PRESEC-Legon 87th Anniversary ends with a call to crush galamsey and corruption

The 19th Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, has issued a strong call to action against illegal mining and corruption, describing them as two “demons” haunting Ghana.

He made the remarks during the 87th Speech and Prize Giving Day of Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School (PRESEC), Legon, on November 29, 2025, where outstanding staff and students were honoured.

Addressing the gathering, the Moderator expressed grave concern over the destructive impact of illegal mining on the nation.

“One of the demons haunting Ghana is the demon of galamsey. It is destroying our water bodies and affecting the health of our people,” he said.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Opare Kwakye praised the academic excellence that PRESEC instills in its students, noting that Odadeɛ alumni have risen to influential positions across key national sectors. He therefore urged all PRESEC old students working within or connected to the mining industry to take responsibility in the national fight.

“I call on all Odadeɛs, wherever you are, especially those connected to the mining sector, to ensure that we do not just talk about galamsey but we crush it,” he stressed.

He further appealed to both public and private sector leaders to unite in confronting the illegal mining crisis.

“We call on all actors in the industry to come together to crush galamsey to save the nation,” he added, expressing hope that committed leadership would apply the right measures to end the menace.

Turning his focus to corruption, the Moderator said the country’s inability to address the issue stems from political bias.

“This demon, we are unable to deal with because we have agreed that it will be tackled based on the colour of our T-shirt,” he stated, referring to partisan affiliations. “If we all agree that no matter the colour of your political T-shirt we will come together to deal with corruption, we will save money and move forward as a country.”

He concluded by calling on everyone to rise to the challenge and collaborate in confronting both illegal mining and corruption, emphasizing that collective action is essential to securing Ghana’s future.

Debate On Religion in Senior High Schools

Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, urged Ghanaians to remain committed to religious tolerance and mutual respect as national debate intensifies over the Wesley Girls High School religious-practice saga.

Addressing the gathering, Rt. Rev. Dr. Opare Kwakye said Ghana has long been a model of interfaith harmony, and the current tensions risk undermining that legacy.

“In Ghana, Christians and Muslims have lived together harmoniously for decades,” he stressed. “Muslims do not mind going to church, and Christians do not mind visiting Muslims. Even the National Chief Imam visited the Catholic Church during the celebration of his 100th birthday.”

He recounted his own experiences fostering interfaith unity.

“When I served as Chairperson of the Ga Presbytery, we visited the Chief Imam every year during Ramadan, and the Muslim community also paid reciprocal visits,” he said. “These acts of mutual respect have kept peace in our communities and in our schools.”

The Moderator emphasized that mission schools were established by faith-based institutions to uphold specific values, and historically, students from other religious backgrounds have respected those foundations. Quoting lines from the PRESEC anthem, he noted that the Christian training offered in such schools forms part of their identity and ethos.

He warned that recent public commentary has been inflamed by “a few people who have chosen to stir emotions and create unnecessary problems,” adding that some responses “do not promote national peace.”

Rt. Rev. Dr. Opare Kwakye concluded with a call for balance and understanding: “It is important to respect the rights of persons of other religions. At the same time, those who access education in mission schools must respect the rights and identity of the owners of these schools. If we do this together, we will stay on the path of social cohesion, which is essential for national development.”

He further prayed that national leaders “will recognise these principles at all times and ensure that the right things are done” to safeguard Ghana’s longstanding culture of peaceful coexistence.

Okudzeto Ablakwa Adds Voice on Religious Debate

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for the North Tongu Constituency in the Volta Region of Ghana, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, called for urgent reflection on the state of Ghana’s education system, urging stakeholders to focus on ethical and civic responsibility rather than minor disciplinary practices.

“Instead of focusing on how strict religious teachings are enforced in our schools or the unusual link between short hair and discipline, it is time to ponder the real issues,” Hon. Ablakwa said.

He expressed concern that the educational system is producing graduates who create mass unemployment, degrade the environment, and engage in destructive practices such as illegal mining.

“Why is our educational system producing graduates who destroy our environment, pollute rivers, and create public health crises in the pursuit of greed?” he asked.

The lawmaker also warned about the lack of ethical leadership among graduates, noting that some engage in unconscionable financial transactions and prioritize personal gain over national development and the welfare of future generations.

“To me, these are the weightier matters that need our attention. Religion is real living, but it must be accompanied by responsible citizenship,” Hon. Ablakwa added.

PRESEC-Legon Headmaster Appeals for Support

David OdjiDja while presenting his report acknowledged that a lot has been done for the school in terms of development, however, a lot more needs to be done if they intend to transition from the double track system.

He called on government to provide the school with more teachers and dormitories to be able to house their students and ensure proper supervision.

“Mr Chairman, in spite of the support we received from stakeholders, particularly government, old boys, and the church, we are still grappling with some challenges due to the continuous increase in enrollment. The head boy mentioned some of them.”

“I want to emphasise, as we speak, we have a deficit when it comes to furniture in the classroom, in the dormitory, in the library, in the dining hall, and anywhere students gather,” he said.

“We have inadequate space for any school gathering, and that is a very important issue for us. Assembly, church service, entertainment are all done outside, and when it threatens to rain, the game will be over.”

“We need more teachers on campus. Even though we run the double-track system, at any point in time, we have about 4,000 students in school, and monitoring becomes a challenge. We’ll be grateful to have additional accommodation for staff on campus.”