Kwaku Sakyi-Addo urges students to uphold excellence, discipline, character

A Seasoned journalist, Kwaku Sakyi-Addo, has urged students to embrace excellence, discipline and character as guiding principles in their academic and personal lives.

He emphasised that excellence was the relentless pursuit of high quality, not an occasional effort but a daily commitment.

Delivering the keynote address at the 98th Founders’ Day of Achimota School in Accra last Saturday, he encouraged students to challenge themselves to go beyond their limits and cultivate a habit of excellence until it became ingrained in their character.

“Excellence is the pursuit of high quality, always. Not occasionally. Not on Mondays and maybe in the mornings on Thursdays. But always, until it becomes a habit and a part of your character,” he stated.

He was speaking on the theme: “An Enduring Legacy: Excellence, Discipline and Character”.

The event brought together the Old Achimotan Association (OAA), including past students from the 2000, 1985 and 1975 year groups.

Discipline

Mr Sakyi-Addo further described discipline as the cornerstone of achievement, explaining that it drove individuals to take action even when comfort and convenience tempted them to do otherwise.

According to him, discipline built self-control, filtered out distractions and enabled individuals to take ownership of their will, ultimately leading to success.

“Discipline is the highway to excellence. It empowers you to say no when everyone else says it’s okay.

It builds good habits, and habit leads to character,” he added.

Touching on character,  Mr Sakyi-Addo noted that it was the defining quality that distinguishes individuals.

He urged students to uphold strong values, as character shaped destiny.

Giving back to the school

Beyond individual excellence, discipline and character, Mr Sakyi-Addo underscored the importance of giving back to the school.

He mentioned the contributions of past students, including the 85 and 75 year groups, who raised funds for a legacy projects to equip the school’s science laboratory.

Mr Sakyi-Addo also mentioned previous donations, including a $300,000 science lab built in collaboration with Tullow Oil, lawn mowers and tractors donated by the 75-year group and foldable furniture provided by the 85-year group.

Reflecting on the school’s impact, Mr Sakyi-Addo recalled how Achimota School fostered lifelong friendships across ethnic, class and religious lines.

He noted that the shared experiences of boarding school life created unbreakable bonds among students, which they continued to cherish decades later.

Gratitude

The Headmaster of Achimota School, Ebenezer Acquaah, acknowledged the contributions of the OAA and commended them for their continued support.

“We want to take this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to all our friends who have supported the school in various ways constructing new buildings, renovating old structures and providing equipment for student use.