Teachers in deprived rural areas of Ghana say they feel motivated to continue serving in under-privileged communities after being honoured by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The Otumfuo’s Teachers and Educational Workers Awards scheme was instituted to provide incentive packages to teachers who work in rural communities and have excelled in their responsibilities.
200 awardees from 48 districts in the Ashanti, Eastern, Brong Ahafo and Volta regions were honoured at an ‘Awukudae’ durbar at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
Some of the award winners who spoke to Luv News said they face challenges such as access to potable water, electricity, transportation and the apathy of some parents to send their children to school.
“If you look at the community and the kind of things around the place and you sacrifice to teach and you are honoured, you feel great”, said Ernest Asamoah, an awardee from the Adansi North District, revealing that “the nearest town which you can access vehicle to the centre of the district is about nine miles [away]… and you have to walk this nine miles before you get [a] car to even attend a meeting.”
According to the Asantehene, Ghana owes a great deal of honour to teachers and other professionals who sacrifice the pleasure of living in urban communities to serve in deprived rural communities.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu observed that economic ventures in rural areas are key to national development, but regretted most rural communities are deprived with little or no access to amenities and infrastructure to promote a sustainable livelihood.
He opined that if there is any group in Ghana worthy of recognition and reward, it should be teachers in deprived communities.
“In reviewing and analyzing the contributory factors that led to the decline in educational standards, one key factor was the lack of teachers, especially in the rural areas, and the poor conditions of service and motivation for teachers and educational workers”, Otumfuo noted in a statement.
He says the Promoting Partnerships with Traditional Authorities Project (PPTAP), the Otumfuo Education Fund and the new Charity Foundation have been avenues to promote education from a holistic approach.
“Today, it is my pride and joy to appreciate and reward teachers and educational workers, especially those in deprived rural communities for giving off their best under very challenging conditions and also use this medium to entice others to take up teaching appointments in similar areas”, the King stated.
Awardees received a special package to aid their stay and work in the communities and would be sharing 50 thousand Ghana cedi cash reward from the Otumfuo.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Biology teacher in police grips after taking nude pictures of students
A biology teacher in Mampong Akuapim School for the deaf is in police custody for taking nude pictures of three of his students.
Seth Affum Danquah had lured the students into a building outside school premises, stripped them naked before taking the pictures.
Two residents who saw the teacher carry out his unbridled pornography effected a citizen’s arrest and handed him over to the Mampong police.
Police Commander for Akuapim Mampong, ASP Agyenim Boateng confirmed the incident in an interview with Joy News’ Dzifah Bampoh.
According to him, the camera used in the teacher’s escapade was retrieved with graphic pictures of the nude students.
“After we screened the camera we really realised that he took some obscene pictures of the three ladies showing part of their nakedness, upwards, specifically, their breasts and other obscene pictures,” he said.
He added the suspect admitted taking the nude photographs of the students but did not explain why and to what effect.
Affum Danquah has been charged with "unlawful entry" and in "possession of obscene pictures" and will be arraigned before the Mampong Magistrate Court on Friday.
Assistant Headmaster of the school, Emmanuel Apernu told Joy News the victims are all students “writing their final paper.”
He said the students only obeyed instructions from the teacher. He could not tell what the real intentions of the teacher were.
Meanwhile the Ghana Education Service is contemplating dismissing the teacher if found guilty of the allegations.
Rosemond Blay, Head of Special Education at the service said the act by the teacher is criminal and is waiting for the police to take action.
He said the service will have no choice than to dismiss the teacher if he is found culpable.
Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana
Seth Affum Danquah had lured the students into a building outside school premises, stripped them naked before taking the pictures.
Two residents who saw the teacher carry out his unbridled pornography effected a citizen’s arrest and handed him over to the Mampong police.
Police Commander for Akuapim Mampong, ASP Agyenim Boateng confirmed the incident in an interview with Joy News’ Dzifah Bampoh.
According to him, the camera used in the teacher’s escapade was retrieved with graphic pictures of the nude students.
“After we screened the camera we really realised that he took some obscene pictures of the three ladies showing part of their nakedness, upwards, specifically, their breasts and other obscene pictures,” he said.
He added the suspect admitted taking the nude photographs of the students but did not explain why and to what effect.
Affum Danquah has been charged with "unlawful entry" and in "possession of obscene pictures" and will be arraigned before the Mampong Magistrate Court on Friday.
Assistant Headmaster of the school, Emmanuel Apernu told Joy News the victims are all students “writing their final paper.”
He said the students only obeyed instructions from the teacher. He could not tell what the real intentions of the teacher were.
Meanwhile the Ghana Education Service is contemplating dismissing the teacher if found guilty of the allegations.
Rosemond Blay, Head of Special Education at the service said the act by the teacher is criminal and is waiting for the police to take action.
He said the service will have no choice than to dismiss the teacher if he is found culpable.
Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana
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