It will include a mechanised water system and the construction of a complete perimeter wall.

Water for learning, not queuing

Speaking at the launch, the National Vice-President of NUHOPSA, Mary Brown, explained that the water situation at the school had remained dire for decades.

She recalled that in the 1960s, students had to fetch icy water from the valley for daily use.

“Today, with thousands of students, many still spend valuable hours queuing for water instead of being in class. This should not be so,” she said.

Mrs Brown said the water project, led by the 2001 Year Group, would drill four mechanised boreholes with solar-powered pumps.

The boreholes were expected to deliver 11,000 gallons of water daily and would include hand-washing stations across campus to improve hygiene.

Interventions

The Headmistress of Holy Child School, Linda Appiah, described the initiatives as timely and lifesaving interventions that directly respond to the school’s most pressing challenges.

She explained that Cape Coast and the Central Region suffered perennial water shortages, which often left the school with inadequate water supply for the students.

She emphasised that the situation had not only affected hygiene and sanitation on campus but also disrupted academic routines, as students spent several hours searching for water before and after classes.

“With more than 2,700 girls in residence, the lack of water is not just an inconvenience; it is a serious health and academic concern. The new mechanised system will ensure that every student has access to clean and reliable water, which will improve sanitation and give them more time to concentrate on their studies,” she said.

On security, Mrs Appiah recounted that the broken perimeter walls had, for nearly a decade, left the campus vulnerable to intruders, creating an unsafe learning environment for both students and staff.

“There have been times when we felt exposed because the school’s borders were not secure.

This initiative to rebuild the wall will give us peace of mind, knowing that the safety of our students is being prioritised,” she stated.

Sustaining tradition

The Guest Speaker, Isabel Boaten, a Managing Partner of AB & David Ghana, lauded the alumni for what she described as a demonstration of true leadership and service.

She noted that the choice of projects, water and security reflected NUHOPSA’s deep understanding of the real challenges confronting students and the foresight to invest in practical solutions that would outlive the anniversary celebrations.

“These projects go beyond symbolism.

They are about solving everyday problems that hinder teaching and learning.

A school cannot thrive if its students do not have water to drink, bathe or wash, or if they constantly live in fear of intrusions.

By tackling these issues, NUHOPSA is giving back in the most meaningful way,” she said.

Mrs Boaten further highlighted the role of alumni in sustaining the tradition of excellence that Holy Child School is known for.

She said the theme was not only a celebration of past achievements but also a call to action for continued commitment to nation-building.

She urged corporate bodies, philanthropists and other stakeholders to partner with NUHOPSA in delivering the legacy projects, emphasising that investing in education infrastructure was a direct investment in the country’s future.

“Holy Child School has, for eight decades, nurtured women who have risen to prominence in every field from education, law, medicine and public service to entrepreneurship and the arts.

Supporting this institution means supporting the grooming of the next generation of impactful women,” she added.