The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, has called on Ghanaians to help preserve the long-standing harmony in mission schools by upholding mutual respect between religious groups and the proprietors of the institutions.
Speaking at the 87th Speech and Prize-Giving Day of Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC) in Accra last Saturday, he stressed that while the rights of individuals of all faiths must be protected, students who choose mission schools must equally acknowledge and respect the values on which those schools were established.
“People of other faiths who entered mission schools have respected the fact that these schools were built to uphold certain values. The attempts by a few people to ruffle the waters could threaten national cohesion if not handled carefully,” he said.
“It is important that we respect the rights of persons of other religions. But it is also important for persons of other religions who accept education in mission schools to respect the rights of the owners.”
His comments come amid recent controversies over accommodating diverse religious practices in educational institutions, particularly at the senior high school level, with one such case currently before the courts.
Ablakwa Advocates Religious Tolerance
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who also spoke at the event, made a strong appeal for the preservation of religious tolerance in schools. He described Ghana’s secondary school system as a powerful space for nation-building, where generations of students have learned to coexist peacefully.
“Our secondary school architecture has been the most potent antidote to discrimination and prejudice. It is in secondary schools that we learn that no one from another part of Ghana is a threat, and that diversity enriches us,” he said.
Ablakwa, an old student of PRESEC, questioned why a country globally celebrated for religious harmony was now grappling with emerging tensions. Citing the National Chief Imam’s historic visits to churches and his own experience hosting the Chief Imam, he urged Ghanaians to prioritise shared humanity over strict doctrinal differences.
He further challenged the nation to focus on the values produced by the educational system. “Why is our educational system producing graduates who create thousands of ghost names to steal from the state? Why are we producing graduates who destroy our environment and harm public health just for greed?” he asked. He called for an educational philosophy that nurtures ethical leadership, critical thinking, accountability and discipline.
Celebrating Excellence
This year’s PRESEC celebration was held on the theme: “Celebrating Our Heritage: Shaping Future Leaders Through Discipline and Academic Excellence.” The event brought together alumni, parents, government officials and clergy of the Presbyterian Church.
A total of 47 former students who scored straight 8As in the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) were honoured. Mr. Ablakwa presented each of them with a brand-new laptop to support their tertiary education.
Other students who excelled in various subjects, disciplines and sporting activities also received awards.
Academic Performance and Challenges
Headmaster David Odjidja highlighted the school’s strong academic results. Out of the 2024 WASSCE cohort, 47 students scored 8As, 106 obtained 7As, 117 got 6As, 270 achieved aggregate 6, and nearly 800 candidates recorded single-digit aggregates.
He added that performance in core subjects remained impressive, with more than 80 per cent of candidates scoring A1–B3 in English Language, Social Studies, Core Mathematics and Integrated Science.
Despite the achievements, Mr. Odjidja outlined major challenges driven by rising enrolment and the continued implementation of the double-track system. The school currently faces deficits in classroom furniture, dormitory beds, library seating, dining hall furniture and assembly space.
Although PRESEC has six science laboratory spaces — three built by the church and three by the government — none has been equipped, leaving them unused.
To meet government’s target of transitioning all double-track schools to single-track by the 2027/2028 academic year, the headmaster said the school urgently needs a 48-unit classroom block, 6,000-capacity dormitory blocks, 15 additional science laboratories and six computer laboratories.
He appealed to the government, old students, the church and other stakeholders to support the school’s transition.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
