Gold Fields Ghana has awarded 28 teachers in its host communities Tarkwa and Damang.
The award instituted in 2016 recognizes and promotes excellence in teaching and learning and also rewards teachers in the host communities who continued to raise the standard of education in their communities.
The awardees took home prizes ranging from Laptops, fridges, Television Sets amongst others in categories such as Best Science Teacher, best English language Teacher, Best School and best Head Teacher, best recruit teacher among others.
Mr. Elliot Twum, Acting General Manager of Gold Fields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa Mine at the ceremony held in Tarkwa explained that over the past three years, 93 teachers and four schools in the company’s catchment areas Tarkwa and Damang Mines have benefited from their awards scheme to motivate them to give off their best. “This year the Foundation has invested over GHc100, 000 in the Teachers Awards programme which for the first time covers teachers from all the host communities of our Tarkwa and Damang mines” he said.
He mentioned that the Foundation has supported teachers in several ways between 2012 and 2015 as well as topped up monthly salaries of 64 teachers from Tarkwa.
“Also, since the establishment of the Amoakwa Model School in Damang in the year 2000, teachers of the school have been receiving monthly allowances of up to 50% of their monthly salaries; the admirable performance of pupils of the school is a testament to the fact that teacher motivation is key to quality education” he added.
He explained that under Gold Fields Foundation, which constituted the awards, education has enjoyed the largest share of host community benefits.
Averagely, about 40% of the Foundation’s budget was spent annually on the development of human capital of host communities with US$10.7 million invested in education in the host communities over the past 14years.
He congratulated the awards winners and urged them to continue the best practices in helping to shape the lives of the next generation.
Mrs Sally Nelly Coleman, Effia-Kwesimintsim Director of Education commended Gold Fields for instituting the awards for the teachers.
“Teachers are agents of change and their contribution to nurturing the development of children cannot be underestimated; they help in building the future of children and they should be appreciated by all,” she said.
She advised teachers to be abreast with policies and programmes to keep pace with changes in the technological era and further congratulated the award winners on their hard work and effort at impacting society positively.
Mr Gilbert Asmah, Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Chief Executive Officer pointed out that the company has been supporting the Municipality terms of development.
“As a company, your educational scholarship contributes immensely to the good results of our students as well as raising the standards of education in the Municipality,” he said.
Nana Dr. Adarkwa Bediako III, Gyaasehene of Tarkwa Apinto Traditional Area urged the Awards Committee to include Mathematics in the awards categories next year.
“Through our dedicated teachers, the performance in the results of our students is improving tremendously, the motivation continues to yield fruitful results; Gold Fields has been helping in developing our children in diverse ways in terms of infrastructure and education” he said.
He encouraged beneficiary schools to let the awards results in good grades; this is the ultimate prize we are looking for as a municipality.
Mr. Ebenezer Mensah Head Teacher of Aboso Glass Factory School was adjudged the Overall Best Head Teacher at the 2019 Gold Fields Ghana Foundation Teachers’ Awards.
He expressed gratitude to Gold Fields Ghana Limited for instituting the award scheme saying “this shows you appreciate the work that we are doing, we will continue to give off our best for the good and development of the Municipality and the country as a whole”.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Nana Adjoa Hagan
