Joyce Bawah Mogtari marks 67 years of St. Francis of Assisi Girls’ SHS

Mrs. Joyce Bawah Mogtari, the Senior Presidential Advisor to President John Mahama, has commended St. Francis of Assisi Girls’ Senior High School (SHS) in Jirapa for its 67-year legacy of excellence in fostering female leadership. Speaking at the Franciscans Old Girls Association (FOGA) Homecoming event, Mrs. Mogtari, herself an alumna of the institution, celebrated the school’s enduring contribution to national development and the empowerment of women across Ghana. She emphasised that the school has been a cornerstone in shaping the character and values of generations of women.

During her address, Mrs. Mogtari urged the current student body to value their learning experiences and take their education seriously, noting that the foundation laid at the school is pivotal for their future success. She reflected on the school’s historical significance in the Upper West Region, highlighting how the values of discipline and academic rigour instilled by the institution continue to define its graduates in various professional fields. The Senior Presidential Advisor’s presence underscored the government's recognition of the school's impact on the educational landscape.

The celebration also featured contributions from other notable figures, including the Board Chairman, Reverend Father Dr. Eugene Suom-Dery. He praised the school’s historic role as a pioneer in women’s education within the northern part of the country. Supporting this sentiment, Naa Dinaa Donglabong Ganaa III, the Paramount Queen Mother of the Jirapa Traditional Area, called for sustained and increased investment in the school's infrastructure to ensure it remains a high-standard environment for teaching and learning.

The 67th-anniversary homecoming served as both a reunion for former students and a platform to advocate for continued support for girl-child education. The event highlighted the critical role that specialised institutions like St. Francis of Assisi Girls’ SHS play in bridging the gender gap in leadership. As the school enters its next chapter, the call for stakeholder collaboration remains central to maintaining its reputation as a premier centre for academic and moral excellence in Ghana.