The overall objective of discipline is to reform, not to deform, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, has stated.
In an address to students of Nsaba Presbyterian Senior Secondary School (NSASS), the Moderator said he has been concerned about reports of violence and indiscipline in some secondary schools, but he was glad that such reports have not come from NSASS.
“As a Presbyterian school, you are not only being trained for certificates but also to become disciplined, morally upright individuals who can contribute to society,” he said, stressing that “discipline is not punishment; it is the foundation of character. If you learn punctuality, responsibility, and respect here, you will carry these values into your future careers.”
The Moderator noted that apart from one secondary school in Accra, which is close to his office, NSASS is the only school he has visited twice since assuming office. Years ago, he was present to dedicate the clinic constructed for the school through the Europe Presbytery, and he expressed joy at returning once again.
As expected, he received the school’s “shopping list” of needs. This time, the list was shorter but still pressing, including a classroom block to ease congestion, a new vehicle to replace the old Mahindra, and an assembly hall.
He acknowledged that the assembly hall remains the most prominent issue, assuring the students and staff that he would continue to follow up in the hope that something concrete would be done soon.
The Moderator further observed that infrastructure deficits are common across schools in Ghana. Many institutions lack adequate facilities, but he urged students not to let these challenges deter them from focusing on the core reason they are in school. He reminded them that the habits and discipline they build in school, despite the challenges, will determine how far they go in life.
