EASTERN REGION TEACHERS HONOURED (PAGE 11, MARCH 19, 2010)

NINETY-three teaching and non-teaching staff in Eastern Region who distinguished themselves in various areas have been honoured at a ceremony at Koforidua.
The selection was based on their performances during 2007 through 2009.
There was no overall best teacher but 35 teachers out of the number were awarded prizes in various subjects at the junior and senior high schools, technical/vocational institutes and the colleges of education.
Each of them received a double-decker refrigerator while those who took the second and third positions went home with 21-inch colour television sets as prizes.
Also honoured for their contributions towards the improvement of education in the rural areas were the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Kwahu North (Afram Plains), Mr Charles Evans Apraku, the Member of Parliament for Afram Plains South, Mr Raphael Kofi Ahaliga and the Municipal Chief Executive for Kwahu West, Mr Obeng Somuah.
The event on the theme “Build the Future; Invest in Teachers Now” brought together hundreds of teachers and non-teaching staff from the various schools and colleges of education, district directors of education, headmasters and principals as well as some municipal/district chief executives.
Also present were the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, his deputy, Baba Jamal, the MP for New Juaben South, Madam Bernice Beatrice Boateng, the Regional Director of Education, Mrs Rene Boakye Boateng and Nana Akwasi Adarkwa 11, Chief of Abesim and chairman for the occasion who also represented the Omanhene of New Juaben, Daasebre (Prof.) Oti Boaten.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Ofosu Ampofo reiterated the government’s commitment to improve the lot of teachers to make the teaching profession attractive to retain good and adequate number of teachers in the classrooms.
He said the government’s programme of improving infrastructure and logistics in schools coupled with the capitation grant, school feeding programme and the free uniforms for pupils in deprived areas, would go a long way to improve education especially in the rural areas.
That, he said, would make it possible for the educational and training institutions to produce highly skilled personnel to man all sectors of Ghana’s economy.
The Regional Minister praised teachers, especially the award winners, for their significant contributions to the improvement of education and also castigated those who vacated their posts but continued to take their salaries, as well as others who refused to go back to the classroom after enjoying study leave with pay.
He also rebuked teachers who went to school either drunk or late or abused schoolchildren and warned them to turn over a new leaf or be prepared for the necessary sanctions.
The Regional Director of Education, Mrs Renne Boakye Boateng, who also addressed the gathering, expressed her appreciation to the Regional Minister and the municipal and district chief executives for their support in improving education in the region.
The Abesimhene, Nana Akwasi Adarkwa, told the teachers to continue to offer their best, adding that it was only in that direction that they would produce academically good and disciplined students.