The General Manager of Schools of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Mr. Daniel Yeboah Hienno, has called for a renewed commitment to the foundational values that have shaped Presbyterian education for more than a century.
He made the call on Wednesday at the 8th Annual Consultation on Education at the Ramseyer Training Centre, Abetifi‑Kwahu, held under the theme “Building on the Foundation Already Laid: Our Mission to Transform Society.” Mr. Heinno described the consultation as a timely moment for reflection, reminding participants that the theme was “not a slogan but a call to action.”
He traced the roots of Presbyterian education to the Basel missionaries and the Salem schools established in 1843, noting that they laid more than physical structures—they established a philosophy built on training the head, the heart and the hand. This 3H model, he said, produced graduates who were productive, disciplined and committed to national development.
Highlighting the church’s vast educational footprint, he stated that the PCG currently manages 1,024 kindergarten schools, 882 primary schools, 743 junior high schools, several senior high and technical schools, five colleges of education and two universities. He also emphasised the church’s historic commitment to inclusive education, including facilities for the blind and deaf, and its pioneering role in introducing kindergarten education in Ghana in 1925.
Mr. Hienno noted that Presbyterian schools have long championed literacy in local languages, mathematics and science—efforts aimed at strengthening conceptual understanding and academic excellence. These achievements, he said, were made possible by the church’s enduring values of discipline, integrity and service.
Turning to current priorities, he stressed the need to build on the foundation laid by the forebears. The Schools Unit, he said, continues to intensify capacity‑building programmes to enhance professional competence and modern teaching skills. “We are investing in our leadership because we are investing in the future of education,” he stated.
He outlined ongoing infrastructure improvements, including classroom renovations, new school blocks, staff accommodation and vehicles for regional managers. He also mentioned the establishment of school clinics, noting that healthy children are better positioned to access quality education in safe and comfortable environments.
Mr. Hienno underscored the importance of collaboration across institutions, explaining that educational challenges cannot be solved in isolation. He cited the example of Presbyterian Girls’ High School, whose examination management practices have been adopted by other schools to curb malpractice. “Whatever happens in one school must become a lesson for others,” he said.
He reaffirmed the church’s commitment to producing graduates of integrity. “Our mission is to transform society,” he said. “We must not compromise our values and Christian discipline.” Despite the challenges, he encouraged participants to remain steadfast.
“We will continue to build on the foundation laid by our forebears—discipline, education, service, God and country,” he declared. Let us work together to ensure that Presbyterian education continues to shine brightly, illuminating the path for generations to come,” he said. “May God grant us the wisdom to learn from each other, grow together, live together and pray together.”
By Jerome Otchere
