In March of 2020, the Government of Ghana mandated the closing of all schools in our country. After a long three months, final-year students at the senior high level were directed to return to school. Under tight and constrained protocols, we were able to welcome back 254 students as they prepared for graduation.
Preparing to Reopen School
Taking into consideration all coronavirus precautions and protocols from the World Health Organization, the Ghana Health Services (GHS) and the Ghana Education Service (GES), School management met and proposed OLAG customized protocols, which were approved by the school Board on Friday, June 12, 2020.
Only four days later on June 16, we hit the ground running with a three-day training and workshop for all staff, focusing on responding to the needs of our current reality, while still keeping our school’s mission and vision front and center. We covered everything from changing job descriptions and protocols to leveraging data and IT to improve the overall performance of the school. We also provided an entire session dedicated to discussing all of the approved protocols for preventing and combatting an outbreak of the pandemic.
In addition to training, we needed to purchase and position essential equipment and tools such as hand washing basins, paper products, masks, and other medical and sanitation supplies. We are so grateful for those who assisted in these investments, particularly Solrich Digital Consult, OLAG parents, Mr. and Mrs. Kyere-Frimpong, and the Ghana Education Service!
Staying Healthy
In order to ensure that the health of all students and staff is well taken care of, the Government instructed schools to be mapped up with a local facility, which in our case is the Mamponteng Polyclinic. We are fully supported by both the administrator, Dr. Michael Awuah, and our local Municipal Health Director. Both of these medical doctors, having visited our school and met with our COVID-19 Team, the school nurses, management and staff, expressed their enthusiastic approval of our preparedness for any Covid-19 and other health emergencies, adding that they wished all schools were in similar state of preparedness.
Upon Dr. Awuah’s recommendation, the school made dietary adjustments to help improve students’ immune systems. In support of this effort, a parent of one of our students, Mrs. Justina Baidoo, has generously supplied us with fruits worth about GHC4000 so far. Words of praise go for her and her family.
Returning to Campus & Resuming Lessons
Upon arrival, students received an orientation to update them on the various protocols going into effect. Classes started the next day and continued through Friday, July 24. Thanks to the cooperation and hard work of our amazing teachers, all the various syllabi were covered, and I believe that our students have been prepared for their examinations. What we need now is prayers from all!
Our Spiritual Life
In order to continue to make the sacraments available to our students and abide by social distancing guidelines, we have divided our students into three Mass groups, each assigned to attend a 6:30 AM daily Mass on either Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, and separated across three Sunday Masses. We have been greatly blessed by God through these Masses and other prayers, as well as your fervent prayers for us.
Final Examinations & Concluding the School Year
The time is due for students to take one of the most important tests of their life: the West African Secondary Schools Certificate Examinations (WASSCE). For our young people, this is the passport into acceptance at a university or college. Each student writes on a minimum of eight subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science, Social Studies, and four elective subjects. The Visual Arts Students have already started their practical work, and the rest will begin throughout the month of August. Please join us in praying for our fifth graduating class as they go through their examinations, which will extend through September. It is our fervent hope that their success provides them the opportunity to continue their education, bringing great hope to their families, our school, and our nation!
A Growing Campus
Underway Projects
2 Flats of Teachers Bungalows to host 24 teachers
Boys Dormitory to bring the total dormitories to 6 (3 for girls and 3 for boys)
School Clinic and Creativity/Multipurpose Center
Future Projects
Science Laboratories for Physics, Chemistry and Biology
Conference Rooms
Accommodations for Assistant Nurse and kitchen staff.
These magnificent projects will enhance the facilities of the school, truly making us world class as we provide for our legacy in Ghana.
Thank you!
We are forever indebted to our major donors, Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Edina, MN, the Ghana Committee in the parish, our generous benefactors and benefactresses, our Bishop Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, the School Board, Fr. Paul Attah-Nsiah and Fr. Robert Schwartz, the visionaries who started the school, the team of oversight committee members, the St. Jospeh the Worker Parish in Mamponteng in Ghana, parents, management and staff, Past Students of OLAG, current students and all stakeholders. Your love and generosity inspires our continued optimism!