Lifelong friends united by teaching Bakanta’s children

For 38 years, Madam Grace Ackah has crossed the River Amalzuley almost every day just so children in Bakanta in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region can access education.

Through heavy rains, overflowing waters and years of teacher shortages, she stayed committed to the community where she was born and raised, dedicating her life to ensuring that children moved beyond fishing into the classroom.

That sacrifice was recognised when Madam Ackah was honoured at The Mirror Mother’s Day Lunch at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra on Sunday, May 10, 2026, for her dedication to education and service to children in her community.

Sitting beside her at the GNAT Hall in Accra during an interview with The Mirror was not just a colleague, but her childhood friend and classmate, Madam Elizabeth Miah, now the headmistress of Bakanta R/C Basic School.

The two women, who grew up together in Bakanta and attended school together as little girls, have spent decades working side by side to keep education alive in their community.

“I am from Bakanta in the Ellembelle District. That’s where I grew up and was born. That’s where I had my education,” Madam Ackah said with pride.

“The only time I was out of Bakanta as a child was when I went on vacation at my auntie’s place in Sefwi Awoso,” she added with a smile.

She got her Middle School Leaving Certificate in 1984 and later worked briefly as a nurse assistant at St Martin’s Hospital in the district. However, her dream had always been to teach young children in her community.

According to her, when former President Jerry John Rawlings introduced an initiative in 1987 for communities to establish kindergarten schools, she immediately applied to teach at Bakanta R/C Basic School.

“It was my vision while young to teach kindergarten, especially in my community, to help the children move from solely fishing to education,” she said.

At the time, the school lacked teachers, a situation that further strengthened her resolve to return home and teach.

Friendship and service

Madam Ackah and Madam Miah were both posted to the school, beginning a lifelong journey of friendship and service.

“She is my classmate,” Madam Ackah said, pointing at Madam Miah seated beside her.

Over the years, many teachers posted to Bakanta left after short periods because of the difficult conditions.

“The GES made attempts to transfer me twice, but I always refused because I believed that when I left, the school would be short of teachers and it would affect the children’s education,” she explained.

After building a house in New Bakanta, Madam Ackah moved there but continued teaching at Old Bakanta, commuting daily by crossing the River Amalzuley.

“Many people have asked me to seek transfer to a school in New Bakanta, but I always resisted. I tell them Bakanta school has no teachers, so I can’t leave them,” she said.

The journey, she explained, became even more difficult during the rainy season when the river overflowed.

“It is a very scary scene crossing the river just to access education,” she recalled.

For years, children completing primary school also had to cross the River Amalzuley to attend junior high school at New Bakanta until a JHS was later established at Bakanta.

“So now I am the only one crossing the river to school,” she said.

Despite financial challenges, Madam Ackah remained determined to improve herself professionally. 

She explained that in earlier years, many teachers entered the profession through modular training programmes because they did not have opportunities for secondary education or a teacher training college.

In 2007, she enrolled in an upgrading programme but dropped out after two semesters because of financial difficulties and the responsibility of raising her five children.

Later, she enrolled in a sandwich programme at the University of Cape Coast, where she obtained a certificate after a two-year course and later pursued a diploma in Early Childhood Education in 2017.

“I am no longer a pupil teacher. I am now a certified teacher, and I will retire in two years,” she said.

Her greatest joy, however, comes from seeing the children she taught become responsible adults.

“Some of the children I taught are now revenue officers, prison officers, immigration officers and drivers,” she said.

Sometimes, drivers refuse to take transport fare from her after recognising her as their kindergarten teacher.

“They remind me that I taught them in kindergarten, and it always makes me smile and feel very happy,” she said.

Madam Ackah also recalled how difficult it was in earlier years to convince families to send their children to school because the community prioritised fishing.

“There were times I moved from house to house collecting children for school. Sometimes, I even bathed some of them before bringing them to class,” she recounted.

According to her, the situation had improved significantly as more parents and children had learned to value education.

Speaking about her longtime friend, Madam Miah described Madam Ackah as patient, loving and deeply committed to children’s welfare.

“She has really done a good job and has lots of patience for the children,” Madam Miah said.

She explained that both of them made a conscious decision years ago to dedicate their lives to ensuring the survival of the school and education in the community.

“We decided to support the community by ensuring that the school stays and does not collapse,” she said.

Madam Miah said that Madam Ackah regularly visited homes of absent or sick pupils to check on them and encourage them to return to school.

“She catered for children who had no food because our school is not a beneficiary of the school feeding programme,” she said.

“She even keeps a sewing kit in her bag and stitches torn school uniforms for pupils.”

For Madam Ackah, being honoured at The Mirror Mother’s Day Lunch was deeply emotional.

“The saying is always that a teacher’s reward is in heaven. But this honour means I have received my reward here on earth too,” she said.

As retirement approaches after nearly four decades of service, Madam Ackah’s advice to kindergarten teachers is simple: “Teach with love and patience”.