The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa Nsuaem constituency Hon. George Mireku Duker in conformity with his annual awards for teachers and health workers within Tarkwa over the weekend presented a brand-new car and $14,000 to the overall Best Teacher.
Thirty-nine other teachers and nurses also received massive prizes including Motorbikes, Refrigerators, Chest Freezers, TV sets, and Cash accordingly per each level whilst the overall Best Teacher, Mr Francis Archer of Tarkwa Senior High School, went home with a brand-new and cash donation of US$14,000. All award winners were also presented with citations and plaques as well.
The Teachers Award which has been running for the last three years was expanded this year to cover health workers in various categories.
The Tarkwa Nsuaem MP who is also the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources instituted this award scheme to honor, celebrate, and motivate hardworking Teachers, Nurses, Doctors, and supporting staff under the theme “Championing Learning and Wellness in our Communities.”
In his address he stated that the Awards ceremony which runs into several millions of cedis have been mainly supported by by benevolent individuals, institutions, and the kind will of God.
He said, “during last year’s ceremony, I promised we would progressively start honouring extraordinary health professionals who work hard and tirelessly to provide effective healthcare services and save lives. True to my pledge, the tag name “Duker’s Teachers Awards,” as it was for the last two years, has metamorphosed into “Duker’s Teacher and Health Workers Awards.”
“I am of the firm believe that teachers and health workers are critical professionals in our communities. Our existence on Earth depends greatly on these two professions, which require the necessary attention and support”, he added.
He said, some teachers and health workers practice in remote areas that are not commutable by transportation, yet they continue to give their best.
“These are some reasons I set forth this journey through my good self to improve learning, teaching, and healthcare in the Municipality”.
Hon. Duker explained that in this year’s awards, he has awarded twenty-one (21) teachers from categories such as Non-Teaching Staff, KG Category, Primary Category, JHS Category, SHS/TVET Category, and Headteachers Category, with each of those categories awarding 1st, 2nd, and 3rd winners. Others included the Best Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Teacher, Best Teacher for Environmental Advocacy, and Overall Best Teacher.
Regarding the Health Awards, Sixteen (16) awards were won from Five (5) categories, namely the Hospital Category, Support Staff Category, Health Center/CHPS Category, Municipal Directorate Category, Nursing and Midwifery Training College and the Best Health Worker.
Two Lifetime Awards were presented to a retired Educationist and a Health Practitioner, and one other special award.
The award scheme is really motivating Teachers in the Municipality, as per reports and data available. The BECE pass rate in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality has increased from 76% in 2021 to 82.5% in 2022 and 84% in 2023. That is indeed refreshing. Also, WASSCE Pass Rates improved from 69.35% in 2021 to 78.25% in 2022 and to 96.5% in 2023.
He stated thus “it is my hope that, Teachers and Health Workers will continue giving their best in their line of duty, as we keep delivering the necessary infrastructure and support to ease their work”.
Tarkwa-Nsuaem must be associated with excellent delivery in its various Education and Health institutions, he stressed
Hon. Duker offered special thanks to the Western Regional Minister, Hon. Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, Prof. Grace Ofori-Sarpong, Hon. Kojo Frempong, Lawyer Edward Osei, Tarkwa MCE, Officials from the Ministries of Education, Health, Municipal Education & Health Directors, Heads of all Education Institutions in the Municipal, students, security apparatus, Nananom and all others who graced the occasion.
He also expressed his profound gratitude to the independent award selection committees and all the institutions and individuals who in one way or the other supported the event.
