The Roman Ridge School (TRRS) held a Special Awards Ceremony on Wednesday 18th February 2026, to announce their record-breaking results in The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2025 organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS). The QCEC was established in 1883 and is the world’s oldest and most prestigious schools’ essay competition. It seeks to recognise achievement, elevate youth voices and develop creative writing skills. Over 53,434 children from 54 Commonwealth nations participated in the 2025 competition themed ‘Our Commonwealth Journey.’
For QCEC 2025, TRRS submitted 610 entries and was awarded a record-breaking 364 medals:
206 Bronze, 110 Silver, 43 Gold and 5 Gold Medal Finalists – specially identified as Gold Medal winners who are further shortlisted for the Overall Global Prize by RCS: Michelle-Carmen Edinam Dordor (Class 6 East), Arthur Nana Kojo Anti Owusu (Form 3 West), Manha Mulani (Form 3 Atifi), Eliel Binitie (Form 3 Atifi), Wilma Inkumsah (Form 4 West)
The ceremony was graced by esteemed school leaders and dignitaries to celebrate the participants and medal winners, including:
Minister for Foreign Affairs Honourable Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa
Dr. John Obeng Apea – Head of Mission, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC)
Ms. Pamela Bassah – Head of Diaspora Affairs & Strategic Partnership, British High Commission in Ghana
Mr. Harry Sintim Abogye – Chairman, Duke of Edinburgh/Head of State Award Board of Trustees
Mr. Felix Kofi Amegah – Deputy Inspector-General of Schools, National Schools Inspection Authority (NaSIA)
Mr Frank B Adu Jr – Co-Founder, Chairman – TRRS Board of Directors
Mr Gordon Gopaldas – Co-Founder, Executive Director, TRRS Board of Directors
Mr. Kingsley Awuah-Darko- Co-Founder, Member, TRRS Board of Directors
Dr. Nortey Omaboe – Member, TRRS Board of Directors
Rev Dr Joyce R. Aryee – Chair, TRRS Academic Board of Governors
Nana Osim Kwatia II – Member, TRRS Academic Board of Governors
Mrs. Ramya Ediga – Member, TRRS Academic Board of Governors
Mr. William Inkumsah – Member, TRRS Academic Board of Governors
During her Welcome Address, Mrs. Valerie Mainoo (TRRS Principal) commended all pupils for another record-breaking performance, encouraging them to continue seizing every opportunity to share their ideas and express their creativity.
In her Message of Congratulations, Rev. Dr. Joyce R. Aryee (Chair of the TRRS Academic Board of Governors) reiterated the school’s commitment to nurturing and developing the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and changemakers, empowering them to thrive in our globally interconnected world. She recognised the great partnership between teachers and parents at TRRS stating that, ‘When parents and educators stand shoulder-to-shoulder, our children do not just grow—they thrive, they soar, and they break records.’
Dr. John Obeng Apea (Head of Mission, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council) confirmed that TRRS pupils’ outstanding performance cements their position as a top performing school globally. He threw a challenge to all pupils to exceed the current performance in future competitions.
Ms. Pamela Bassah (Head of Diaspora Affairs & Strategic Partnership, British High Commission in Ghana) and Mr. Harry Sintim Abogye (Chairman, Duke of Edinburgh/Head of State Award Board of Trustees) extended hearty congratulations to TRRS pupils for their enthusiasm, courage and interest to actively engage and excel in this competition year after year. They highlighted the importance of connecting with fellow young people across the Commonwealth to share ideas and dialogue.
Mr. Felix Kofi Amegah (Deputy Inspector-General of Schools, National Schools Inspection Authority (NaSIA) delivered a message of congratulations to pupils from the NaSIA Inspector-General of Schools, Prof. Salifu Tahiru Azeko, commending both pupils and staff on this outstanding achievement.
In his Address, TRRS Board Chairman Mr. Frank B. Adu Jnr, stated, ‘Moments like this give us the opportunity to pause and acknowledge the discipline, creativity, and focus that meaningful accomplishment requires. This year’s results are a source of great pride for our School. Our pupils have once again demonstrated their ability to think critically, write thoughtfully, and compete confidently on an international stage. In doing so, they have upheld the strong academic tradition for which The Roman Ridge School is known.’
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Samuel Okudzeto – Ablakwa, delivered a message and extended congratulations on behalf of the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, to pupils of The Roman Ridge School for representing Ghana exceptionally well across the entire Commonwealth of Nations. Hon. Okudzeto – Ablakwa issued a poignant reminder to all in attendance about the importance of investing extensively in our children, as they are Ghana’s most precious resource and key to our future development as a nation.
