As part of its contribution towards the development of education in the country, the National Investment Bank (NIB) during this year’s National Teachers Awards Day, presented a Nissan Micra saloon car to the first runner-up at the ceremony held in Cape Coast over the weekend.

The bank also presented a set of computers and accessories and a printer to the school of the award winner, as well as a laptop to the first runner up.

Matthew Adu-Twum of Hooper Special Unit in the Western Region emerged the first runner-up and was presented with the prize which was sponsored by NIB.

This year’s event, 20th edition since it was instituted, focusing on honouring the contribution of teachers to the national development process was on the theme “Unite for quality education”.

The awards ceremony was interspersed with cultural performances from the Oguaa Secondary Technical School and other cultural troops from the Central Region. 

Dignitaries that graced the occasion include Vice President Kwesi Amissah Arthur, the Minister of Education, Professor Naana Jane OpokuAgyemang, the Oguaamanhene Osaberima Kwesi Atta II among others.

In a brief chat, Mr Adu-Twum, who was very elated, expressed his appreciation to the bank and the organisers for recognising his efforts as he works towards bringing hope to the marginalised in society.

The award, he noted would spur him on to give out his best towards improving education in the country.

At the ceremony, the Vice President, Kwesi Amissah, Arthur who was the guest of honour, expressed the government’s commitment towards improving the level of education in the country.

He advocated the need for a halt in teacher absenteeism in the nation’s educational institutions and called on authorities in charged to work towards eliminating the canker. 

He indicated that it was unacceptable for teachers to absent themselves from school for no apparent reason.

The National Best Teacher was won by a 36-year old teacher of Kanton Senior High School in the Upper West Region, Mumuni Yahaya. Mr. Yahaya will receive a three bed room apartment valued at GH¢65,000 to be cited at a place of his choice, a lap top computer and a set of computers for his school.

The second runner-up position went to Samuel Aboagye Nsaidoo of Kyerekrom M. A Junior High School in the Ashanti Region and he received a KIA Picanto salon car, a laptop and a set of computers with accessories and a printer for his school.