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 Churc (opens in a new tab)h.
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 (opens in a new tab)” 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 (opens in a new tab), former prime minister of Ghana; Joseph W. S. de Graft-Johnson (opens in a new tab), lawyer, academic, engineer and politician; Kobina Sekyi, renowned writer, playwright, and lawyer; J. E. Casely Hayford (opens in a new tab), journalist and politician; and Alex Quaison-Sackey (opens in a new tab), diplomat, first black president of the UN General Assembly (opens in a new tab); H.E.Kow Nkensen Arkaah (opens in a new tab), former vice president of the Republic of Ghana (opens in a new tab); Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur (opens in a new tab), former vice president of the Republic of Ghana (opens in a new tab).
Here is our list of influential Mfantsipim old students in their fields of work
1. Kofi Annan
Nobel Peace Prize (opens in a new tab) laureate and former Secretary-General of the United Nations (opens in a new tab). 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 (opens in a new tab) commission and currently the United Nations (opens in a new tab) Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa (opens in a new tab) and the Sahel (opens in a new tab), and head of UNOWAS (opens in a new tab).
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.
