Vice-President launches Mfantsipim @ 150
The Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has launched the 150th anniversary celebration of Mfantsipim School, describing the all-boys school as one of the most respected secondary schools on the continent, one pivotal in developing human capital and reinforcing the intellectual foundations of the country's democracy and progress.
She said institutions such as Mfantsipim had made a significant impact by shaping minds who had contributed to different areas of development.
As a result, she said, as the school marked its sesquicentennial anniversary, it had a greater responsibility to prepare learners with critical thinking, digital literacy, ethical principles and civic responsibility.
“This anniversary, therefore, invites reflection on the structure, quality, relevance and direction of education.
“It reminds us to preserve discipline and character, expand access without eroding excellence and align education with an innovation-led economy,” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said.
The Vice-President further explained that education must foster innovation, resilience, and dedication to nation-building.
She added that while she was encouraged by the school’s initiatives, such as its proposed STEM Centre, it was important for the school to also lead initiatives that touched every other discipline.
Government, she said, remained committed to strengthening secondary education across the country, recognising that meaningful progress required strong partnerships with all institutions, including faith-based ones, alumni associations and the private sector.
The current students, she added, had inherited a rich tradition and, therefore, they must make it a responsibility to uphold the values of integrity, discipline and service.
She commended the old boys for their continued interest and investment that ensured that many others benefited from the same transformative experience that they once had.
“And I congratulate you on this historic milestone and wish you a successful and impactful celebration. May the next 150 years be even more impactful,” she said.
Anniversary
Established in 1876 by the Methodist Church, the school is acknowledged as the pioneering secondary school in the country, which has since produced the first Black African to serve as Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, holding the position from 1997 to 2006.
The launch, held last Saturday at the Palms Convention Centre, brought together government officials, clergy, alumni and stakeholders in education to reflect on the school’s legacy and its role in shaping some of Ghana’s most influential minds.
The anniversary is on the theme: “150 years of shaping Ghana’s greatest minds”.
Activities, including a lecture series, Founder Day celebration and corporate social responsibility initiatives, among others, that will culminate in a grand durbar on November 14, 2026, have been lined up.
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, who described the school as a pivot in Ghana’s education system, commended the school for its long-standing contribution to national development.
On the status of education in the country, he said that from July 1 this year, special education for persons with disability would be free.
He added that GH¢ 100,000,000 had been dedicated in the Ghana Education Trust Fund formula approved by parliament to improve social inclusion.
Strides
The Chairman of the anniversary planning committee, Capt. John B. Yamoah, traced the origins of the school to its founding vision of producing well-educated citizens of the then Gold Coast, now Ghana, who would serve both God and country.
He stated that over the years, the school had evolved into a “bastion of excellence,” producing statesmen, diplomats, academics, sportsmen, innovators and global leaders who continued to contribute significantly to national and international development.
Rivalry
A businessman and an old student of Adisadel, Sam Jonah, described the long-standing rivalry between Mfantsipim and Adisadel College as a competitive tradition rooted in mutual respect and excellence.
“Rivalry at its best is respect wearing a competitive mask,” he said, adding that both schools have consistently pushed each other to higher standards over the decades.
He explained that the decision to prioritise education at the time laid a foundation that has produced generations of leaders, including global figures such as Kofi Annan, whom he described as one of the school’s finest products.
He encouraged current students to uphold the institution’s tradition of excellence and leadership, expressing hope that the next 150 years would be even more impactful.
The Ebusuapanyin of the Mfantsipim Old Boys Association (MOBA) and CEO of Margins Group, Moses Baiden Jr, underscored the school’s foundational role in shaping Ghana’s national identity and leadership culture.
He said it was time for the old boys to be given a seat at the table about the development and affairs of the school at the governmental level.
He described Mfantsipim as a cornerstone of Ghana’s educational development, noting that the boarding system and its early integration with the Methodist Church played a critical role in shaping disciplined and patriotic citizens.
