Cape Coast, March 15, GNA - The Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast on Sunday held a church service as part of activities to mark the 100th birthday of Dr Francis Ludwic Bartels, the first Ghanaian Headmaster of the School who is still alive.

The immediate past United Nations Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, an old boy who was the main speaker, praised Dr. Bartels for his selflessness, hard work and dedication to duty and encouraged his students to aspire to greater heights.

He said when he was enrolled in the school some 50 years ago it never occurred to him that he would reach that far in life and praised the first headmaster for imbibing qualities such as hard work and perseverance in them.

Mr. Annan told the students that they were privileged to have gained admission into one of the best schools in the country and advised them to avail themselves of the opportunities being offered them. He said they should remain disciplined and time-conscious since time is a factor of production and do away with procrastinations because it could cost them in future. The Headmaster, Mr. Mieza Edjah, urged the students to let role models like Mr Annan inspire and spur them on to study harder, be disciplined and to chart a better course for their future. He said a new dormitory under construction would be named "Kofi Annan" house to serve as a monument in his memory.