Stories and facts
Navrongo Senior High School, located in Navrongo, was founded in September 1960 by Ghana's first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Originally named President's College, Nkrumah envisioned it as a premier educational institution in the northern region of Ghana and promised to follow its progress with keen interest.
The institution was later renamed Navrongo School, or NAVASCO, and its emblem, a horn, symbolizes royalty, bravery, and leadership in northern Ghanaian culture.
The school's motto, "LUX BOREALIS," translates to "The Light of the North," while its alumni are known as NABIA, a term meaning Citizen.
NAVASCO stands out in northern Ghana for its extensive physical infrastructure, contributing significantly to its capacity to educate a large number of students.
A view of Navrongo Senior High School
As the oldest and one of the most esteemed secondary schools in the Upper East Region, it is among the elite educational institutions in northern Ghana. In the 1970s, under the leadership of Mr. MacDonald, a veteran British educator, the school gained a reputation for its agricultural programs.
NAVASCO boasts a dam used for irrigation farming and an orchard near the chapel. The school's extensive farmlands offer teaching and non-teaching staff valuable farming opportunities.
Additional facilities include the Kasadjan Sports Stadium for recreational activities, the renowned MacDonald Hall for assemblies and entertainment, and a well-utilized library that has served both the school and the surrounding community for many years.
A workshop on campus supports carpentry and metal works, reducing the need for external purchases. As of 2015, the school had fourteen residential halls, including Kwegyir Aggrey, John F. Kennedy, Livingstone, Abatey, Ferguson, Garvey, Guggisberg, Nkrumah, Volta, and Abavana halls for male students, and Slessor, Tono, Independence, and Luther King halls for female students.
Academically, NAVASCO offers a range of programs including Agricultural Science, General Science, General Business, General Arts, Visual Arts, and Home Economics, providing students with a variety of academic paths.
A tour of Navrongo Senior High School
The school is equipped with a modern Science Laboratory and a School Farm, which offer practical training for science students. The Debating Society, predominantly frequented by General Arts students, serves as a platform for public speaking training and has produced many prominent politicians.
The school is highly selective, attracting students from across northern Ghana and beyond due to its high academic standards, disciplined student culture, and strong connections.
Its unique student numbering system, known as Folios, ensures that each student has a distinct identifier, fostering a sense of identity and continuity among alumni. NAVASCO’s former students have established a notable presence in the UK, North America, and East Asia.
Throughout its history, NAVASCO has been led by several notable headmasters. J.K. Fiegbor was the first to serve, followed by Agyemang Dickson, Crawford, and Mr. C.G. MacDonald, who is celebrated for his significant contributions, including the construction of MacDonald Hall.
Under MacDonald’s leadership, the school's Mathematics program saw considerable improvement, attracting many talented students.
Other distinguished headmasters include Mr. Adenze Kangah and Mr. Aloysius Alexis Abem in the 1980s, and Madam Katumi, who strengthened discipline and performance in the 1990s. Mr. Patrick Tangonyire took over in the 2000s, continuing the school's legacy of excellence. Today, NAVASCO is led by Madam Mercy Babachuweh.
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