As Ghana marked its 69th anniversary of independence on Friday, March 6, 2026, the headteacher, facilitators, and learners of Our Lady of Assumption (OLA) Roaman Catholic Basic School ‘1’ at New Achimota, Accra, have officially launched a flagship programme dubbed: Heritage Month, on the theme: Embracing Our Roots: Celebrating Ghana’s Legacy.
The launch was held on Thursday, March 5, 2026, and featured the preparation of our local dishes. Foods cooked included: fufu and light soup, konkonte with groundnut soup, Ampesi with kontomire, Red Red (Gob3), Tuo Zaafi, kenkey and Fried fish, and banku and Fante Fante stew.
Launching the Month, Ms. Gloria Stephanie Neequaye said some activities have been planned for the month, including Ghanaian Language Day, where children will be allowed to speak their mother tongue, and Traditional Day, where they will be dressed in their traditional apparel to showcase their cultural heritage.
According to her, there would also be a Ghanaian history quiz to test the children’s understanding of Ghanaian cultural and traditional values. The month would be climaxed with Traditional games, she added.
Speaking to Newswatchgh.com after the launch, Ms. Neequaye said, “The heritage month aims to raise awareness of Ghana’s culture among young learners.”
“It provides opportunities for our learners to learn from one another, honour the contributions of many cultures and traditions, and deepen our shared commitment to mutual respect,” she stated.
According to her, “The celebration supports our mission of encouraging dialogue, understanding, and appreciation across differences.”
Sharing her personal impression about the launch and cooking of traditional foods, the headteacher said: “It was fantastic, but I also realised that our learners need support when it comes to house chores.”
The learners who participated in the cooking were excited and ready to learn. Above all, the joy on their faces showed that they were proud of their culture.
Some of the learners who spoke to Newswatchgh.com appreciated the nutritional value of their local dishes and their importance to their health.
The facilitators who guided the learners in the cooking commended the initiative. They expressed their readiness to coach learners and proposed more of those activities.
OLA R/C Basic ‘1’ is one of the Schools of the Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church alongside OLA R/C Basic ‘2’. Both Schools have headteachers, teachers, School Management Committee, and Parent Teacher Association (PTA), and a Local Manager, who is the Parish Priest, managing both Schools.
Last year, 2025, two Teachers from OLA R/C Basic ‘1’ School were awarded at the maiden MP’s Teacher Awards 2025 and Appreciation in the Ga North Municipality for their excellent performance as educators.
The headteacher, Madam Gloria Stephanie Neequaye, was adjudged the Best Headteacher in the Ga North Municipality in recognition of her exemplary leadership, integrity, and transformative impact on schools and the wider educational community while Mr. Elvis Ofori Gyamfi, a Ghanaian Language (Twi) teacher at OLA R/C Basic ‘1’ School, also received the 2nd runner-up award in the JHS Category in recognition of his remarkable contributions, steadfast devotion to learner success, and impact on the JHS Pupils.
The awards were presented at a ceremony held at the Asofan Presbyterian Church on Friday, December 12, 2025, organised by the Ga North Municipal Education Directorate and the Office of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Trobu Constituency, Hon. Gloria Owusu.
Dubbed MP’s Teacher Awards 2025 and Appreciation, the ceremony was on the theme: “Sustaining Our Progress: Enhancing Teacher Welfare and Celebrating Professional Excellence.”
By Damian Avevor
