25 influential Ghanaians who are old students of Mfantsipim School

In Ghana, they say “there are only two schools, Mfantsipim and the rest”, this a highly debatable statement which could have even caused a civil war if we were not a country that enjoyed banter and jest.

But you can’t take it away from the Botwe boys, they are an influential force in Ghana’s education, economy, politics, health, religion and every other field.

Mfantsipim’s influential status is borne from the fact the school is the oldest Senior High school in Ghana having been established in 1876 by the Methodist Church.

Also known as “The School”, it was formerly known as the Wesleyan High School with an 18-year-old French scholar assuming the reins of headmaster.

Other schools including Prempeh College begun with students of Mfantsipim.

According to the schools history, in 1905 a graduate of the school, John Mensah Sarbah, founded a rival school named Mfantsipim; the name derives from “Mfantsefo-apem”, literally meaning “thousands of Fantes” but actually meaning “the gathering of hosts of scholars for change” originally by the Fantes. In July of the same year, the two schools were merged under the control of the Methodist Church, keeping the name Mfantsipim. John Mensah- Sarbah, who came up with the name “Mfantsipim” stated at the opening of the school that its aim was “to train up God-fearing, respectable and intelligent lads.”

The school’s Motto is ‘Dwen Hwɛ Kan’ with the school colours as red and black. Manfred Barton-Oduro is the 39th headmaster of the school.

Its sister school is the Wesley Girls High School with whom they enjoy friendly and healthy relations also known as MOBA GEYHEY. The school has 7 houses, accommodating the majority of the boys who live in the boarding house also known as B-town.

Mfantsipim are 2x champion of the National Science and Maths Quiz and have been to the finals on 4 occasions.

Notable alumni of the school include Kofi Abrefa Busia, former prime minister of Ghana; Joseph W. S. de Graft-Johnson, lawyer, academic, engineer and politician; Kobina Sekyi, renowned writer, playwright, and lawyer; J. E. Casely Hayford, journalist and politician; and Alex Quaison-Sackey, diplomat, first black president of the UN General Assembly; H.E.Kow Nkensen Arkaah, former vice president of the Republic of Ghana; Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, former vice president of the Republic of Ghana.

Here is our list of influential Mfantsipim old students in their fields of work

1.Kofi Annan

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former Secretary-General of the United Nations. Mr Annan was also the Chancellor of the University of Ghana. He died on the 18th of August 2018 in Switzerland.

2. Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas

Former president of the ECOWAS commission and currently the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, and head of UNOWAS.

3. Ernest Kwamina Yedu Addison

Governor of the Bank of Ghana

4. Tsatsu Tsikata

Ghanaian lawyer

5. Majid Michel

Actor and Pastor

6.Van Vicker

Actor and Entrepreneur

7. Kwasi Twum

CEO of Multimedia Group, Ghana

8. Aziz Zakari

After numerous years of training, Zakari got to represent his motherland at the 2000 Olympic Games, where he made it to the men’s 100m final. 5 years later, he achieved a sub-10s run of 9.99s in Asafa Powell’s world record breaking race.

9. Dr Ben Asante

With more than 25 years of global experience in the Oil & Gas industry, he is one of few Black Engineers to have testified as an expert pipeline engineer before the US Supreme Court. He’s currently the CEO of Ghana National Gas Company.

10.Nana Kobina Nketsia V

Paramount Chief (Omanhen) of Esikado

11. Reverend Albert Ocran

Executive Pastor of the ICGC Church, Author and international motivational speaker

12. Ace Ankomah

Ghanaian lawyer

13. RJZ

Hip-hop Artiste

14. Joe Ghartey

Joe Ghartey is a Ghanaian lawyer, academic and politician. He is the current Railways and Development minister.

15. Prophet Kakra Baiden

Pastor, Revivalist, author, teacher and conference speaker

16. Mel Arthur

Mel Arthur is a Ghanaian artist who breathes creative expression through his photography and art to tell stories. With his portfolio spanning editorial, portraiture, fashion and lifestyle, documentary and conceptual photography, Arthur combines his distinct ability of finding the beauty of each subject and capturing surreal perspectives to reawaken overlooked visual narratives. He is also a creative director at DSG and a brands manager at BP Africa Communications

17. Kossi Akplah

Comedian, Writer and Social Activist. He is also a pharmacist and won the most outstanding student in Pharmacy at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

18. Poka

Illustrator and Animator

19. Joewackle

Writer, TV and Radio Presenter.

20. Paon

Award-winning Fashion designer

21. Franklin Gyan

Photographer, Entrepreneur and director. He is worked with some of the heavyweights in the advertising industry and lifestyle.

22. Aaron Adatsi

Actor

23. Isaac Sesi

Founder of Sesi Technologies and MIT’s Innovators under 35

24. Nii Armah Amaah

Producer and reporter, CITI TV

25. Ohema Martin

Transgender, Youtuber and activist

*Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with new information and edited for clarity. Every information remains accurate and factual.