The Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Eric Edem Agbana, has reaffirmed the transformative power of education, urging the newly inducted leadership of the Peki Senior High School Old Students Association (PESCOSA) to deploy strategic leadership and harness existing networks to drive sustainable development at their alma mater.

Mr Agbana delivered the charge on Saturday, 14th February, when he served as Special Guest of Honour at the induction ceremony of PESCOSA’s National Executive Committee (NEC), held at the GNAT Hall in Nungua. The event was organised under the theme, “Rebranding PESCOSA for Strategic Leadership and Sustainable School Support.”

Declaring that “education is the only lever”, the MP stressed that meaningful progress in the Volta Region and across the country must be anchored in deliberate and sustained investment in education.

The ceremony witnessed the swearing-in of newly elected executives led by President-elect Mr David Kwame Aziago.

Explaining his presence at the ceremony, Mr Agbana cited both personal and institutional motivations. He disclosed that his longstanding friendship with the new President influenced his decision to attend, notwithstanding his typically demanding parliamentary schedule, particularly at weekends.

He also conveyed greetings from the Majority Chief Whip of the Ninth Parliament, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, who was unable to attend due to official parliamentary engagements.

Reflecting on his own background, the MP described education as the critical catalyst that had shaped his life trajectory. He noted that his journey, from modest beginnings as the son of a charcoal seller, driver and petty trader to becoming a Member of Parliament, was made possible solely through investment in education.

He encouraged the association to leverage the prevailing political landscape, observing that the Volta Region is strategically positioned to benefit from key national appointments held by its sons and daughters.

In particular, he referenced the Chairman of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzra, as one of several influential figures whose support could be mobilised to advance infrastructural projects at the school.

According to Mr Agbana, significant development could be realised within a relatively short period if the association strategically tapped into its networks and partnerships, rather than relying exclusively on government funding.

Beyond physical infrastructure, the MP expressed concern about declining discipline in senior high schools, describing it as one of the most pressing challenges confronting educational institutions in the region.

He cautioned that the true measure of a school’s success lies not merely in its buildings, but in the values and virtues cultivated among its students.

He therefore urged PESCOSA to balance infrastructural expansion with deliberate efforts to strengthen character formation and moral discipline.

Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Superintendent Mr Fatherland Kyei, described the induction as a historic first for the association and appealed to alumni to rally behind the new leadership. He reminded the executives that leadership carries both honour and responsibility, requiring commitment and sacrifice.

In his acceptance speech, President-elect Mr David Kwame Aziago pledged to lead with integrity, unity, transparency and accountability. He outlined plans to deepen alumni engagement across Ghana and the diaspora, enhance networking platforms, strengthen member welfare systems and organise what he described as the most impactful homecoming event during the school’s 70th anniversary in 2027.

Mr Aziago also announced the association’s intention to construct a legacy entrance gate as a symbolic project to mark the milestone celebration.

Quoting Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, he urged members to adopt a forward-looking posture, emphasising the need to transition from dialogue to decisive action.

The ceremony concluded with the formal administration of the oath of office to all executives, signalling the commencement of a new chapter for PESCOSA as it seeks to reposition itself as a strategic driver of development for Peki Senior High School.