The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Atiwa East constituency, Abena Osei-Asare has rewarded 41 basic school teachers and retirees in recognition of their dedication and hard work.

The programme which targeted both public and private school teachers under the MP's maiden teachers' awards she instituted saw awardees receiving cash prices and various awards.

The overall best teacher award went to Fauzia Nuhu of the Moseaso Presby Basic School.

For her award, she took home a cash prize of GH₵10,000, a refrigerator and a 50-inch Television set.

The rest of the awardees received a cash donation of GH₵5,000 each and either a Motorbike, Television set or Fridge.

The categories were: outstanding best teacher, best JHS teacher, best primary teacher, best KG teacher, teacher with impact and teacher at deprived area.

Speaking at the ceremony to celebrate teachers from the six circuits in the area, Abena Osei-Asare highlighted the invaluable contribution of teachers to the community.

She reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to the holistic development of education and the welfare of teachers, encouraging them to embrace lifelong learning to adapt to the 21st century, foster values in our students to shape responsible citizens, pursue continuous professional development and act as mentors to inspire and guide their students.

"It is your dedication and professionalism that will ensure Ghana goes places in the 21st century. Government is very committed to education and the government is committed to our teachers. As we celebrate together in Atiwa East, we also reaffirm my commitment and the government's commitment to supporting this noble profession," she said.

According to her, the government's commissioning of 80 new projects in the education sector is a testimony to the government's commitment to education and teacher welfare improvement.

"Through programmes like the Free Senior High School initiative, we have expanded access to quality education for millions of Ghanaian children. New classrooms, new Labs, new facilities have been constructed across to create that conducive environment for teaching and learning," she stated.

On her part, the Eastern Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service, Dr Ivy Owusu Asante urged teachers to be versatile by going beyond the confines of the school and taking care of the moral uprightness of the children.

She stated that the government has committed enough to sustaining the education of children hence the need for teachers to give their best in nurturing the students to achieve life goals.

"The government is doing so well, the chunk of money and the budget that goes into education, all the logistics that we need is there, so the 21st-century teacher should be able to produce the 21st-century students who can go outside the world and also help the nation," she emphasised.

The Deputy General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers, Moses Amadu advised teachers to develop students to be innovative, global citizens, critical thinkers and digitally literate.

"If you look at the new curriculum that has been introduced, it is geared towards developing learners in our country and if we want our children to have these skills and competencies, which we all call the 21st century competencies then you also need a teacher who is also a critical thinker, innovative, creative, global citizen," he noted.

Nuhu Fawzia, the overall best teacher in the Atiwa East District on behalf of her colleagues appreciated the gesture done to teachers by the Member of Parliament.

She pledged that teachers in the district will continue to give their best to raise future leaders for the country.

The General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Frempong Kodua, traditional leaders and some education stakeholders graced the occasion.