Authorities of the Academy of Christ the King Senior High School (SHS) in Cape Coast of Central Region, have raised serious concerns over inadequate security personnel, as the school marks 50 years of existence with its population soaring from 60 students in 1976 to 1,806 today.
The school, one of the prominent second-cycle institutions in the Central Region, currently has only one security officer manning its campuses, following the death of one of its two security men.
According to the Headmaster, Mr. Robert Stephen Reynolds, the single security officer is overwhelmed, as he is expected to protect the entire student population, staff, and school property across two different sites.
“The school’s growth has not been matched with security support. We had two security men, one recently passed away, leaving only one person to take care of 1,806 students and school properties. This is very challenging and poses a serious risk,” Mr. Reynolds lamented.
He added that the absence of a fence wall around portions of the school land has worsened the situation, exposing the school to encroachment and unauthorized entry.
“The lack of a proper perimeter wall has created security vulnerabilities. People are encroaching on our lands daily,” he said.
Academy of Christ the King SHS was founded on October 15, 1976, by the Mothers’ Union of the Anglican Church, Cape Coast, under the leadership of the late Most Rev. I. S. M. Le-Maire, Archbishop of the Province of West Africa, and the Most Rev. R. G. A. Okine, who was then Priest-in-Charge of Christ the King Parish.
It started with only 60 students, including 8 females. In January 1998, the school was absorbed by government into the public Senior Secondary School system.
Fifty years on, the school now operates both day and boarding systems. The girls’ dormitory is located at Abeadze in Cape Coast South, while the boys’ dormitory is at its new site at Abura in Cape Coast North.
School authorities say the dramatic increase in enrolment underscores the urgent need for expanded infrastructure and logistical support.
The concerns were raised during a ceremony to commission a new entrance gate, security room, and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) office, constructed for the school by the Chief of Staff of the Oguaa Traditional Council, Nana Kojo Krah I.
Mr. Reynolds commended the Chief of Staff for the gesture, describing it as timely as the school prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026. He appealed to government, old students, corporate bodies and philanthropists to emulate the gesture.
Explaining his motivation, Nana Kojo Krah I said as an indigene of Cape Coast, he felt obliged to give back to his community.
“Government is doing its best, but those of us who live close to schools must also support to ease some of the burden. As a society, let us come together to build a better future for our children,” he said.
Chairman for the occasion, the Omanhene of Oguaa Traditional Area and Central Regional Representative on the Council of State, Osabarima Dr. Kwesi Atta II, commended Nana Kojo Krah I for self-financing the projects.
He used the occasion to advise students of the school to take their studies seriously to become responsible adults in future.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by chiefs, officials of the Ghana Education Service, teachers, members of the PTA, clergy and students.
The Headmaster says while the new gate will help control entry and exit, the school still urgently needs additional security personnel and a complete fence wall to fully secure its campuses.
By Timothy Gaison
