On July 21, 2025, St. James Academy, Sunyani-Abesim in the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani, Bono Region of Ghana held its first Graduation of Kindergarten (KG) 2 Pupils to Class 1 and Class 6 Pupils to Junior High School (JHS) 1 at the School’s premises.
St. James Academy is managed by the Sisters of the Incarnate Word (SVI), with Sr. Juliana Asantewaa, SVI, serving as the Headmistress.
The graduation ceremony was under the theme “Reaching new heights; A journey to achieving greatness”.
Sr. Asantewaa in her welcome address, expressed gratitude to God for the massive progress experienced by the School, saying that *”St James Academy started with 16 pupils in 2018 and now has over 500 pupils in 2025″.
This, she said, was a great achievement made in 6 years.
Sr. Asantewaa also acknowledged the commitment of the parents and staff for these years.
The celebration was graced by the Most Rev Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference; Nana Obiri Yeboah, Anatahene of Kyenasi number 2; Nana Afia Amponsah Baaku, Krontihemaa of Abesim, a representative of Dormahemaa Nana Akosua Fima Dwabeng, who was accompanied by two other Sub Queen mothers from Abesim, Mr. James Boakye Yiadom, PRO from Catholic Education Unit, representatives from UMB Bank and a good attendance by the parents and guardians.
In an address, Bishop Gyamfi mentioned that the intention for the establishment of St James Academy was to help the staff at the St. James Seminary and Senior High School have a closer place to educate their children.
He added that the aim of establishing the school was to make the staff have an undivided mind in discharging their duties.
The Bishop indicated this has also become an opportunity for others since there was no school in the area as at that time.
To the management, he told them that inasmuch as impacting knowledge unto the children was important, it was equally good that their moral upbringing was well shaped for a better future.
He stated that, “laws are obeyed at all times once they are rooted deep in the hearts and minds of the people”.
The Bishop assured parents of putting up a boarding facility in the future so that those who would like to bring their children to the boarding house.
On her part, Nana Afia Amponsah Baaku, expressed her joy seeing most of the awards being received by girls, which she saw as a good sign of a girl-child education.
She encouraged them to keep studying hard for a brighter future.
Evidenced to her joy was having the best graduating pupil and the overall best pupil being girls.
As St. James Academy is not only to teach children book knowledge but to make sure that children were well versed with their Culture, Faith and Social life, poetry recitals, dance, cadet display and drama were performed to depict it.
Some parents and individuals who have been part of the school from the very beginning and contributed significantly to the growth of the school, were also appreciated with gifts.
By Sr. Esther Kutie, SVI ( Sister Communicator
