By Isaac Arkoh, GNA
Cape Coast, May 09, GNA—The Wesley Girls’ High School, Ghana’s oldest and most prestigious all-girls school, located at Kakumdo, in Cape Coast, has inducted its 12th headmistress at a colourful ceremony in Cape Coast, the Central Regional capital.
The ceremony was interspersed with Christian hymns, cultural pomp, with high expectations for educational excellence.
Ms Evelyn Nana Efua Assan, a seasoned educator with decades of experience in school administration, took the mantle of administration following the retirement of her predecessor, Mrs Jeannette Ruby Siameh, who served for three years.
The event, held at the Wesley Cathedral, the oldest Methodist Church in Ghana, drew family members, parents, and alumni of the school and sister school, Holy Child.
Also in attendance were the school’s teachers, Board Members, traditional and religious leaders, representatives from the Ghana Education Service and the Methodist Church-Ghana.
The induction featured symbolic prayers led by Most Rev Prof Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church-Ghana assisted by Rt Rev Richardson Aboagye Andam, Bishop of the Cape Coast Diocese of the Church and Dr Monica Dede Yakyi-Ansah Yawson, Cape Coast Diocesan Lay Chairman.
Many attendees, clad predominantly in pristine white and vibrant groups attire, erupted to their feet in applause as the school’s choir, assisted by regimental band delivered stirring performances that lauded the transition not merely as a change of leadership, but as a beacon of sustained glory for the school.
Established in 1876 by Methodist missionaries, the school boasts a legacy of producing trailblazers like Ghana’s first female Vice President, Prof Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, Justice Georgina Theodora Wood and Justice Sophia Akuffo, former Chief Justices of Ghana and Prof Henrietta Mensah-Bonsu, a retired Supreme Court Judge.
In a stirring sermon, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church-Ghana reminded her of Wesley Girls’ storied legacy as a beacon of academic excellence.
Referencing no particular issue, he spoke about some recent media reports about the school and wondered how this information got to the media.
He said: “Things happen in many schools without making news, but if they occur at Wesley Girls,’ they become big media stories.
“As its leader, you must remain circumspect both in actions and inactions,” he emphasised, “lest they tarnish the school’s revered reputation and undermine its pursuit of scholarly distinction.”
To safeguard this, Most Rev Prof Asamoah-Gyadu advised vigilance against fair-weather friends, particularly those who shower her with praises outwardly but secretly plot her downfall.
“Discern true allies from flatterers,” he cautioned, “for their hidden agendas can erode your foundation and distract you from your purpose.
“May God touch the hearts and minds of people around you to enable you to lead with exemplary leadership that empowers the girls under your care to succeed beyond measure,” the Presiding Bishop prayed aloud.
In times of difficulties, he implored her to turn deliberately to God in supplication, echoing Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 4:6-7: “I urge you to present your requests to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Without it, he warned, she risks growing bitter and losing her focus on the vital mission of leading to empower thousands of girls under her care.
In her address, Ms Assan pledged to champion selfless leadership rooted in integrity, dedication, commitment and hard work, aiming to elevate the school’s already stellar academic excellence even further.
This vision, she said, aligned perfectly with the school’s motto: “Live Pure, Speak True, Right Wrong, Follow the King”, which embodied its steadfast Methodist principles, nurturing not only academic prowess but also unwavering moral standards and integrity among students.
To realise this, Ms Assan committed to disciplined leadership built on four key pillars of academic excellence, infrastructure development, stakeholder engagement and prudent resource management.
She also encouraged parents to fully commit to their children’s education and urged students to embrace disciplined lives as the surest path to achieving their life goals.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Isaac Arkoh