What Does Mfantsipim As A Brand Represent?

Depending on one's perception, Mfantsipim, as a brand, has for over a century, meant many philosophies. What then are the attributes of the Mfantsipim brand?  What qualities of life are ingrained in students who pass through the School? What heritage is bequeathed us as old boys?

To define these attributes, we need to refer to the School's Anthem, Song, History, Motto, and Culture, the objectives for establishing Mfantsipim, as well as the Vision and Mission of the School.  We need to identify the qualities the Founding Fathers desired students imbibe, by graduation, to serve as his character.

Without hesitation, it is important to quote from Sir Gordon Hadow, a former Deputy Governor of Ghana's speech during the November 1956 Speech Day at Mfantsipim where  stated inter alia:-

…Certain qualities which the Old Boys of Mfantsipim have in common in greater or less degree are basically the capacity to apply one's mind objectively to the great variety of problems one meets in life. It is essentially a taught capacity, not a natural flair - a capacity which has been gained the hard way, by strenuous and continuous endeavour at the school desk. The fortunate man who has acquired it takes each problem as it comes; examines it coolly, with his emotions kept carefully under control; sets dismisses all irrelevances; and reaches his conclusion by an orderly process of thought.

Having reached his conclusion about a particular problem, the possessor of this quality may find it distasteful. However, he does not abandon it on this account. On the contrary, however distasteful it may be, he does not flinch from facing it, nor pretend that the process of thought has actually, led him to some different and more acceptable conclusion.

Having swallowed what may often be an unpalatable conclusion, the individual forms a considered judgement of his part in the situation and proceeds to take action in accordance with the dictates of his conscience.

The quality I seem to detect in my Mfantsipim acquaintances is compounded of mental discipline, honesty, and moral courage. This is a rare and formidable combination. It is rare in every country in the world and I will not be so disingenuous as to suggest that every boy who passes through Mfantsipim automatically becomes imbued with it. But I will and do suggest that all of you here at Mfantsipim have access to this quality, and that it is up to you to claim it as your own or not.

Your school has produced many leaders, and if society at large has recognized them as such, then in all probability, society has noted in them a capacity for service; for capacity for service is a precondition of leadership. I wholeheartedly believe that there is great need in the world for leadership which has graduated through service and is mentally and morally equipped as I have described. Someone has said that 'the men who move the world are the men whom the world cannot move'. He doubtless had in mind the sort of character of which I have been speaking about and, I venture to think, have felt very much at home, with the founding fathers of Mfantsipim. He would have rejoiced, as I do, that they had so well-prepared the Mfantsipim soil in which these characteristics can freely be cultivated, to the lasting benefit of the community as a whole.

Bartels' comments on these words were:
To have had a part in building a school which could earn such a comment, to have shared in guiding it through days of difficulty, in giving it a place in the affection of the people, and in making it a centre of Christian education and influence - that was the privilege of the Methodist Church in England and in Ghana.'

The Aborigines' Rights Protection Society had as one of its principal objectives, the protection of the rights of the aborigines of the Gold Coast at all times. They saw the School as a vehicle to 'foster in the rising generations knowledge of their past by encouraging the study of the laws, customs and constitutions of their country,  promoting a sound national educational policy with particular attention to agriculture, scientific and industrial training and facilitating  the spread of industry and thrift in the country.'

We should expect many qualities visible in the personality of individuals who graduate from Mfantsipim, irrespective of the number of years they spend in the School before entering the outside world.

These include striving:-
to be good statesmen;
for selfless leadership;
to be of service to all;
to be nationalistic;
for academic and social Excellence;
for humility;
for equality;
for spiritual development;
for justice;
for fairness and equality before God and man;
to be honest;
for faithfulness, nobleness and boldness as our predecessors;

for distinction in practicability and innovation;
to defend the defenceless;
to be the embodiment of  virtues;
to develop one's talents for the benefit of mankind;

to be of gentle disposition;
for bravery during challenging times;
allegiance to the School.
The ethos of Mfantsipim is about:-
building a just society of shared values and destinies.

advancing the humanities, vocation, science, technology and innovation for all;

an apprenticeship institution where students are eternally prepared  with distinction to  produce distinguished gentlemen;

discipline, religious  training, excellence, courage, honesty, loyalty, service, conviction, integrity and patriotism for both students and staff;  -  Lockhart Character or Spirit;

exemplary selfless, purpose-driven, and visionary leadership for societal transformation;

educated and cultured gentlemen with intellect, sharpened critical faculties, a sense of curiosity, originality and initiative to accept and cope with the challenges in Ghana and the world over;

a philosophy, culture, values and ethics;
living a fulfilled life, irrespective of profession;

being a wise, loyal, industrious, and honest statesman and a perfect Christian;

thoughtfulness and foresight in every human endeavour;

never missing any of its public functions; actively participating to enhance its brand and develop the School;

a truly national institution as  envisaged by its Founders – where every tribe finds equal opportunity to develop;

every student having knowledge of the arts and crafts as a HOBBY to enrich his life in vocational skills;

rising and defending the vulnerable;
successful men who, with their boldness, inspire their generation and the next, to face the problems of their own continent

the realization that the African was not inferior; was intellectually better than the white man despite his so-called cephalic index -  in 1935, whilst the Pass List in Cambridge Examinations was 61%, in Mfantsipim it was 85%;

pledging of allegiance to the School by singing the School Anthem at the beginning and end of all gatherings;

the spirit of sportsmanship, rule of law, cohesion, focus, and provision of amusement in her products;

FAITHFULNESS and LOYALTY above all else;
Prof. A. Adu Boahen's book, Mfantsipim and the Making of Ghana reiterates:

But it is a greater privilege still to be an Old Boy of such a school; it is an onus on all Old Boys to help the School continue to live up to its traditions, achievements and reputation, and to make even greater contributions to the development of our country. Ultimately, we should always be mindful of and live up to the motto of the School: DWEN HWE KAN.'

Finally, the Mfantsipim Brand is embedded Philippians 4:8-9 -

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever   things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. These things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.'

This critique 'What Does Mfantsipim Stand for as a Brand' from Sir Gordon Hadow's speech constitutes attributes available and accessible to every boy who passes through Mfantsipim School. Therefore, it is up to each boy, old or current, either to claim them as his own or not.

 By Magnus Rex Danquah