One of Ghana’s iconic and astute businessmen, Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong, has handed over a newly constructed 600-bed dormitory to the management of Presbyterian Boys' Senior High School as part of activities marking his 60th birthday.
The two-storey fully furnished dormitory, completed within six months, is expected to help ease congestion on campus and improve students’ living conditions.
The project was conceived in response to growing concerns over overcrowding at the school, particularly following the sharp rise in enrollment under the Free SHS programme.
Commissioning
The official commissioning ceremony, held on Tuesday, May 5, on the PRESEC campus in Accra, attracted the crème de la crème of Ghana’s business, political, and educational circles.
The well-attended event, themed “Celebration of Life and Legacy,” brought together members of the PRESEC Old Boys Association from various year groups, family and friends of the celebrant, as well as council members, staff, and students of the school.
Activities at the ceremony included speeches, solidarity messages, the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in honour of Dr Ofori Sarpong, the formal commissioning of the dormitory, inspection of the facility by dignitaries, as well as dedication and blessing prayers.
The occasion was further enlivened by impressive performances from the vibrant PRESEC School Choir and the school band, who thrilled guests with their exceptional display.
Notable among the attendees were CEO of the Despite Group, Dr Osei Kwame Despite, Chairman for the ocassion, Rev. Ebenezer Samuel Markwei, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, the Right Reverend Dr Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, CEO of Vodafone Ghana, Ing. Patricia Obo Nai and Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrissu.
Also present were Former Speaker of Parliament, Prof Mike Ocquaye, Headmaster of Presbyterian Boys' Senior High School, Mr David Odjidja, Deputy Director-General of Ghana Education Service, Prof. Smile Gavua Dzisi, New Patriotic Party 2028 Flagbearer Aspirant, Dr Brian Acheampong, founder of the New Force Party, Nana Kwame Bediako and former Minister for Health, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye.
Legacy
Dr Ofori Sarpong described the project a symbol of gratitude, responsibility, and commitment to future generations.
Speaking as both Board Chairman and Global President of the PRESEC Old Boys Association, Dr Ofori Sarpong reflected emotionally on his journey from a quiet student admitted to PRESEC in 1988 to becoming one of the school’s leading benefactors.
According to the philanthropist, PRESEC did more than educate him — it shaped his character, confidence, discipline, and resilience. He recalled arriving at the school as an introvert but leaving empowered and transformed by the institution’s culture and values.
He said the school played a defining role in his personal and professional life, and that the donation of the ultramodern dormitory was his way of giving back under what he described as the “law of reciprocity.”
“As the school gave to me, I also have a responsibility to give back to the school,” he stated.
He explained that as he approached his 60th birthday, he reflected deeply on what legacy project would have lasting impact and concluded that investing in education and student welfare would be more meaningful than any personal celebration.
Dr Ofori Sarpong pointed out that PRESEC’s student population has grown from about 1,000 during his time in school to over 6,000 today, making additional infrastructure urgently necessary.
Addressing students, he encouraged them to use the new facility responsibly and see it as a place where friendships, discipline, leadership, and dreams can flourish. He reminded them that they are beneficiaries of sacrifices made by earlier generations and challenged them to one day continue the cycle of giving back.
He also used the occasion to inspire fellow old students to support the school in whatever way they can, emphasizing that impactful contributions do not always need to be extravagant. He praised other PRESEC alumni, including Bryan Acheampong, for undertaking additional infrastructure projects for the school, particularly teacher accommodation.
He further expressed appreciation to the project team, architects, and staff of his company for their dedication in ensuring the successful completion of the project within a short period.
Concluding his speech, he said the dormitory should stand as a lasting legacy of unity, hope, excellence, and service, adding that he hopes it will continue to benefit generations of PRESEC students long into the future.
Infrastructure boost for PRESEC
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has announced a major infrastructure package for Presbyterian Boys' Senior High School as part of celebrations marking 200 years of the Presbyterian Church in Ghana and 90 years of the school.
Speaking at the commissioning of a 600-bed dormitory donated by businessman Ernest Ofori Sarpong, the Minister revealed that the Government of Ghana, through GETFund, will between 2027 and 2028 undertake several projects at PRESEC.
The projects include: a 5,000-seater assembly hall, two-storey boys’ dormitory, two 12-unit classroom blocks and two 12-seater KVIP sanitary facilities.
According to the Minister, the intervention is both in recognition of the Presbyterian Church’s bicentennial celebration and as a reciprocal gesture to Dr. Ofori Sarpong’s contribution toward improving infrastructure at the school.
Mr Iddrisu praised Dr. Ofori Sarpong for combining entrepreneurial success with social responsibility, describing his donation as an example of how private wealth can support national development and education.
The Minister also commended PRESEC for maintaining its reputation as one of Ghana’s leading secondary schools, particularly in science education, and stressed the importance of expanding infrastructure to match growing enrollment under the Free SHS programme.
He reaffirmed government commitment to sustaining Free SHS through improved funding and expanded facilities, adding that increased infrastructure would help schools like PRESEC transition smoothly while reducing congestion and improving academic delivery.
Transformational project
The Headmaster of Presbyterian Boys' Senior High School, David Odjidja, has praised businessman and philanthropist Ernest Ofori Sarpong for funding and delivering an ultramodern 600-bed dormitory facility for the school as part of celebrations marking his 60th birthday.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Mr. Odjidja described the project as unprecedented in the history of PRESEC and a major boost to the school’s efforts to transition fully from the double-track system to a single-track academic calendar.
The headmaster emphasized that PRESEC, founded in 1938 by the Presbyterian Church with only 16 students, has now grown to over 6,000 students, largely due to increased enrollment under Ghana’s Free SHS policy.
He mentioned that while the school remains one of the best-performing secondary institutions in Ghana and the sub-region—especially in science education—the rapid increase in student numbers has placed enormous pressure on existing infrastructure.
According to him, the school currently lacks enough classrooms, dormitories, dining halls, an assembly hall, staff accommodation, and other auxiliary facilities needed to support effective teaching and learning.
He revealed that PRESEC would require at least 48 additional classrooms and dormitory space for about 2,000 students to fully achieve single-track status within the government’s targeted timeline.
Mr Odjidja expressed profound gratitude to Dr. Ofori Sarpong, who also serves as Board Chairman and Global President of the Odadee fraternity, for what he called a visionary legacy project.
He disclosed that when discussions first began, he expected a smaller 300-bed facility, but was surprised when the project expanded into a 600-bed ultramodern structure.
The headmaster also highlighted the speed of construction, noting that there was no visible structure on the site as recently as September 2025. Construction officially began in December, and the facility was completed within six months, which he described as remarkable and achievable only through divine grace and commitment.
He further commended PRESEC alumni groups and individual old students for their continued support through infrastructure projects and donations, adding that several additional projects are either completed or ongoing on campus.
Mr Odjidja appealed to more old students, stakeholders, and development partners to support PRESEC’s infrastructure drive to make the transition to single-track education possible.
He also acknowledged ongoing support and commitments from the Ministry of Education and the GETFund.
Concluding his remarks, the PRESEC headmaster reaffirmed the school’s commitment to maintaining academic excellence and pledged that management and staff would ensure proper maintenance and protection of the newly commissioned facility.
