The NPP’s Parliamentary Candidate for Sekyere Afram Plains Constituency, Mr. George Akom has praised teachers in the country for their various roles they had played and continue playing in national development. Mr. Akom who commended the teachers was speaking as the Special Guest of Honour during the Maiden Teachers Awards Ceremony organized by Samso D/A Basic School at Samso in the Sekyere Afram Plains District of Ashanti. The colourful event which witnessed the presence of many dignitaries,educational stakeholders, Chief and Elders of the community was the first of its kind organized in the Samso community. He used the occasion to address the importance of education in the development of every nation. As Educationist, he underscored how education has transformed his life as an individual and the nation at large. He emphasized that education was the only means to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. Touting the important role education had played in the development of Ghana, he stressed that all the improvements we had witnessed in both infrastructure and human capital were as a result of education. Mr. Akom opined that the foundation of a strong economy and job creation begin with providing every child with the best possible education including students with disability.He quoted Bill Owens to buttress his assertion that, “ A strong economy begins with a well educated workforce”. On the side of teachers, he intimated that teachers have become universal group in the national development. A part from classroom teaching to impart knowledge, teachers also play some critical roles in government exercises and become change agents in our communities. “Teachers should not consider themselves as marginalized group when it comes to poverty circles, but should use the knowledge acquired to make an ends meet. It was in the olden days that teachers were tagged to have their reward in heaven. Now teachers can enjoy both the heaven reward and their life reward whiles alive”, Mr. Akom chided.
He continued that in all things, teachers should consider the very reason why they choose the profession and deliver their best to make their learners better people for the nation. He added that teachers life affect eternity, and no one knows where it stops, and for that matter, their actions either positive or negative could affect the very society we are preparing for our future generations.
He admonished that parents should take the full responsibility in the proper upbringing of their children to complement the efforts being made by schools and the government in educating their wards. He advised parents to invest in their children since they were the only major assets they could depend on in this knowledge economy.
Mr. Akom gave his full support to BECE Candidates in the school who were preparing for their examination, that he was ever ready to assist any of them after their basic school education. He commended the headteacher and staff for organizing the event as a means of motivation to teachers, parents and pupils. He presented a citation to the overall Best Teacher and certificates of honour to deserving teachers, parents and pupils.
Mr. George Akom assured the community of his readiness to support them in any means he could to improve the living conditions of every citizen in the Sekyere Afram Plains District with any little opportunity that may come his way. The community, headteacher and staff commended Mr. Akom for various roles he had played in the district, especially his commitment in the areas of education,sports, good health and youth development.
