Deputy Education Minister Dr Clement Abas Apaak delivered a dual-edged message: a glowing tribute to celebrate the 75th Anniversary Speech and Prize-Giving Day of T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School (AMASS).
He commended the school’s historic legacy and a firm, uncompromising directive to tackle the rising tide of student indiscipline across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the government on March 28, 2026, Dr Apaak traced the school’s remarkable trajectory from its 1950 inception—starting with a mere twenty-five students—to its current status as a “national asset”.
He paid special homage to the visionary synergy between the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission and the Asante royalty, specifically the late Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, whose generosity laid the school’s physical and moral foundations.
The Deputy Minister then addressed a “growing concern” within the Ghanaian educational landscape.
Dr Apaak was explicit in his stance that academic achievement is hollow without the bedrock of character.
“Let me state this clearly: discipline is not optional. It is foundational to education,” Dr Apaak stated, addressing a packed assembly of students and parents.
“No meaningful learning can take place in an environment where order, respect, and responsibility are absent. Acts of misconduct, disregard for school authority, and behaviours that undermine the learning environment cannot and must not be tolerated.”
The minister’s remarks come at a time when schools nationwide are grappling with various forms of student unrest and misconduct.
He issued a direct appeal to the youth, urging them to “choose character over convenience” and “responsibility over recklessness”, reminding them that their future success depends more on their integrity than their grades.
The deputy minister also underscored the Ministry of Education’s commitment to supporting school authorities in enforcing standards “firmly, fairly, and consistently”.
He assured teachers and administrators that they have the full backing of the sector minister to restore order, noting that a disciplined environment is the only way to safeguard the future of the nation’s young people.
“As a government, our vision is clear: we seek to develop the whole learner—intellectually capable, morally grounded, emotionally resilient, and socially responsible,” he added. “Academic excellence alone is not enough. It must be accompanied by character, sound judgement, and a commitment to service.”
Beyond the call for discipline, Dr Apaak touched on the importance of religious tolerance and diversity within schools. He emphasised that Ghana’s strength lies in its pluralism and that students should be able to observe their religious obligations in an atmosphere of mutual respect. He noted that when a school community is guided by shared values, “academic excellence and spiritual growth do not compete; they reinforce one another”.
The event also served as a platform for the government to reiterate its ongoing reforms, including the standards-based curriculum and continued investment in digital literacy and teacher welfare. For the award-winning students of T.I. AMASS, the day was a validation of their hard work, but for the deputy minister, it was a call to action for the next seventy-five years.
“The story of T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School is a story of vision, sacrifice, and sustained excellence,” Dr Apaak concluded. “The next chapter of this story depends on all of us.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
