Professor Elliot Haruna Alhassan Pro-Vice-Chancellor of University for Development Studies (UDS) has commended the Proprietor of New Life Preparatory and Junior High School and all stakeholders for demonstrating extraordinary leadership and great vision over the years in their effort and
commitment towards training qualified, dedicated, and compassionate students to contribute to improving and promoting higher education in Damongo and its environs.
He further applauded them for their support and dedication in making the school’s 25th anniversary a reality and said education is the best way to implore to train a child with strong vision.
Professor Elliott Haruna mentioned this whilst addressing participants of the 25th anniversary program in Damongo as the Key Note Speaker on 12th October, 2024.
I extend my deepest gratitude particularly to the Planning Committee, for their hard work and dedication in making this anniversary a reality. May this gathering continue to elevate the aspirations of our academic community.
I would like to acknowledge the contributions of the past and present Head Masters, Teachers and the PTA Boards of the School who had work tirelessly to bring the School thus far. I also take this opportunity to congratulate Pastor David Gbulo, the Proprietor and founder of the School for demonstrating extraordinary leadership and great vision over the years in his effort and
commitment towards training qualified, dedicated, and compassionate students to contribute to improving and promoting higher education in Damongo and its environs.
Today we gather here to celebrate a remarkable milestone – the 25th anniversary of New Life Preparatory School. This achievement is a testimony to the dedication, perseverance and the collective efforts of everyone involved in this journey. As we reflect on the past quarter century, we must remember the humble beginnings, the struggles, and the triumphs of New Life Preparatory School, he stressed.
Distinguish guest, it is important that we honor the visionaries who laid the foundation for the establishment of this school, the leaders who guided us in the course of our struggles and the team members who worked tirelessly to bring the school to this moment. Over the past 25 years, the New Life Preparatory School had done so much in bringing quality education to the doorsteps of people in its catchment areas.
As we all agree, recognizing the contributions of individuals in this academic journey is important, as it is a call for persistent effort and activism. Indeed, it serves as a call to action, inspiring all of us to actively engage in the struggle for change. As Martin Luther Jnr. Said, “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.” Therefore, the need for more efforts to effect the change is paramount, so as to put the New Life Preparatory School on the path of progress and prosperity.
He admonished the leadership of the school to remain focused and do not depart from its core values.
“Going into the future, I urge the School should focus on its core mission, vision and values. It should continue to inspire discipline and accountability on the part of teachers, students, as well as parents so that, collectively, the school can achieve the goals it had set for itself.
To the employees of the school both past and present, I extend the gratitude of the school for your hard work, loyalty and passion. Your contributions have helped brought the School where it is today.
To its partners, stakeholders, and community, the School appreciates your trust, support and collaboration in all these years, and counts on more of such collaborations, going forward.
Over the years, New Life Preparatory School has chalked many achievements such as educating hundreds and thousands of students who have passed through the School, developing innovative
curicula and programs for students, fostering partnerships with organizaions and sister schols, and receiving of awards and recognitions for excelling in its academic endeavours.
Despite the achievements attained by the School, New Life Preparatory School still face some challenges. Some of these challenges include:
Addressing diverse learning needs of its learners, managing its budget constraints,
adapting to changing educational policies in the country, and ensuring equity and inclusiveness in education.
Over the years, New Life Preparatory School has also learned some lessons, and has sought to be guided by the lessons into the future. Some of these lessons are:
That, education is the key to unlocking the potential of every child or individual.
That, collaboration and community engagement are essential to the success of education.
That, every student deserves support.
That, teaching is not just a profession, but a calling.
As the school goes into the future, it would be guided by the following:
i. Continuing innovation in teaching and learning
ії. Expanding access to education
iii. Enhancing student support services
iv. Fostering partnerships locally
V. Empowering the next generation of leaders.
The Proprietor of the school, Pastor David S. Gbulo in a short address said 25 years ago, the school started with six (6) school children and four (4) teachers at the Evangelical Church of Ghana Chapel (BCG) for a year with the aim of instilling the fear of God and providing good quality education for children to go into higher institutions and become very responsible citizens, hence it’s motto “train up a child in the way he should go and when he grows, would not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
The theme for the occasion, “25 years of Academic Excellence of education in West Gonja Municipality and beyond” is a clear manifestation of our collective goal.
He noted that the school has impacted lives across the Gonja Kingdom and beyond and currently has over 600 students.
“Am proud to announce that the school has been able to enroll students from all the Gonja districts and beyond. Today the school’s population stands at six hundred and nineteen (619) students from nursery to junior high school”.
Teachers for the nursery, primary, and junior high school are 26 now with five (5) non-teaching staff. The school also has some part time teachers for the junior high school.
He disclosed that although a Christian school, about 90% of the children are Muslims and other religions. This is a clear demonstration that there is no discrimination with regards to admissions into the school.
He established that amidst the challenges, the school has chalked a lot more achievements.
“Despite the many challenges the school is going through we have made significant achievements since its establishment.
- Our position of BECE since 2010 has been from first to fifth. The school won the MP awards for best candidates for three conservative years.
- Transformation of students’ lives through our character development gatherings, weekly and continuous counselling of our students.
3). Our students have passed through almost all the senior high schools in Savannah region and other northern regions and in most cases rose to the position of school prefects and more.
4) With regards to higher institutions, we have students who have passed through several Universities, Technical, Teacher and Nurses training colleges, and many other tertiary schools. This year, two of our old students became SRC Presidents; one at University for Development Studies and the other at Bagabaga College of Education”.
I am happy to mention to you that one of our girls is now in Ghana school of Journalism and in her final year and one already practicing journalism with Channel one TV ( Citi TV).
Human Resource Development;
- We have Eighty (80) students currently in the health sector
- Two (2) medical Doctors
- Two (2) students in the USA, one a PHD student and the other a Masters student
- One (1) in Korea
- One (1) going to Turkey this year to pursue petroleum engineering
- One (1) banker
- Twenty-Six (26) professional teachers
- Eleven (11) in the security services
- Hiba 2016 Ghana’s Most Beautiful 1st Runner up
- Four (4) in Agriculture sector
- Two (2) in forestry commission – Mole
- One (1) IT coordinator at Bimbilla Senior High School
- One (1) pastor
- District spelling ‘B’ first position in Damongo and represented the Savannah region against Northern and North East regions and also represented the three regions in Accra and placed 4th.
- Running of children’s camps in August every year in the school, among others.
Pastor David Gbulo mentioned some challenges facing the school and appealed to stakeholders for support.
More infrastructure needed to decongest student population in classes.
Special appeal to the Member of Parliament through the regional Minister for transport for educational purposes.
The school needs a library block and ICT laboratory to promote learning.
He concluded by thanking all stakeholders who have supported the school for the 25 years of existence and assured that his doors are widely opened for support and partnership.
Tunawura Sarfo Amantana, the Chairman for the program challenged parents and other stakeholders to ensure children are raised with a clear disciplinary attitude. This he said will help reduce crime and related activities in the country.
John Mahama, NDC flag bearer made a donation of ten thousand Ghana cedis (GHC10,000) to the school.
The program was graced by traditional and religious leaders, parents, security services, old students, students, among others.
Abdulai Zulkaninu
