ACCRA GIRLS HISTORY
Accra Girls Senior High School (formerly known as Accra Girls Secondary School) was established in 1960 as one of the Ghana Education Trust Schools. The history of the Ghana Education Trust Schools dates back to the 1950 and 1960s which marked a period of self-governance in administration under the distinguished leadership of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
There were only a few schools then and as a result a few educated people, a situation which did not befit our status as a country. It was therefore crucial to expand education with the sole aim of producing people who would live commendable and morally upright lives while serving the manpower needs of the nation for national development.
The Government, therefore, introduced the Accelerated Development Plan of Education to increase the infrastructure of Government-assisted schools. To achieve this aim, the Education Trust was established. The main source of the Trust Fund was the monies accrued from the sale of cocoa.
This Fund was used to establish a number of Primary and Secondary Schools, one of which was Accra Girls Secondary School. The School, among others, was established to effectively train and educate teenagers of school-going age to cater for the manpower and socio-economic needs of the nation. The school commenced on the 30th of September under the headship of Miss Blanch Gibson, an expatriate. In a month’s time, the school which began with an initial 12 students (both day and boarding students) had increased to 75 with five teachers namely Miss Leana Beale, Miss Mercer, Mrs. Paulina Buckman, Mrs. Irene Darkwah, and Mrs. Blanch Gibson. Over the years, the school has seen a tremendous increase in the number of both staff and students. In its fifty years of existence, the school has carved a niche for itself by maintaining enviable academic excellence, progress, and a high level of discipline. Irrespective of the scanty material and human resources available, the school has made a conscious effort to mobilize these resources in order to achieve greater heights. The message portrayed by the Crest always serves as a driving force and inspiration for both teachers and students. The pioneering staff of the school is credited with the design of such a crest.
The crest is made up of the eagle, a book, and a pen, which indicates that students are expected to be sharp-sighted, keen, and enduring in their academic work. The motto “AIM HIGH” implies that the sky should be the limit for students in their academic pursuits and never pave way for mediocrity or complacency. The first headmistress, Mrs. Blanch Gibson left the school at the end of the first year (1960-1961), and Mrs Barbara Oddoye (1961-1962) and Marjorie Bulley (1962), in succession, took over the administration of the school for the second year. In 1962, Mrs. Gloria Aryee assumed office as the 4th Headmistress (1962-1979: 17 solid years – so far the longest) and was succeeded in 1979 by Mrs. Beatrice Sey, who acted for three years (1979-1981). From 1981-1995, the 6th headmistress, Mrs. Kate Cobbinah held that office and was succeeded in 1995 by Ms. Bertha Clottey (1995-2002) as the 7th.
The 8th head and current Headmistress of the school is Mrs. Veronica Akapame (2002 – to date) It is worth mentioning that the current Assistant Headmistress, Mrs Constance Mante is an old student. There has been a significant increase in the student population over the years. Today, Accra Girls, which ranks among the top girls’ schools in the country, has a population of 1,470 students with about 50 teaching staff and 51 non-teaching staff. It has three dormitories that accommodate 720 students, while 20 of its teaching staff live on the campus.
SCHOOL CREST - COMPOSITION
The AGISS Crest is composed of a shield within a circle; the top part portrays an Eagle with a pen in its beak standing on a book and the lower part has the AGISS motto: AIM HIGH. The following are the symbols in the shield and their meaning. The message portrayed by the Crest always serves as a driving force and inspiration for both teachers and students. The pioneering staffs of the school are credited with the design of such a crest. The crest is made up of the eagle, a book, and a pen, which indicates that students are expected to be sharp-sighted, keen, and enduring in their academic work. The motto “AIM HIGH” implies that the sky should be the limit for students in their academic pursuits and never pave way for mediocrity or complacency.
SYMBOLS AND MEANINGS
THE EAGLE
Represents sharp-sightedness
THE PEN AND THE BOOK
Stands for the academic excellence that has to be achieved.
THE MOTTO
AIM HIGH is found under the shield. The motto aim high implies that the sky should be the limit for students in their academic pursuit and never to pave way for mediocrity or complacency.
SCHOOL ANTHEM
Accra Girls’ Secondary School
Though my pride, my greatest pride
That wilt thou expect of me
I’ll do it with my might
In all aspects of School life
I shall try to do my best
A shinny example
I must be to my friends
As a student of the school
Or when an old girl I am
I shall do all that I can
It’s great name to uphold
Loyalty and purity
Honesty in all I do
These are qualities
That I pray God me to give
SCHOOL HYMM
We bless thee Lord for all this common life
Can give of rest and Joy Amidst its strife,
For earth and trees and sea and clouds and spring
For work and all the lessons that it brings;
For Africa gleams of newer fairer truth,
Which ever ripening still renews our youth;
For fellowship with noble souls and wise,
Which hearts beat time to music and skies
For each achievement human toil can reach;
For all that patriots win, and poets teach;
For the old light that gleams on history’s page
For the new hope that shines on each new page.
Many we to these our lights be ever true,
Find the hope and strength and joy forever new
To heavenly visions still obedient prove,
To eternal law, written by the almighty love