Accra, July 18, GNA - Educational institutions need the support of past students, parents and guardians to improve facilities to promote teaching and learning if they are to become first-class schools.

Mr. Daniel Nii Okai, Chairman of the Interim Planning Committee for the 80th Anniversary Celebration of the Richard Akwei Memorial School, at Ayalolo, told the Ghana News Agency, in Accra, at the weekend.

He noted that since the government alone could not provide all of their needs through its limited resources, past students, parents and guardians, corporate bodies and organisations in communities they are situated should help to enable the youth as future leaders to have quality education.

Mr. Okai, who is also the Chairman of the School's Management Committee, said activities to mark the anniversary would be launched on the July 27, this year, at the school, which is in the in the Ashiedu Keteke Sub-metropolitan area.

He appealed to past pupils, members of Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and the community to participate actively to make the celebration a success.

A Member of the Planning Committee and Chairman of the PTA, Mr. Samuel Armah, said the school was established in 1930 as the Gold Coast National School by the Late Richard Akwei.

He stated that it was re-named Ghana National School on the attainment of the country's independence in 1957, but changed later to Richard Akwei Memorial School to immortalize the name of the Founder.

Mr. Armah described the founder as a "great disciplinarian," a leading member of the Red Cross Society, the Scout Movement, and a nationalist who was a prominent member of the "Maanbii" Party and a member of the Accra City Council.

He said activities for the celebration would include a homecoming of Old Pupils, candlelight procession through the principal streets of the community, an essay competition, and a culture and drama night.

The anniversary would be climaxed with a speech and prize-giving day, on October 30.

Facilities in the school include a Special Educational Needs Department, which was established with the assistance of the British High Commission, a Counselling and Drama Therapy Centre, a Vocational Skills Workshop and a Computer Laboratory.

Prominent old pupils of the school include, General E. A. Erskine, former Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, Professor E. N. Tagoe, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Mr Okai, who is also the Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress in the Area, Mr Armah, also Constituency Organiser and a Member of the Sub-Metropolitan Council, and Mr. Oblie Armah, an Architect and Real Estate Developer.