The School Mfantsipim Is 134 Years Old (1876 2010)

THE SCHOOL, MFANTSIPIM, IS 134 YEARS OLD (1876 – 2010)!

The tradition of collective leadership inspired by the faithful eight lives on as the Mfantsipim Institution, led this year by the 1970, 1980 and 1990 year groups of the Mfantsipim Old Boys Association (MOBA) celebrates this milestone under the theme:

The Role of the Church and the State in Human Resource Development in Ghana – The Mfantsipim Experience.

Politics Mfantsipim, established in Cape Coast with donations from local businessmen and the support of the Methodist Missionary Society in London has been called "the father of Ghanaian nationalism". From the founders and leaders of the colonial struggle such as John Mensah Sarbah, Rev. Attoh-Ahuma, Rev. Egyir-Asaam, J. W. de Graft Johnson, J. E. Casely-Hayford and Kobina Sekyi through K. A. Busia, W. William Ofori-Atta, Kow Nkensen Arkaah to the present day Dr. Chambas, John Newman, Papa Owusu-Ankomah and Joe Ghartey amongst many others.

Professionalism and Public Service The most illustrious contribution of Mfantsipim to Ghana has been in the development of professionalism and public services. From the very first Ghanaians to qualify as lawyers, doctors, pharmacists, surveyors and engineers such as John Mensah-Sarbah, J.E. Casely- Hayford, Kobina Sekyi (one of the faithful eight) through R.E.G. Amattoe, Dr. R.P. Baffuor, A. E. Chinbuah, K. K. Apeadu, F. L. Bartels, Alex Quaison-Sackey, M. F. Dei- Anang, C. M. O. Mante, J. Kwesi Lamptey, C. J. Bannerman and E. M. Debrah to the present day Prof. Adarkwa, Governor Amissah-Arthur, Dr. Aning and Ing. Boye (my good self) and countless others.

Social Besides the political and the administration fields, the school has made a decisive impact socially. Mfantsipim alumni contributed to building a truly Ghanaian educated class and the development of secondary and university education in this country. From the newspapers - Western Echo (1885), Gold Coast Chronicle (1896), Gold Coast Express (1897) founded and edited by Mensah-Sarbah and Casely-Hayford to the present day Multimedia Group led by Kwasi Twum and the traditional leadership of Nana Ayirebi Acquah of Winneba, Nana Kobina Nketsia IV of Essikado, Sekondi and the great Ga Mantse, Nii Tackey Tawiah II who died in 1947 not forgetting church leadership as exemplified today by that of Reverend Emmanuel Ansah of the National Association of Charismatic Christian Churches as well as modern private security systems operated by Kwame Sarpong’s Westec Security. Other educational institutions such as Wesley College, Trinity College, Prempeh College, Fijai Secondary Schools, Accra Academy, Wesley Grammar, Ghana National College, Achimota School and University of Ghana owe allegiance to THE SCHOOL.

To celebrate the afore-mentioned achievements this year and to ensure that The School’s great-grandfather role in Ghanaian Secondary School Education is maintained, a fund- raising dinner dance organised by Moba80 is scheduled for the evening of the second Saturday in October 2010 (9th October 2010) at the Alisa Hotel, Ridge Arena, North Ridge, Accra. In attendance shall be the Sappers Band and the Joy International Combo. One of the greatest contemporary Ghanaian guitarists, Kojo Folson (Borax) shall also make an appearance.

The tickets for the event are the main source of fund-raising, selling at GH¢50.00 for a single ticket and GH¢80.00 for double-ticket. An auction and a raffle are also planned. We wish to express appreciation to Coca-Cola, Guinness, Nestlé and other potential sponsors. Call 024-382-9344 or 020-342-9344 for tickets to support a worthy cause.

It is expected that sufficient funds would be raised to complete a GH¢101,000.00 twenty (20)-Seater Water Closet (WC) Facility with Anaerobic Digestion + Filtration System at THE SCHOOL. The facility, financed by the three year groups (‘70, ‘80 & ‘90), is currently under construction and is 65% complete.

Part of the proceeds shall also be used to organise the 134th Speech and Prize-Giving Day scheduled for 13th November, 2010 at Mfantsipim School, Cape Coast during which the facility shall be commissioned and officially presented to the school together with a one (1) year maintenance package. A Memorial and Thanksgiving Service will be held the next day, November 14, 2010 at the Wesley Methodist Church, Cape Coast.

It is hoped that some funds would also be available for a cash donation to THE SCHOOL and to the main MOBA multi-million Ghana Cedi Library project.

Moba80 would also wish to highlight activities of Progress In Education Inc. (www.progressineducation.org), a US-based Non-Profit Organisation, started by some of its members ten years ago (2000) to commemorate 20 years since leaving Mfantsipim School (GCE ‘O’-Level). Beneficiaries of P.I.E grants include the following institutions in Ghana:  Aburi Girls' Secondary School  Ebenezer Secondary School  Ghanatta Secondary School  Keta Secondary School  Larteh Secondary School  Mfantsipim School  Mfantsiman Secondary School  Nsutaman Secondary School  Odorgonno Secondary School  Saint John's Grammar Secondary School  Swedru Secondary School  Tarkwa Secondary School  Wesley Girls' High School  Winneba Secondary School  Savelugu Senior High School  Wa Senior High School  Kumasi Polytechnic

Thousands of dollars worth of computers, books, and science laboratory equipment has been donated. Mention must also be made of efforts by PIE Ghana to ensure the launch of the Ghana Museum of Education at Mfantsipim during the Speech and Prize-Giving day. It is only natural for this to be based in Mfantsipim School.

September 23, 2010, Sunrise, TV3 show guests are Ing. Hector Boye, PMP (Moba80) and Mr. Adu-Gyamfi (Moba90).