By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, Nov 10, GNA – The Mfantsipim School, Ghana’s premier secondary school, has held its 148th anniversary and Speech Day in grace, glory and ecstasy to celebrate the school’s momentous achievements.
The event could easily be mistaken for an assembly of carefully selected politicians, businessmen, entrepreneurs, inventors, and top professionals across all fields, a striking evidence of the school’s invaluable impact on the country over the years.
Notable among them were Paapa Owusu-Ankomah, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK) and Mr Boakye Agyarko, an astute politician and former Energy Minister.
With sheer class, skill and confidence, the school’s regimental band, cadet and choir relished the celebration with some stunning displays.
The 30-minute extempore speech delivered incisively by the erudite 100th head boy, Master Ato Kwamina Essilfie, in more than 10 different languages including French, Portuguese, German and Arabic will be forever engraved on the minds of the audience.
Master Essilfie, led a team of three to win the 2024 Science and Maths Quiz in a spectacular encounter, on Wednesday, October 30.
The 1994-year group of the Mfantsipim Old Boys Association (MOBA 94) supported by MOBA 64, MOBA 74, MOBA 84, MOBA 04, and MOBA 14 made the anniversary exclusive.
Scores of students who distinguished themselves in various fields including academics, sports, and entertainment were recognised and awarded for their exploits accordingly.
Master Godwin Egyir was adjudged the scholar of the year after bagging 8As in the 2023 WASSCE and emerging the best Maths, Physics and Technical Drawing student.
Dr Alex Boateng Atakorah, Chief Operating Officer of the Technical and Logistics Group and Guest Speaker, challenged his alma mater to champion entrepreneurship, arts, digital literacy and leadership to adequately empower students for success in the modern world.
He observed that educational excellence was not only measured by grades but also by the ability of individuals to think critically, communicate effectively and demonstrate social responsibility.
“Emotional intelligence, versatility and synergy will become as important as academic knowledge,” he said.
Mr Atakorah underscored the role of technology in today’s world and entreated the school to leverage the digital transformation by incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and technologies to equip students with 21st century skills.
“Real world application of knowledge will become crucial to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
“We must leverage our great alumni to create partnerships with industry to ensure that our students, from the onset, possess the skills needed to lead as entrepreneurs, technocrats, inventors, visionaries, think tanks among others in Ghana and around the world,” he said.
He challenged the students to study hard, think critically, live with purpose and shine in whatever they did.
“Greatness is not just intellect or skill. It requires clear vision, resourcefulness, positive mindset, confidence, dedication, perseverance, humility, and a strong character,” he stressed.
Very Rev Ebenezer Kobina Aidoo, the Headmaster, touted the school’s remarkable progress in academics, sports and other activities, indicating that they recorded 100 per cent passes in Physics, chemistry, biology, and integrated Science in 2023.
“Last year, 94.61 % of our students qualified for the tertiary institutions as against 89.7% in 2022,” he added.
He expressed heartfelt gratitude to all stakeholders and benefactors including the Methodist Church, old boys, government, and parents who were pushing the school in various ways.
Very Rev Aidoo reminded the gathering of the school’s 150th anniversary in two years and appealed to all stakeholders to support the historic celebration, prioritising the development and well-being of the institution.
“Our legacy is not just in the buildings we erect or the accolades we receive, but in the lives, we transform and the future leaders we nurture,” he said.
The headmaster later called for a peaceful, free, and fair election to preserve the peace of the country and secure the future of students.
Master Essilfie, the Head Boy, in his address, pointed to some significant transformations in the school including improved academic environment, heightened discipline, great entertainment as well as enhanced food quality and robust dispensary due to support from parents.
He, however, highlighted some isolated cases of indiscipline which he noted were being dealt with.
The Head Boy made an appeal for a new assembly hall with a greater capacity to enable the school hold bigger events.
He also appealed to stakeholders to equip the regimental band with instruments and ceremonial uniforms.
He added his voice to the call for a peaceful election and entreated the youth to place the value of their lives ahead of any political interest.
The Ebusuapanyin of MOBA, Mr Moses K. Baiden Jr., announced the establishment of 10-million-dollar endowment fund to provide a sustainable source of income to support the school and urged all old boys to contribute generously.
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, the Oguaamanhen, congratulated Mfantsipim on their 148th anniversary and encouraged them to strive to reach greater heights.
He observed a worrying trend of moral decadence among the youth and called for swift measures to tame it.
“You can be the most intelligent person and be the best at what you do, but if you have a bad character, you cannot fit anywhere.
“Put your character ahead in everything you do; portray a godly character and you will succeed at everything you do,” he said.
Mfantsipim, the first secondary school in the Gold Coast, was established in 1876 by the Methodist Missionary and Nationalists in response to the political climate and the demand for higher education.
The school began as the Wesley High School, then evolved into the High School and Training Institution, Wesleyan Collegiate School, and Richmond College.
It was John Mensah-Sarbah, one of the pioneer students and accomplished lawyer, who finally gave it the name Mfantsipim.
GNA