Vice President lauds the nation-building contribution of teachers

Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has lauded the nation-building contribution of teachers at the 2019 edition of the Ghana Teacher Prize ceremony.

According to him, teachers are the pillar of many of our communities, doubling up in times past as the chief letter writer, the letter reader, the interpreter, the catechist and the counselor whose words carry their weight in gold.

Speaking at the 2019 Most Outstanding Teachers ceremony held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia noted the numerous contribution of teachers.

“It is often said that ‘if you can read, thank a teacher.’ That is indeed true. But let me add this: ‘if you can think, thank a teacher’. I say this because our teachers do not just teach us to read and to do multiplication tables. They challenge and inspire us, help us to explore and maximize our abilities and talents, and bring out the potential in us, ”

He added “I salute our gallant teachers, who in many instances work under challenging conditions. This nation is grateful, and we will not forget you. We must, and will, continue to strive to make your lives better and more dignified.”

He then challenged teachers to work harder and compete on a global scale, recalling that for the first time, Ghana had a representative as part of the top fifty finalists of the Global Teacher Prize coming from the Basic School in the person of Mr. Robert Gariba.

This he said is a clear demonstration of the governments decision to realign the Best Teacher Awards with the Global Teacher Prize.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia reiterated Government’s desire to resource and improve all aspects of the lives of teachers, especially in light of Ghana’s growing population and increased numbers seeking literacy.

The Awardees

Sabina Dosu of St Dominic’s R/C JHS, Akwatia in the Denkyembuor District of the Eastern Region won the ultimate prize as Most Outstanding Teacher, and for her meritorious services to the nation, received a cheque of Ghs180,000 for the construction of a 3 bedroom house and other assorted items.

Philippa Darko of State Experimental School, Kumasi was adjudged 1st Runner UP and drove away a brand new 4×4 pickup vehicle, and not to be outdone, Christiana Koperebarah Yeyeh of the Yumba Special School for the Intellectually Disabled, Tamale, drove away a brand new saloon car as 2nd Runner Up.