Ofori Panin Senior High School

Ofori Panin Senior High School
Dwen na Som (Think and Serve)
Address
P. O. Box 11 Kukurantumi Tafo – Kukurantumi Eastern Region Kukurantumi, P.O.Box 11, Tafo -Kukurantumi. 00233 Ghana
Coordinates	05°37′38″N 00°12′49″W / 5.62722°N 0.21361°W / 5.62722; -0.21361
Information
School type	High School Co-educational Boarding / Residential
Religious affiliation(s)	Non-denominational Christian
Established	22nd September, 1961
Opened	1962
Founder	Kwame Nkrumah
Status	Active
School board	Board of Governors
School district	East Akim Municipal District
Oversight	Ghana Education Service
Authorizer	Ministry of Education
Chairperson	Prince Kofi Amoabeng, Chairperson of Board of Governors
Headteacher	Dr. Edmund K. Fianu Dip. ED., BA(Hons), M.A DT.
Chaplain	Rev. Emmanuel Otu.
Gender	Co-ed (Boys/Girls)
Age range	14 to 18 years
Enrollment	c. 2000
Education system	Senior High School
Classes offered	Visual Arts, Home Economics, Science, General Arts
Language	English
Campus	Ofori Panin School
Campus type	Residential garden-style Setting
Houses	8
School colour(s)	Blue and White
Song	OPASS, OUR ALMA MATER
Nickname	OPASS
Publication	Mpaninfoɔ
Alumni	OPASS Alumni Association
Website	www.oforipaninshs.com

Ofori Panin Senior High School (OPASS) is a coeducational second cycle institution institution in Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Ofori Panin School (formerly Tafo-Kukurantumi Senior High school, now nicknamed OPASS), is a co-educational boarding school located at Tafo in Akyem, Eastern Region, Ghana. The school was founded in 1961 by Kwame Nkrumah. The foundation stone of the building was laid on 19 May 1962 by Hon. Kofi Asante Ofori Attah, M.P. for Akim Abuakwa and Minister of Justice at that time. An alumnus/alumna of Ofori Panin is known as an "Opassian".

The motto of the school is "Dwen Na Som" meaning "Think and serve", a reference to the founders' expressed philosophy that starting in the context of school life, male and female, everyone should serve with a thoughtful mind and be ready and willing to serve yourself, your school, family, nation and the world at large.The School Crest was designed using the leopard and other item.The leopard signifies strength and intelligence,a torch, which shows light and brightness on the path to victory,a Cutlass that represents the farming community of Akim Abuakwa,a tree signifying the rainforest of Akyem Abuakwa which provides fertile land for the production of timber and cocoa, the backbone of Ghana's economy.

History

The School was established on 22 September 1961 by Ghana's first President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

Achievements

• Academic performance

The Ancient Greeks put in that “a healthy mind lies in a healthy body.” Really, OPASS jumped upon her success in Sports to achieve great laurels in academic work. The school’s performance at the external examinations at the then “0” and “A” level was worthy of emulation.

It must be noted that the school’s excellent performance at the “Ordinary” Level made the government approve the introduction of the “Advanced” level (6th Form) course in the school in 1974. OPASS is now ranked among the best co educational at second-cycle schools in the country.

With the introduction of the Senior Secondary School programme in 1991, the school began to run courses in the General Arts, General Science, Business, Home Economics and Visual Arts. The Examination results for the last five years have been above 90 percent passes.

• Best teacher awards

In 1962, Hilda Kwabua set the National 880 yards women record at 2 minutes 23.3 seconds during the inter-school and collegiate Athletic meet at the Accra Sports Stadium. She was presented with a gold medal and a trophy by the President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. This, together with other achievements, made Hilda Kwabua earn the epithet, “The pride of Ofori Panin.”

   In 1966, the school won the Eastern Region soccer Trophy.
   Between 1970 and 1976 OPASS won the Eastern Region Inter-school Athletics trophy several times.
   From 1974 to 1976, Mary Manu emerged as the best National Athlete in 440 yards (400 metres) and represented the nation at the Mexico Olympics Games.
   Other outstanding athletes that have helped to put the name of the school on the athletic map of Ghana include J.B. Eshun, Theophilus Twum, Michael Appiah Danquah (alias “W Nana”) Vida Apraku, Mary Badu, Salome Tabua, Charity Mama Oye, E. Ocansey, Anas Mora etc.

• National Debates

Ofori Panin Secondary School emerged as the National Champions of Goil Debating Time on Radio on 12 December 1995. OPASS was declared the winners at the end of a keenly contested debate with Prempeh College on the motion that “Ghana should revert to its former name, the Gold Coast. “OPASS debating team opposed the motion. Earlier in the year, OPASS had defeated several schools in the country on her way to the top.

   1997 OPASS emerged the runners-up in the same Goil debating Time on radio. The school, after bullying other schools in the country, met Prempeh College again in the finals.
   In 1990 Ofori Panin Secondary School participated in the National Independence Inter Schools Debate. She represented the Eastern Region in the competition.
   On 1st March, 2001, OPASS again revealed her ability in debates by emerging as National Champions of the 44th Independence Celebration 4th Debate Competition for secondary schools.
   OPASS defeated St. James Seminary and Secondary School near Sunyani, by speaking for the motion: “Gender Equity in Education is necessary for national Development”.
   Currently we are the Eastern Regional champions (2004).

Science Department

• Ghana National Association of Teachers

The former Headmaster of the school, Mr. K. Amo-Dako, was unanimously elected the National President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (G.N.A.T.) in 1998 at the National Delegates Conference held at the great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

Impact of the school on society

For the past 40 years, the school has turned out men and women who have played enviable roles both in private and public life and in government. Among such great personalities are Nana Adusei Peasah IV, Tafohene; Professor Kwaku Danso-Boa.fo (former Minister of Health); Hon. E.M. Akita (Current Deputy Minister of Defence); Professor E. Apori (Principal, Takoradi Polytechnic); Mr. Abu Boateng (Pharmacist); Mr. K.O. Adu Labi (Bank of Ghana); Mr. K.N. Osei (Legal Practitioner); Mr. N. Osei Appiah (Regional Director, B.N. I.); Dr. Kwame Asamoah (Medical Practitioner); Dr. Kwasi Ofori Frimpong (Soil Scientist); Dr. Foster Amoah Dako (Medical Practitioner); Mr. Smart Yeboah Duah (Private Enterprises Foundation); Mr. K. Kissah-Korsah (Lecturer, U.C.C.); Dr. Maxwell Asante (BSc. PhD. MRCP Consultant Physician & Gastroenterologist, Bromley, Hospital, London.

Principals and heads

References

^{[1] [2] [3]}

1. ↑ http://www.ghananewsagency.org/education/ofori-panin-shs-inducts-headmaster-82366
2. ↑ http://www.oforipaninshs.com/
3. ↑ http://www.opassians.org/History.html