The Paramount Chief and President of the Somé Traditional Council, Torgbiga Adamah III, paid a courtesy call on Education Minister Hon. Haruna Iddrisu in Accra on Thursday, April 23, making a formal case for the elevation of Somé Senior High School (SHS) from Category C to Category B status, arguing that the school’s consistent academic progress and expanding student population have outgrown its current classification.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Education, comes at a strategically important moment. Minister Iddrisu announced in October 2025 that the government has a plan to upgrade at least 10 Category C schools to Category B in 2026, creating a window of opportunity that Somé’s traditional leadership is now actively seeking to exploit on behalf of the school and its surrounding community.
Torgbiga Adamah III told the minister that despite measurable improvements in academic output and discipline, Somé SHS continues to operate under significant infrastructure constraints, including inadequate dormitory space, limited science laboratory facilities, and growing pressure on teaching staff. He argued that Category B reclassification would unlock additional government investment and attract the resources needed to sustain the school’s trajectory.
Receiving the delegation, Minister Iddrisu acknowledged the concerns raised and commended the traditional authority for its proactive role in championing education in the region. He said the Ministry will assess the infrastructure, staffing, and academic indicators of Somé SHS against the formal requirements for Category B classification, reaffirming the government’s commitment to equitable educational development across the country.
School reclassification in Ghana is assessed against a combination of factors including infrastructure adequacy, academic performance, staffing ratios, and a school’s capacity to absorb students under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy. Movement between categories requires formal ministerial assessment and approval.
Somé Senior High School was established in 1966 and is located in Agbozume in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region. It currently operates as a Mixed Category C institution on the Double Track system, offering programmes in Business, General Arts, General Science, Home Economics, and Visual Arts. The visit by Torgbiga Adamah III and his elders reflects a broader trend of traditional authorities partnering with government to address developmental gaps in the education sector, particularly in underserved regions.
Residents and alumni of Somé SHS welcomed the advocacy, expressing hope that a successful upgrade would significantly improve access to quality secondary education in the Ketu South area and the wider Volta Region.
