Samuel Ackon
Nyankumasi Ahenkro (C/R), Nov.18, GNA – Mr Paul Yaw Afoakwa, a 39-year-old teacher of Assin Manso Senior High School, has been adjudged the best teacher in the Assin South District of the Central Region.
For his award, he took home a Toyota Vitz sponsored by Rev John Ntim Fordjour, Deputy Minister of Education.
Mr Peter Manaba of Jakai Basic School ‘B’ came second and was awarded a 55-inch television set, followed by Mr Ntsiful Obed Kwabena of Edubiase Presbyterian Basic School who was given a motorbike.
The theme for the celebration was: “Inspiring Greatness: Celebrating the Assin South’s Finest Teachers.”
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines, Mr Afoakwa was grateful to the Deputy Minister of Education and the Education Directorate for the honour done him.
He said his secret had been commitment and hardwork and advised his colleagues to continue to work harder to help shape the future of the innocent children they teach.
He appealed to the government to always supply teaching and learning resources to aid teaching and learning.
Rev Ntim Fordjour said teachers were agents of transformation and applauded the Ghanaian teacher for being among the best in the world and the Assin South teacher as the best in Ghana.
He said he was looking forward to the day an Assin South teacher would win the overall best teacher award in Ghana.
He recounted how growing up in Assin Kruwa, a village in the district, without electricity and telecommunication, dedicated teachers accepted posting to the village to teach them.
He was grateful to those teachers who had helped shape them to be where they were now.
Rev Ntim Fordjour enumerated several programmes that had been rolled out in the district, including a reading project to sharpen the reading skills of pupils and the
release of World Bank funds for about 30 gallop schools in the area to help step up teaching and learning and many more.
Ms Felicia Ntrakwah Amissah, District Chief Executive (DCE), was excited about awarding teachers in the district, saying teachers played pivotal role in the lives of all individuals.
She congratulated the awardees and all teachers for their timely intervention in imparting knowledge and impacting the lives of pupils and students.
Mr Emmanuel Essuman, Central Regional Director of Education, noted that teaching was a profession grounded in service and admonished educators to commit themselves to the betterment of society, often going beyond the normal to ensure that every child had the opportunity to succeed.
In so doing, he said, teachers would not only impart knowledge but also fostered a sense of belongingness in the community.
He urged teachers to adopt new methodologies that would make learning an enjoyable and engaging experience for their students.
GNA