By Marie Aziz Tunde.
The UK Branch of the Archbishop Porters Girls’ School Past Students Association, APPSA UK, has presented a fully equipped Visual Arts Block to its Alma Mata. The fully equipped block based on International standards has Drawing platforms, Sculpture areas, Painting areas, Pottery rooms, a klin among others.
The presentation ceremony was held as part of activities earmarked for the Schools’ 56th Anniversary celebrations which will be climaxed with a Speech and and Prize Day at the school 20th November 2021.
Speaking on behalf of the UK Branch on the rationale behind choosing among other needs of the school, the provision of an Arts facility, the interim Chairperson for the Visual Arts Block, VAB, Organisation Team and a Super Sponsor , Mrs Marina Kingsley-Nyinah noted that the move is to motivate students to proudly persue Visual Arts as a course.
She said Visual Arts is not the preserve for academically dull students as is the notion of some especially in Ghana but a course which takes talent and passion to persue. Mrs.Kingsley-Nyinah said, “ today various career options including Architect,Art Consultant, Art Editor, Art Gallery Director, Artist, Cartoonist and Cinematographer are all available to decide on and are also highly lucrative.”
On the need to give back and also support one’s Alma Mata Mrs Kingsley- Nyinnah noted
“ that nothing gives me more joy and fulfillment than seeing my former school continually being classed as one of the best institutions in the country” adding that “this is the spirit that keeps the APPSA UK Branch alive to it social responsibility to their alma-mata”
“Traveling from Accra to Takoradi for the VAB commissioning, I drove past numerous school gates especially in the Central Region but getting to the Archbishop Porter Girls’ school gate which has also seen a recent facelift by another year group, I felt at home” , she noted.
”Therefore, should all Past Students Associations in the country rally support for their schools, there will be a lot of improvement in terms of expansions of dormitory blocks, classroom blocks and the provision of other amenities.”
The Western Regional Director of the Education Mrs Felicia Agyeibea Okai applauded the move by the Association confirming that the facility is of an international standard and that will give students the opportunity to learn all that pertains to the Visual Arts course.
Mrs. Okai also urged past students of all institutions to give back to their Alma Mata and also implored on the school authorities to regularly maintain the facility and also put it to the intended use.
The Hesdmistress of Archbishop Porters Girls school, Mrs Charlotte Aseidu Musa expressed gratitude to APPSA UK Branch for the VAB and promised to put it to the intended purpose.
Some current Visual Arts students who spoke to GBC News expressed joy especially on seeing some equipment that hitherto they had seen only in their text books and promised to pursue the course to the highest level to achieve their goals in future.
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