Adisadel College has celebrated its 116th Anniversary, Speech and Prize-Giving Day, featuring a strong call on the youth to steer clear of drug abuse due to its devastating effects on personal development and national progress.
George Opare Addo, Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment and an old student of the College, said drug abuse eroded health, derailed education and destroyed futures, leaving young people vulnerable to crime, mental illness and lost opportunities.
He made the call when he joined more than 4,000 students and past students at a colourful ceremony held in black-and-white décor at the famous Adisadel College Centenary Auditorium on Saturday.
As the Special Guest of Honour, the Minister spoke on the theme: “Empowering Generations: Education for Life, Health for Living, Sports for Legacy.”
The 2001-Year Group, which hosted the celebration, remodelled the historic Drury Gymnasium with modern equipment to restore and modernise it for students’ use.
Mr Opare Addo revealed that the government had taken decisive action against the rising tide of drug abuse among the youth by launching the “Red Means Stop” campaign to educate young people on the devastating health, social and economic consequences of narcotics.
The initiative, he said, emphasised preventive strategies, including widespread awareness campaigns, counselling sessions and partnerships with communities, schools and local organisations to foster a drug-free environment.
Reflecting on his youth, Mr Opare Addo reminisced about his days as a “smallish” student in 1997 at the hilltop school, where he climbed the famous 83 steps daily up to the classrooms in the morning and back to the dormitory in the evening.
“That gruelling routine taught me invaluable lessons in resilience and determination,” he said, drawing parallels to the perseverance needed to confront modern challenges such as drug abuse.
He urged the youth to channel similar determination into positive peer pressure to build brighter futures, noting that the campaign had already reached many students since its rollout last year.
He also advised students to embrace education as the foundation for a fulfilling life, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to navigate future challenges and build lasting legacies.
Students should prioritise their health through balanced living and wellness practices, as a strong body and mind were essential for success in all pursuits, he added.
They should equally engage actively in sports to build discipline, teamwork and resilience, turning personal victories into a generational legacy of excellence and empowerment.
Paul Pinnock Bosu, Director-General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and an alumnus of the institution, in his keynote address, admonished students to embrace discipline in all aspects of their lives.
He said discipline fostered self-control, academic success and positive character development, enabling students to achieve long-term goals despite distractions.
Prof Bosu also regretted that some students of the College had recently made negative headlines due to unruly behaviour, tarnishing the school’s reputation and attracting widespread criticism.
Such incidents, he said, highlighted the urgent need to avoid negative recognition, as they undermined institutional pride and future opportunities for students.
Mr Samuel Kofi Agudogo, Headmaster of the College, and Mr Godwin Papa Ainu, Head Prefect, commended the school’s old boys for their invaluable contributions to enhancing teaching and learning for more than 4,000 students.
While acknowledging the tremendous support of alumni in infrastructure development, Mr Agudogo called for greater investment in facilities to sustain the school’s progress.
They highlighted the school’s achievements in quiz competitions and sports, and particularly praised the newly installed fountain, which had enhanced the school’s scenic appeal and created a serene space for reflection.
They also noted the completion of a new state-of-the-art Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) building equipped with modern laboratories and tools to promote innovation, critical thinking and hands-on learning.
Mr Agudogo further commended the students’ commitment to discipline and the contributions of both teaching and non-teaching staff in improving teaching and learning standards.
Adisadel College, popularly known as “Adisco,” is an Anglican boys’ boarding school in Cape Coast, founded in 1910 by Nathaniel Temple Hamlyn as the SPG Grammar School with 29 boys, later renamed St Nicholas Grammar School in 1924.
In 1936, the school relocated to its current hilltop site at Adisadel and adopted its present name. It grew significantly, reaching 545 students by its 1960 Golden Jubilee and more than 1,500 students with 93 teachers by its 2010 centenary following several expansions.
Modelled on English public schools, Adisco ranks among Ghana’s oldest secondary institutions and was listed 10th in Africa’s top 100 high schools in 2003 by Africa Almanac for its education quality and alumni impact.
Source: GNA
