Afenyo-Markin honours 39 teachers at 4th Effutu Best Teachers’ Awards

Thirty-Nine teachers from public and private basic schools and senior high schools (SHS) in Winneba were honoured at the fourth edition of the Effutu Best Teachers Awards last Friday.

The awards saw teachers, who had distinguished themselves and contributed to quality education being awarded some prizes.

The items comprised refrigerators, television sets and desktop computers, as well as a cash of GH¢1,000 each.

The awards scheme was instituted and sponsored by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, to recognise the outstanding contributions of educators to improved teaching and learning in the constituency.

Noblest profession

Addressing the gathering at the event, Mr Afenyo-Markin described the teaching profession as the noblest profession in society.

He said he had become who he is today because of the impact of teachers on his life.

The MP said the future of children and, by extension, the future of communities and the nation depended on teachers.

“Teachers are the bedrock and the conscience of society as they do more to teach subjects or mark exams and they inspire, motivate and ignite the flames of curiosity and creativity in our children.

“They mentor, nurture and guide, often going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that every child has the tools to succeed in life,” he said.

‘We’re blessed’

In the Effutu Constituency, Mr Afenyo-Markin, who is also the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, said he and his constituents were blessed to have an extraordinary cadre of teachers who exemplified dedication, resilience and innovation.

Whether in the classroom or within the broader community, he said teachers’ impact in the area was “profound and far-reaching”.

“This Best Teacher Award is not just an event; it is a heartfelt acknowledgement of your hard work, sacrifice and commitment.

“It is also a message to you, our dear teachers, that your efforts do not go unnoticed. Your impact is felt every day in the lives of the students you teach and the families you support,” he said.

Mr Afenyo-Markin told the teachers that he and the entire constituents appreciated the challenges facing them in the areas of limited resources, large class sizes and sometimes, the lack of recognition for their relentless efforts. 

“Yet, you rise above these challenges with grace and determination. You teach not only lessons but values and you build character and hope,” he said.

Commitment 

The MP reiterated his commitment to prioritise education in Effutu by advocating resources, infrastructure and support to make teaching and learning more effective and rewarding for both teachers and students. 

The Majority Leader highlighted some social infrastructure he had implemented in the area, naming them as the construction of three new secondary schools, three new libraries, a multipurpose ICT facility, and the construction and renovation of a number of schools.

He also spoke about facilitating the construction of a tissue factory in Winneba, the first of such projects under the One-District-One-Factory programme in West Africa.

“This factory, when completed, is going to provide all the raw materials for tissue factories in Ghana and there will be no import of their jumbo, which comes in pieces for further processing,” he said.