The 2019 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Techiman, the capital of the Bono East Region, took place on October 11th at the forecourt of the Techiman Municipal Assembly. This year’s celebration was held under the theme, “Young Teachers: The Future of the Profession.”
The annual event, aimed at recognizing outstanding educators, was introduced in 2018 by the Deputy Minister of Regional Re-organization and Development, Hon. Martin Agyei-Mensah Korsah. It is called the “MIKAM Awards,” named after the minister, and is designed to honor exceptional teachers every year.
Mr. Isaac Nsiah Edward, the Municipal Director of Education, shared that this year’s awards featured four new categories in addition to the traditional ones. The new awards included Best E-Learning Teacher, Best Private School Teacher, Best Non-Teaching Staff, and Best Worker from the Municipal Education Directorate. He emphasized that the recognition was not limited to just teachers, but also extended to non-teaching staff, acknowledging their vital contributions.
In his special address, Hon. Martin Agyei-Mensah Korsah clarified that the awards were based solely on merit and hard work, not political affiliation. He cautioned against viewing the awards as benefiting only NPP-affiliated teachers, urging the community to recognize that the awards were fairly distributed. He encouraged parents and the wider community to unite with the common goal of supporting the proper education and development of children for the future of the nation.
The top three outstanding teachers were ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Mr. Gordon Nyarko, a mathematics teacher at Techiman Senior High School (TESS), was named the overall Best Teacher of 2019. The second prize went to Acheampong Benjamin, a teacher at Asue Methodist Junior High School (JHS) in Techiman, while Mr. Benjamin Adu Fosu claimed the third position. Additionally, 11 other teachers were recognized for their dedication and hard work.
In an interview, Mr. Gordon Nyarko, the overall winner, expressed his deep appreciation to Hon. Martin Agyei-Mensah Korsah for his efforts in creating this annual recognition. He dedicated his award to all teachers and encouraged his colleagues to remain committed and hardworking, with the hope of being recognized in the future.
