Mireku-Duker changes face of education in Tarkwa-Nsuaem

The Member of Parliament for Tarkwa-Nsuaem in the Western Region, George Mireku-Duker, is gradually changing the face of education in the constituency through numerous interventions.

On Monday March 7, Mr Duker organised an award ceremony for teachers. The event was the first of its kind to recognise and motivate hard working teachers in his constituency to do more.

Eleven of them, from the Primary, Junior High School, Senior High School levels and head teachers’ categories were honoured.

The award winners took home items such as 50-inch flat screen TVs, double door fridges, deep freezers, plaques and citations.

Shadrach Oteng, a forty-five-year-old teacher from the remote Ningo MA Basic School, emerged the overall best teacher. He received a brand new vehicle, worth $18,000, purchased from the MP’s own coffers.

The support to the community and constituency comes against the backdrop of residents in the Ningo Electoral Area usually voting against Mr Duker and NPP in parliamentary elections.

In response, the MP said the award was non-political and that he had no hand in the selection process, which was done by a committee, adding “I even had no prior knowledge of who the winners would be”.

As a professional teacher, Mr Duker indicated that the award was his way of giving back to society, assuring that it would be sustained. He pointed out that teachers go through numerous challenges in moulding expectations of their students, and need to be motivated.

Plan

Mr Duker also revealed that plans to set up a special fund in the constituency were far advanced, adding that the initiative would help address pressing needs of teachers in the constituency. He said a board of trustees would be put in place to work on modalities for accessing this fund, which will soon be launched.

To this end, he called on other stakeholders to support him lift education in Tarkwa-Nsuaem to a higher level.

In an interview with the Daily Statesman, some of the teachers described Mr Duker as an asset to Tarkwa-Nsuaem and the constituency, saying constituents cannot afford to lose him.

They, therefore, expressed their readiness to rally behind him and the ruling NPP to continue bringing smiles on their faces.