Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC-Legon) celebrated a significant milestone on Saturday, November 29, with its 87th Speech and Prize-Giving Day. The vibrant ceremony attracted a distinguished gathering, including current students, ministers of state, old students, government officials, and parents, all united in honoring the school’s enduring legacy. This year’s event was proudly powered by the Odadeɛ 2000 Year Group (Y2K), who received widespread acclaim for meticulously organizing the celebration and delivering a transformative legacy project for the institution.

A highlight of the day was the official unveiling of a fully refurbished dining hall, a monumental legacy project undertaken by the Odadeɛ Y2K cohort. The comprehensive renovation of the school’s main dining facility is aimed at significantly enhancing the dining experience for students and supporting the school’s rapidly growing student population. The project was formally handed over to the school during the vibrant activities of the Speech and Prize-Giving Day, symbolizing the enduring commitment of alumni to PRESEC’s growth and development.

The event also served as a platform to recognize outstanding student achievements. Awards were presented to first-year students who demonstrated exceptional performance in tests covering both core and elective subjects, while Form 2 students were also duly acknowledged for their efforts. Special recognition was given for excellence in sports, celebrating the athletic prowess within the school. Notably, 47 students who achieved the remarkable feat of scoring 8As in the 2024 WASSCE were honored with laptops and certificates, underscoring PRESEC’s commitment to academic distinction.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a proud old student and member of the 1999 year group, served as the esteemed guest speaker. Addressing the gathering on the theme, “Celebrating Our Heritage, Shaping Future Leaders Through Discipline and Academic Excellence,” he expressed profound honor and humility at being chosen for the occasion by the year group just a year behind him at school.

In his address, Minister Ablakwa passionately articulated that PRESEC’s heritage is not merely historical but a vibrant, living legacy deeply rooted in faith, discipline, scholarship, and integrity. He emphasized, “When we celebrate PRESEC’s heritage, we celebrate a heritage of faith grounded in Presbyterian values, a heritage of discipline, a heritage of academic excellence recognized across Ghana and beyond, and a heritage of integrity which holds every Odadeɛ to a higher standard.”

Further emphasizing the school’s distinguished standing, a representative of the Ministry of Education delivered a message on behalf of the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, and the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, Professor N.S. Kofi Davis. The representative lauded PRESEC for its consistent academic excellence, unwavering discipline, and its pivotal role in developing outstanding leaders for the nation. Referencing the school’s impressive track record, she highlighted achievements such as the National Science and Maths Quiz and being 2025 champions of the Senior High School Renewable Energy Challenge, affirming that these accomplishments are a testament to PRESEC’s rich heritage. She also underscored the critical importance of discipline, stating, “The theme ‘discipline to shape future leaders’ reminds us that being a leader without discipline is pointless and having discipline without a goal is pointless.”

The 87th Speech and Prize-Giving Day therefore served as a powerful affirmation of PRESEC-Legon’s foundational ideals and its continuous commitment to nurturing future leaders through a blend of strong Presbyterian values, academic rigor, and disciplined character development, all bolstered by the steadfast support of its vibrant alumni community.