- as Greta ‘D’ Shepherd 2 Basic’s Faith Aku Dzakpasu wins 3-bedroom house
President Nana Akufo-Addo has urged teachers to continue upholding standards in education while government works to improve their conditions of service.
Speaking at the Ghana Teachers Awards’ 5th edition held in Takoradi, Western Region, President Akufo-Addo commended teachers for their contribution to achieving the education transformational agenda despite existing challenges.
“We can never overlook the significant role of teachers in the nation’s development agenda, your role in shaping the minds and hands of the future generation,” he said.
To enable them strengthen standards and contribute more meaningfully to development, Mr. Akufo-Addo said his government has undertaken investments in the education sector – including retooling institutions; upgrading teacher standards and professionalism; and the Free Senior High School initiative.
“Our hope is an education system that leaves no child behind,” he said, adding that government is also working on improving the conditions of service for teachers: “We are committed to resourcing teachers, improving conditions and creating the necessary enabling environment for teachers to thrive.”
Education minister
Dr. Yaw Osei Adutum, Minister of Education, on his part said quality education – and for that matter, better teachers – is key in transforming the economy’s fortunes.
“We are in a rapidly changing world, and we have to change the way we do our things. There should be creativity, critical-thinking and effective communication in teaching and learning,” he advocated.
On teacher welfare, he noted that investments made in teachers will provide a good outcome: “If there is a need to pay transfer grants for teachers to be posted in some remote areas, we will do so”.
He assured teachers at the event that the education sector is on the right track: “With the addition of STEM, our children are offering computer science and engineering among others at the tertiary level”.
Rev. Isaac Owusu, President-Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), advised that it is important to prioritise the payment of 20 percent above gross salary for teachers who accept postings to underserved areas, so as to ensure quality education throughout the country.
Similarly, Angel Cabonu – President-National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), pointed out that quality teaching can be attained when managers of education see the welfare of teacher as a priority.
“To attain quality education, government and managers of education should stop the lip-service and be prepared to invest hugely in the education sector,” he added
Dr. Eric Nkansah, Director-General, Ghana Education Service, expressed appreciation and gratitude to all teachers across the country for their resilience and devotion to duty.
Prize winners
The Ghana Teachers Awards’ 5th edition was themed ‘The teachers we need for the education we want: the global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage’.
The 5th of October each year has been set aside globally to commemorate the 1996 UNESCO and International Labour Organisation (ILO) recommendations on the status of teachers. These recommendations recognise teaching as profession because it requires special skills and expert knowledge acquired through rigorous and continuous study.
The Most Outstanding Teacher prize went to Faith Aku Dzakpasu of Greta ‘D’ Shepherd 2 Basic School in the Ga Central district of the Greater Accra Region. She was presented with a three-bedroom house worth GHȻ450,000.
The 1st runner-up prize went to Isabella Wussa-Tetteh of Sege D/A Primary School in Accra who took home a 4×4 Nissan pickup, with 2nd runner-up Fredous Iddi-Amin from Ogbojo Presbyterian Basic School in the Greater Accra Region winning a saloon car.
