ADISADEL FOUNDATION INC.
Towards Another 100 Years of Educational Excellence
There is a green hill in Cape Coast (Ghana) whose laurels are not merely leafy adornments of Olympian diadems but men;
men who by their uncommon accomplishments, exemplary leadership and heroic service to their country have helped shape the
culture and history of their homeland, Ghana for nearly one hundred years. It is Adisadel Hill, the home of Adisadel College
widely recognized as among the top ten public secondary schools in all of Africa and a national treasure for Ghana. For only
a couple of other secondary schools in Ghana even come close to matching it in the production of Ghanaian leaders in industry,
commerce, education, politics, the arts and sciences.
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The Early Years
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Founded in 1910 by the Anglican priest, Rev. Nathaniel Temple Hamlyn, under the auspices of the Society for the Propagation of
the Gospel, the school was originally named the St. Nicholas Grammar School. Its purpose was to train boys for the priesthood.
It opened its doors with 22 pioneering students at Topp Yard in Cape Coast, the former capital of the then Gold Coast. As
enrolment grew in 1922, the school under Headmaster Rev. John Alan Knight, acquired land for a campus at the current location
on Adisadel Hill. As recorded by K.B. Ayensu, a student leader in the ‘30s, “The school did not have money to engage a
construction firm and a government grant was not forthcoming. Knight decided that the boys should start construction themselves.
The boys were driven up, a batch every day after lunch. They (each batch) worked once a week. Eventually, the first building,
Hamlyn House was completed. That near miracle moved the government to give the school a grant and construction began
professionally.
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The People’s School
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Despite its famous hilltop location, boarding school status and reputation, Adisadel is not a school for the privileged; it is
the people’s school and is easily accessible to all, irrespective of their backgrounds. Thousands of boys, the sons of farmers,
fishermen, artisans, market women and shopkeepers have ascended its heights to drink of the can-do Adisadel spirit, pursue the
scholarly wisdom of its storied teachers and partake of its triumphs in extra-curricular activities. Thus, fully equipped in
spirit, mind and body they have gone back into the world with a solid foundation for higher endeavors.
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Will Adisadel College Survive another 100 Years?
In the ‘60s, under Headmasters John T. Drury and Robert T. Orleans-Pobee, the school’s infrastructure was expanded to serve approximately six hundred students and the curriculum modernized to emphasize the sciences and mathematics. Many of Ghana’s current leaders in both the private and public sectors attended the school during this time.
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It has been almost 50 years since the Golden Jubilee, the last time the campus had a comprehensive facelift. Today as the
school nears the 100th anniversary of its founding, the infrastructure of the campus is crumbling as age and usage have taken
their toll.
The campus sewage and water systems are inadequate and under capacity. Students have to wait in line to use laboratories and other facilities. The tremendous growth in student population has over-taxed the functionality of all existing structures.
With current student population of about 2,000 there are inadequate dormitory and classroom spaces to meet students needs.
Overcrowding in the science laboratories have become a burden on instructors ability cater to the needs of students. Almost all the lab equipments are old and outmoded by modern standards.
Instead of focusing on their studies, current students often have to fend for themselves to find water and other necessities in this boarding school environment.
It is clearly evident the century old campus infrastructure is deteriorating under the toll of age and usage. And this calls for extraordinary measures to save this historic institution.
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The Foundation To Support Adisadel College
The campus sewage and water systems are inadequate and under capacity. Students have to wait in line to use laboratories and other facilities. The tremendous growth in student population has over-taxed the functionality of all existing structures.
With current student population of about 2,000 there are inadequate dormitory and classroom spaces to meet students needs.
Overcrowding in the science laboratories have become a burden on instructors ability cater to the needs of students. Almost all the lab equipments are old and outmoded by modern standards.
Instead of focusing on their studies, current students often have to fend for themselves to find water and other necessities in this boarding school environment.
It is clearly evident the century old campus infrastructure is deteriorating under the toll of age and usage. And this calls for extraordinary measures to save this historic institution.
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The Adisadel Foundation
Adisadel College alumni, also known as Santaclausians, have established the Adisadel Foundation, Inc., an IRS approved Section 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for the educational and infrastructural improvements of Adisadel College.
The Foundation is run by a non-paid volunteer staff most of whom are Adisadel College alumni. 100% of all donations go the Foundation.
The Board of Adisadel Foundation consists of Santaclausians based in the United States:
Kwabena Sarpong ’77 Hamlyn – President
Robert Baafi ’65 Jubilee – Vice President
Mark Aggrey ’84 Aglionby – Treasurer
Alfred Essandoh ’87 Knight – Secretary
Edmund Tawiah ’78 Elliot – Operations Manager
Adisadel Foundation Goals
- Fund the construction of a campus multi-purpose Centenary Building that features classrooms, library, computer center and an auditorium.
- Repair and upgrade existing campus buildings.
- Provide teaching aid equipment for teaching staff.
- Installation of 15 million gallon water tower to service the entire campus.
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Furnish and upgrade the school’s cafeteria and kitchen equipments for cooking and food preparation.
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What is the Adisadel Foundation?
The Adisadel Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded to benefit the educational mission of Adisadel College. It was founded by a group of Santaclausians in the United States in 2003. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee the Foundation obtained United States IRS non-profit status in March 2004.
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What is the charter of the Foundation?
The Foundation is dedicated to the total repair and restoration of Adisadel College campus in addition to replenishing its educational resources.
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What does the Foundation’s 501(c) 3 status mean?
Contributors making donations to the Foundation can deduct their contributions from their annual federal tax obligations.
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What is the set-up of the Foundation?
The Foundation is governed by its by-laws (available upon request). The Foundation’s by-laws states among other things who is qualified to be on its board; when meetings are conducted; how its finances are independently audited; the criteria for disbursement of its funds; its obligation to and relationship with contributors. The Foundation’s setup is in compliance with the codes of the Internal Revenue Service.
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Who are on the board of the Adisadel Foundation?
The board consists of Santaclausians based in the United States:
Kwabena Sarpong ’77 Hamlyn President
Robert Baafi ’65 Jubilee Vice President
Mark Aggrey ’84 Aglionby Treasurer
Alfred Essandoh ’87 Knight Secretary
Edmund Tawiah ’78 Elliot Operations Manager
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Who provides oversight of the board?
The United States IRS regulations governs the activities of the board and Adisadel Old Boys Association executives serve a monitoring role in the operations of the Foundation.
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How are the Funds of the Foundations disbursed to benefit Adisadel College?
Target projects on the campus, when identified and estimated will be funded by the Foundation. On-site monitoring of projects by representatives of the Foundation will be used. The Foundation will employ strict accounting and reporting procedures in executing projects. Contributors will be informed of any disbursement and the status of projects funded by the Foundation.
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Does the Foundation accept donations of kind?
Yes, the Foundation accepts non-cash donations that may benefit Adisadel College. Examples of non-cash donations include textbooks, computers and any equipment that may be beneficial to the campus.
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Do any of the Foundation's Officers receive any compensation?
No! The Foundation's officers do not receive any compensation and the bylaws of the Foundation forbid the payment of its officers.
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What percentage of contributions goes towards the Foundation?
Absolutely 100%.
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Where does one send contributions and are any receipts issued?
Contributions should be addressed to:
Adisadel Foundation Inc
P. O. Box 3293
Cary, North Carolina 27519-3293
Tel: (919) 460-8723
Email: adisadelfund@yahoogroups.com
Contributors will receive a receipt acknowledging their donations.
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Does the Foundation have a website?
Not at this time. The Foundation’s website is under design.
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What is the future outreach of the Foundation?
The Foundation will be registered in Canada to enable Santaclausians in Canada to take advantage of tax-deduction contributions.
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How To Make A Contribution
Please make your tax-deductible contribution to:
Adisadel Foundation Inc.
P.O. Box 3293
Cary, North Carolina 27519-3293
Tel: (919) 363-3546
Email: adisadelfund@yahoogroups.com
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