James Piccot, the first Headmaster of Mfantsipim SHS

James Piccot the eighteen(18) year-old French Scholar was the first Headmaster of the first Senior High School in Gold Coast (Ghana), Wesleyan School now Mfantsipim Boy’s Senior High School.

Mfantsipim Boy’s School High School was established by in the year 1897 by the Wesleyan Missionaries to train individuals and promote literacy in the country. The Mfantsipim Boy’s School started with seventeen (17)students. The school is situated in Cape Coast, the formal capital city of Gold Coast and the capital town of Central Region.

James Piccot received his appointment letter as the first head master of the prestigious Mfantsipim School at the age eighteen and that make him the  youngest and first headmaster in the history of the school.

During his tenure of office as the headmaster of the school, James Piccot was able put relevant measures in place to sell the school since it was the first Secondary school to be founded in Gold Coast.

James Piccot due to his potentials and leadership skills, many students were enrolled both indegenous and the mollatoes with an equal opportunity to study the same Curriculum with motives of promoting inclusivity.

Despite his age, James Piccot work tirelessly and showed a spectacular leadership skills by bringing all School going age to classroom in order for them to achieve their goals.

James Piccot payed his dues well in maintaining the  aims and objectives of the school, that is promoting literacy,moral and good spiritual life accordingly with Wesleyan norms and values .

He was applaud by the Wesleyan Missionaries for his consistency as the head master.

James Piccot, will never be left out when mentioning prominent  individuals who has played a significant role in promoting the School from basis.

Mfantsipim School with a nickname ‘Kwabotwe’ is one of the best second cycle schools in Ghana with two victories in the National Science and Maths Quiz, 1994 and 2004 respectively.

Some Alumni of the school are Paa Kwasi Amissah Arthur Bekoe former deputy governor of bank of Ghana and former vice President of Ghana,Kofi Annan (former UN General Secretary), Raphael Armatoe (Scientists) ,Kobina Sekyi and Joseph Ephraim Casely Hayford.

The motto of the School is ”Dwen Hwɛ Kan” meaning Think and Look Ahead