By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY
Francis Archer, a business management tutor at Tarkwa Senior High School, has emerged Overall Best Teacher at the 2024 edition of ‘Duker Teachers and Health Workers Awards’ held at Tarkwa, Western Region.
He was presented with US$14,000 brand-new Suzuki saloon car, and in addition GH¢5,000 donated by Prof. Douglas Boateng, Chairman-Mineral Income Investment Fund (MIIF) Board.
In all, 21 teachers were awarded in categories such as Non-Teaching staff, KG Category, Primary Category, JHS Category, SHS/TVET Category, Headteachers Category and Overall Best Teacher among others. Under health, the categories were best hospital, support staff, Health Centre, CHPS among others.
The Duker Teacher and Health Workers Awards were initiated by the area’s Member of Parliament (MP), George Mireku Duker.
This year’s awards had the theme ‘Championing learning and wellness in our communities’.
George Mireku Duker explained at the ceremony that: “This is to motivate our hard-working teachers and health workers in this area for their commitment and dedication in discharging their duties effectively and efficiently”.
“These two unique professions are the pillars upholding our survival,” he said.
“For three consecutive years we have organised this event, running into millions of Ghana cedis, with the generosity of institutions and the will of God,” he said.
He specified that education is the most impactful tool for changing the world.
“It is not only about developing educational structures and potentials in Tarkwa-Nsuaem, but also taking into cognisance the welfare of human resources who nurture our children,” he said.
“I therefore reiterate my opinion that teachers are the pivot around which all discoveries and advancements of knowledge in all fields of endeavour revolve. Teachers’ influence can last for a lifetime, hence we need to be aware of this and support them in delivering the necessary training to students.”
Mr. Duker noted out that teachers are minimally motivated, irrespective of the strenuous tasks they go through.
“Some teachers and health workers practice in very remote areas that are not commutable by public transportation, yet they continue to give their best. These are some of the reasons why I set forth on this journey through your good selves to improve teaching, learning and healthcare in the municipality,” he added.
He expressed hope that “Tarkwa -Nsuaem will boast dependable health workers who have the passion for re-energising the weak and reassuring the sick there is hope of survival”.
Dean-School of Post Graduate Studies, University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa (UMaT), Prof. Grace Ofori -Sarpong Akuffo admired the Duker awards, saying: “This is a good step to encourage teachers and health staff who nurture the future wellbeing and assets of society”.
