balances knowledge acquisition with character, confidence, and competence development.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event featured Professor Anthony Owusu-Ansah, CEO of the Lands Commission, as the guest speaker. Professor Owusu-Ansah underscored the significance of effective communication in today's interconnected world, suggesting that success is no longer solely determined by knowledge but by the ability to communicate ideas effectively. He emphasized that confident communicators enjoy greater advantages across various life spheres.
The celebration, themed "Shaping the Future, Language and Competence," saw 86 students graduating from Kindergarten Two, Year Six, and Year Nine. Professor Owusu-Ansah stressed that the ability to articulate ideas clearly opens numerous opportunities and highlighted communication as one of the most valuable skills in the contemporary global landscape. He pointed out that a nation's greatest resource lies in its people, and the future depends on the quality of education and skills imparted to the youth.
Addressing the students, Professor Owusu-Ansah encouraged them to excel academically and become confident communicators. He advocated for developing language skills, competence, and technological awareness while upholding integrity. He praised the collaborative efforts of teachers and parents in advancing students' interests, stressing the importance of equipping children with strong communication, critical thinking, technological skills, creativity, and confidence to drive national development and compete globally.
In her welcome address, Mrs. Adu Boateng, General Manager of the school, reminded students that education extends beyond knowledge acquisition to character development. She acknowledged the dual nature of technology, offering learning opportunities and posing significant risks when misused, particularly through social media. She advised graduates to be cautious about their digital footprint and to avoid equating online popularity with personal worth.
Mrs. Boateng reiterated the school's commitment to holistic education, preparing students for life beyond examinations. She highlighted the successful introduction of the Chinese language to the curriculum and the completion of the school's digitization agenda ahead of schedule, equipping classrooms with modern technology to enhance learning experiences.
The school recognized academic excellence by awarding a 50% scholarship on tuition for exceptional students. Rev Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, President of Worldwide Miracle Outreach, commended the integration of languages like French and Chinese into the curriculum and urged parents to encourage language learning to align with global development trends.
Madam Bertha Boamah Benin, the school's administrator, expressed gratitude to over 30 sponsors and invited other organizations to partner with the school in achieving its ambitious goals. The event concluded with awards for outstanding teachers, including a 10,000c prize to Mr. Collins Siaw Darko, the overall best teacher, and commendations from Mr. Sadiq Kambala, a Chartered Accountant who chaired the occasion, urging sustained partnerships to support the school's vision for nation-building.