President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Philipa Larsen, has expressed worry over the consistent absence of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at their official events.
According to the GNAT president, President Akufo-Addo has avoided participating in the national Teachers’ Day celebration for the past five years and expressed unhappiness about this move and his refusal to delegate high-ranking members of his government to represent him.
At the teachers’ day celebration held in Sunyani, she urged the President to show them love and try to make time for teachers in his busy schedule.
Philipa Larsen who is concerned about the welfare of teachers called on the government to implement decisions made on the welfare of teachers to avoid any industrial action
Ebenezer Kojo Otu of Winneba SHS in the Efutu Municipal of the Central Region was named the overall best teacher for this year’s teacher’s day in Sunyani. He was awarded a 3-bedroom and assorted items worth 250,000 cedis.
The award winner gave thanks to his families and colleagues for supporting him all these years, while encouraged his colleagues to work hard.
He appealed to the government to recruit more teachers since the pupils-teacher ratio is very bad which puts more pressure on teachers who mostly handle more pupils at a time.
Rev. Sister Jusinta Kwakyewaa of ST. Francis SHS Technical at Birim Central District in the Eastern Region was the first runner-up and received a 4X4 pick-up.
The second runner-up is Nelson Saviour Kwashie of Awutu Swinton SHS in the Awutu Senya District was awarded Toyota Corolla.
In all about eleven teachers, both teaching and non-teaching staff were awarded several prizes.
The Minister for Tourism, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Awal, who represented the vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia said the government is committed to enhancing quality education. He revealed that 93,000 teachers have been recruited since 2017 and the government is recruiting 40,000 teachers and non-teaching staff this year to help reduce the pupil-teacher ratio.
By: Adombire Augustine
