The 1994 Year Group of Sogakofe Senior High School (SOSA ’94) marked their 30th anniversary, a significant milestone, with a focus on the impacts of Artificial Intelligence education and the job market in Ghana and beyond.
Held on the theme: ‘Artificial Intelligence: The Implications for the Future of Jobs and Cyber Security,’ the anniversary celebrations were designed to be far more than a nostalgic reunion for alumni.
They represented a call to action, a moment of reflection on how current and future students can prepare for the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
The event was a convergence of tradition, technological foresight, and community spirit, drawing attention to the role of AI in shaping the future of employment and cybersecurity.
The theme for the anniversary was not only timely but essential, given the rapid integration of AI into every aspect of life.
The event delved deep into how AI is transforming job opportunities, especially in emerging economies like Ghana, where the education
system is striving to adapt to the changes brought by automation and machine learning.
It was to ensure that Sogakofe Senior High students are adequately prepared to harness these opportunities rather than be displaced by them.
Another critical issue addressed during the anniversary celebration was cybersecurity as industries and educational institutions become increasingly digitized, the risks associated with data breaches and cyberattacks grow.
In a keynote address during the Speech and Prize Giving Day to climax the anniversary, an esteemed academic and technology expert, Prof. Clement Dzidonu, emphasized the dual need for both proactive cybersecurity measures and the development of a workforce skilled in defending digital infrastructure.
Such discussions are vital as the Sogakofe Senior High School community looks to leverage AI responsibly while protecting against its inherent risks.
He added that AI would not take anybody’s job except those who did not embrace it as a companion.
The Headmaster of
Sogakofe Senior High School, Mr. Newman H. K. Dziedzoave highlighted the efforts being made to incorporate more technology-based learning into the school’s curriculum.
With the support of alumni such as SOSA ’94, the school aims to develop programmes that equip students with critical skills in coding, data analytics, and cybersecurity.
He lauded SOSA ’94 for its unparalleled contributions as seen on campus through the provision of television sets, renovating and restocking the school clinic, renovating the stage in the assembly hall and Volta River spillage disaster support, among others.
Currently, the student population stands at 3,693 made up of 1,980 girls and 1,713 boys, who are served by 173 teaching and 75 non-teaching staff.
The school presents over 1,000 students every year for the West Africa Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and has always obtained an average performance of 80 per cent.
The school came tops in the Energy Commission Renewable Challenge in 2023. The school
currently has its own solar power and does not fully depend on the national grid by the Electricity Company of Ghana.
The Civil Educational Club of the School is currently the best in Ghana for peer education.
However, the headmster said the school continued to face infrastructural challenges, including the damage to the senior classroom block, administration block and headmaster’s bungalow as a result of a rain storm and the damage to the school gate by some boys from Comboni Technical Vocational Institute.
He also mentioned the need for toilets and washrooms for boys and girls, dining hall furniture, bunk beds and the need to refurbish the science labs as major concerns.
He challenged the National SOSA executives to design a model so other year groups could emulate the efforts of SOSA ’94.
The DCE of South Tongu District, Mr Innocent Lynford Kwesi Tetteh, in his address, approved the immediate construction of the toilet and shower rooms for the school.
He challenged the alumni to support Sogasco to fi
ght and ensure that they get to the finals of the Ghana Science and Maths Quiz in 2024 and bring the cup to the region for the first time.
The Chairman of the Anniversary Celebration, Colonel Noble Carl Doe Dei-Alorse, the Chief Coordinator of the Ghana Military Academy, focused his speech on how the future workforce must prepare for automation and data-driven decision-making.
He advocated for greater collaboration between educational institutions and the business community to ensure students were equipped with industry-relevant skills.
The President of the SOSA ’94 Year Group, Dr. Godfred Amewu, shared insights on the role of alumni in fostering school development.
He said their contributions go beyond financial support and involved mentorship, career guidance, and building lasting networks that benefit both the students and the school community at large.
He said SOSA ’94 had been instrumental in funding various school projects, including infrastructure development, career fair and focusing their annive
rsary on emerging topics like AI.
There were presentations from alumni leaders. Notable activities undertaken during the anniversary included a Keep Fit session, Career Fair in collaboration with ABSA Bank, and an official homecoming of alumni groups.
The Career Fair was particularly noteworthy in that it inspired the next generation of leaders by giving them insights into different career paths and provided practical knowledge about the skills needed in today’s competitive job market
Source: Ghana News Agency