The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, has called on the Government of Ghana and the Ministry of Education to restore the authority of educators to enforce discipline in schools, describing discipline as a national foundation that must be urgently rebuilt.
He made the call at the opening of a two‑day National Conference on “Stemming the Growing Indiscipline in Schools in an Emerging Era” at the Eusbett International Conference Centre in Sunyani on Wednesday. The conference brought together policymakers, educators, traditional and religious leaders, parents, teachers, and students to develop a policy framework to address the rising challenge of indiscipline in Ghanaian schools.
Speaking with characteristic clarity and conviction, the Moderator stressed that empowering teachers to apply appropriate disciplinary measures is essential for building a culture of integrity, responsibility, respect for authority, and good character. As leader of a church renowned for its emphasis on discipline, he noted that the erosion of discipline in schools threatens the moral fabric of the nation.
Quoting a Ga proverb— “When you eat a strong‑smelling fish, you need a very hot pepper”— he emphasised that indiscipline cannot be addressed with passive or casual responses. “The issue of indiscipline requires very, very hot pepper,” he said, expressing hope that the conference would produce bold and practical recommendations capable of reversing the trend.
The Moderator warned that the consequences of today’s indiscipline will be magnified in the future, stressing that “the children of today will become the adults of tomorrow.” He urged parents to model disciplined lifestyles for their children and called on all stakeholders—traditional authorities, political leaders, educators, churches, and communities—to work together to build a disciplined nation.
He reminded participants that Ghana’s future depends on the choices of its citizens: “Ghana is a beautiful country, but the only people who can destroy this country are the people of Ghana.” He pledged the Presbyterian Church of Ghana’s full support in the national effort to restore discipline.
The Moderator was accompanied by senior clergy and officials from the Brong Ahafo and Asante Presbyteries, including Rev. Benjamin Appiah, Rev. Samuel Ahimah Yeboah, Rev. Wilberforce Takyi, Rev. Emmanuel Oppong, Rev. Carl Henry Clerk, Rev. Vincent Kwame Osei, and media personnel Emmanuel Asamoah.
Brong Ahafo Presbytery, Public Relations & Media Unit
