By Godfred A. Polkuu
Bolgatanga, Dec. 23, GNA – The Reverend Eastwood Anaba, the President of the Eastwood Anaba Ministries, says Christian education shapes young lives to become Christ-centered people in every sphere of life.
Christian education was not just about imparting knowledge but modelled younger generations to shine the light of Christ in all sectors of the economy, he said.
Rev Anaba said this in a speech delivered on his behalf at the 25th Anniversary launch of the Desert Pastures International School (DPS) in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital, held on the theme: “Raising Transformational Leaders in a Digital Age.”
This brought together stakeholders including parents, teachers, pupils and representatives of sister schools in the Region.
The school, formally known as Fountain Gate International School, started on September 7, 1999, to satisfy the need for high-quality, carefully structured and Christ-centered foundation in education.
Rev Anaba described the DPS as a beacon of hope, sanctuary of learning and a cornerstone of development, adding that for the past 25 years, it had nurtured and instilled in pupils a blend of academic excellence, moral fortunes and faith-based values.
He said the Anniversary was not just the celebration of the past, but a reminder of the vision that birthed the institution.
“It is a testament to the resilience and foresight of the Founders, whose dream was to provide an environment where children could learn, grow and succeed, guided by Christian principles,” he said.
“The education you are receiving here is not just a key to personal success, but a tool to transform our communities. Carry the torch of DPS with pride, knowing you stand on the shoulders of great people and a great legacy”.
He said the work of teachers was sacred, as the lessons taught, values instilled and prayers sowed seeds of greatness in the pupils and acknowledged the contributions of parents/guardians to the growth of the school.
“I encourage all of us to remain steadfast in our support for this school. Let us continue to invest in its growth, expansion in its reach and uphold its mission of raising God-fearing, responsible, visionary leaders for our nation and beyond,” Rev Anaba said.
He acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders of the school, whose benevolence saw the construction of a new Information Technology (IT) compliant preschool block, fitted with Light Emitting Diode (LED) screens to ensure quality education.
The Reverend Mrs Rosemond Anaba, the Director of the School, said it started with four teaching staff and a janitor, with one teacher doubling as head teacher until it subsequently got a substantive head.
She said the first batch of pupils, with the support of Reverend Anaba, moved from its former location at Daporetindongo, a suburb of the Bolgatanga Municipality, to its present location, known as the ‘Wisdom Campus’ in November 2009.
She said by the end of the first year, the school’s population grew to 117 learners, and had since expanded to become a category ‘A’ institutions in the Municipality.
Apart from the Ghana Education Service syllabus, the school engaged in other programmes such as choreography, drama, arts and craft, science, girls guide, and debates that equipped pupils with knowledge and practical skills to live healthy and responsible lives.
Rev Mrs Anaba noted that the school had churned out many professionals in the country, with one of its alumni recently graduating from the University of Health and Allied Sciences as a medical doctor with eight out of 12 awards.
She expressed gratitude to the stakeholders for the continuous support and prayed for God’s continuous guidance, mercies and protection for the school to continue to thrive for more successes.
GNA