The Swedru Senior High School (SWESCO) community has expressed concern over the sudden transfer of the school’s headmistress, Golda Andam, a move some alumni claim may have been influenced by political pressure.
Miss Andam, an alumna of the school, has been widely credited with helping to revive the institution in recent years by restoring discipline, improving academic performance and strengthening ties with the school’s alumni association.
According to alumni sources, her leadership also helped attract support for infrastructure development and academic improvement initiatives.
However, her strict management style reportedly led to disagreements with some political figures in the area.
Alumni claim that a local Member of Parliament accused the headmistress of disrespect during earlier interactions. The situation reportedly escalated after the MP requested the admission of 52 students during the most recent senior high school placement exercise.
According to the alumni association, academic records showed that only five of the students had aggregates below 30, while the rest scored between 35 and 48, which is above the school’s usual admission threshold.
Miss Andam is said to have admitted 42 of the students after sustained pressure but declined the remaining 10 on academic grounds.
Sources allege she was warned of consequences if she refused to admit all the applicants.
Shortly afterwards, the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service issued a directive transferring Miss Andam from the school, with instructions for her to vacate the post by March 12.
The timing of the transfer has raised concerns among alumni, as the school is preparing for its Alumni Homecoming and Speech and Prize-Giving Day scheduled for March 20 and 21.
The alumni association warned that the sudden change in leadership could disrupt preparations and slow the progress the school has made in recent years.
Alumni sources also claim that the Member of Parliament proposed that the constituency vice chairman of the National Democratic Congress and a former teacher of the school be appointed as the new head.
The alumni association described the development as troubling, raising concerns about possible political interference in the management of educational institutions.
Old students in Ghana and abroad have begun consultations on possible steps to challenge the transfer.
They emphasised that leadership decisions affecting the school should be guided by professional standards and the long-term interests of students rather than political considerations.
