Creech’s Mfantsipim Diaries: Sermon or Pat Thomas’ Gyae Su?

Creech’s Mfantsipim Diaries: Sermon or Pat Thomas’ Gyae Su?

Opinion 5 minutes read

Creech’s Mfantsipim Diaries: Sermon or Pat Thomas’ Gyae Su?

#150 #Anniversary #Mfantsipim #MOBA

Mfantsipim School, being a Methodist institution, had its own carefully structured religious life. Sundays were divided into two church services. In the mornings, boys were allowed to attend worship according to their denominations, while the evening service was a joint gathering held at the Assembly Hall.

The morning services were spread across campus. The Methodists worshipped in the Assembly Hall, other denominations gathered in various classrooms, and we Catholics held our Mass in the dining hall. Because the Catholic service usually ended earlier than the others, many non-Catholic boys often found their way to our service.

As a Catholic, I was always at the dining hall on Sunday mornings.

One particular Sunday remains unforgettable.


The Reverend Father who was supposed to officiate failed to show up. In his absence, Ms Garbrah, one of the patrons of the Catholic students, took charge and began preaching to the congregation.

The atmosphere was calm and attentive.

Then, without warning, the familiar taxi arrived.

Just as it always did, it announced itself with blaring music and parked at its usual spot at the dining hall parking area. But this time, the driver was playing Gyae Su by Pat Thomas.

Boys remained seated quietly at first, appearing to listen dutifully to Ms Garbrah’s sermon.

Then came the chorus.

As if directed by an invisible choir master, the entire congregation suddenly erupted in perfect unison:

“Nana ei masane aboo… Gyae su oo! Gyae su oo!”

Ms Garbrah froze in disbelief.

The realization quickly dawned on her that boys were paying far more attention to Pat Thomas than to her preaching. Deeply disappointed, she chastised all of us before directing a senior boy to go down to the taxi driver and order him to stop the music at once.

I still remember exactly where I sat during that unforgettable service, between Ragus and Biggie on the first table after the prefects’ table, all of us struggling unsuccessfully to maintain the solemn faces expected at Mass.


Today, as Mfantsipim celebrates its 150th Anniversary, memories such as this remind us that the history of the school is not built only on academic achievements, distinguished alumni, and celebrated milestones. It is also built on the countless experiences, friendships, lessons, and moments of shared laughter that shaped generations of Mfantsipim boys.

Beneath the humour of that Sunday morning lies the enduring ethos of Mfantsipim: Service, Honesty, Discipline, Integrity, Obedience, Respect, Humility, and Leadership.

The boys’ spontaneous response to Gyae Su may have momentarily disrupted the solemnity of the service, but it also reflected the youthful spirit that Mfantsipim has always sought to mould rather than suppress. Ms Garbrah’s correction and the expectation that order be restored were reminders of the discipline, obedience, respect, and humility that formed an integral part of life on the hill. Humility taught us that no matter how intelligent, talented, or accomplished we might become, there was always room for correction, growth, and learning from others.

Indeed, some of life’s most enduring lessons were learned not only in classrooms, chapels, and assembly halls, but also in moments such as these. Through dedicated teachers, housemasters, chaplains, and school leadership, Mfantsipim consistently instilled values that transformed young boys into responsible men of character. Every experience, whether serious or humorous, became part of a larger journey of growth, accountability, humility, and leadership.

For 150 years, Mfantsipim has stood as a beacon of excellence, producing generations of men who have served and continue to serve Ghana, Africa, and the world with distinction. The school’s true legacy lies not merely in the accomplishments of its alumni, but in the values that have guided them—service above self, honesty in conduct, integrity in action, discipline in character, humility in success, respect for others, obedience to worthy principles, and leadership in every sphere of life.

As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we must honour those who came before us and laid the foundation upon which we stand today. We must also reaffirm our commitment to preserving the traditions and values that have made Mfantsipim great.

And as we look beyond this historic anniversary toward the next 150 years, the challenge before every Mfantsipim boy—past, present, and future—is clear. Buildings may change, technology may evolve, and the world will undoubtedly present new opportunities and challenges, but the core values that define Mfantsipim must remain constant. Future generations must continue to uphold the principles of service, honesty, discipline, integrity, obedience, respect, humility, and leadership with the same conviction that has sustained the school for a century and a half.

If they do, Mfantsipim’s legacy will not merely endure—it will flourish. The school will continue to produce men of courage, character, competence, and compassion, ready to lead, to serve, and to make a positive difference wherever they find themselves. They will understand that true leadership is rooted not in privilege or position, but in service; not in self-promotion, but in humility; and not in personal gain, but in a commitment to the greater good.

That unforgettable Sunday remains a cherished memory. Yet beyond the laughter and nostalgia, it serves as a reminder that the true strength of Mfantsipim lies not only in the moments we remember, but in the values those moments helped to reinforce.

Let us give thanks for the past, take pride in the present, and look forward with confidence to the future, trusting that the spirit of Dwen Hwe Kan will continue to inspire and guide generations of boys for the next 150 years and beyond.

Let us invest in its future, let each of us play our part in preserving this proud legacy.

The writer is Philip Creech-Jones of MOBA 1992 (Mfantsipim Old Boys Association).