ARTICLE: ANTHONY KWAKU AMOAH
“For me and the entire Asanteman, we will never forget you (referring to teachers) because your work is worth recognising”- Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The teacher is one key professional society cannot do without. Apart from dispensing knowledge, the teacher also guides, leads, coaches and motivates students to learn. Even in the face of limited resources and support, the teacher is expected to serve learners. Actually, teaching is a demanding profession.
Educational policies and programmes are formulated for the teacher to implement. No matter how lofty an educational policy may look, its implementation is what matters most. The teacher is the hinge on which any education system revolves.
However, the modern teacher is faced with many challenges, including low motivation, lack of teaching and learning resources, inconsistency in school curriculum and inadequate infrastructure. Nevertheless, the teacher is supposed to merge academic prowess with professionalism to educate learners.
Ghana’s strive to provide quality, affordable education to citizens regardless of sex, age, socio-economic and cultural orientation as well as geographical location would be fruitless unless concerted efforts are made to ameliorate the challenges facing the teacher.
The crux of this piece is to invite compatriots to join me applaud Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for his contributions to the development of education in the country. His contributions to community development are enormous. He has positively influenced many lives across the country through his initiatives. He is a real visionary, selfless, peaceful and development-oriented ruler.
I do not think I have the capacity now to outline all the noble achievements of the overlord of Asanteman. For now, the focus would be on what his NGO, Charity Foundation, has done for teachers in the country. The Foundation has created the Otumfuo Teachers Awards Scheme which works in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service to identify and award hard working and dedicated teachers in deprived communities across the country.
Last year, about 200 teachers and educational administrators across the country were recognised and awarded at the premises of Manhyia. Many prominent personalities were at that ceremony. Otumfuo advised society to support the teacher to churn out quality education to students.
A few days ago, the same ceremony was organised at same venue. About 100 teachers, 10 from each region, and also the 10 regional directors of education were honoured. To qualify for the award, one is expected to have served diligently in a typical rural area for a number of years.
Beneficiary teachers had 24-inch television sets, solar-powered lamps, Wellington boots, machetes, wall clocks, undisclosed amounts of money and certificates. Teachers from communities, such as; Twifu Kyebi and Nuanua No. 2 in the Central Region; Terhey and Tokpo in the Greater Accra Region; Temebaabi and Fahiakobo in the Ashanti Region; Kokosua and Asuoti in the Brong Ahafo Region; Wudese and Koru in the Volta Region; Dalun and Tong in the Northern Region; Kpalinye and Naame in the Upper West Region; Abrenya and Amenam in the Eastern Region; Abotarye and Swanzy in the Western Region and Nakoli and Zerogo in the Upper East Region were all awarded. What a beautiful showmanship of nationalism?
Aside from this, the Asanteman Council, through the initiative of its leader, has also set up the Otumfuo Educational Endowment Fund to support brilliant but needy students in school. Otumfuo, being a visionary leader, also lobbies development partners into the country. He has done well in developing schools in his area of control; typical example is the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
I think the Asantehene’s performance over the years is worth emulating. Our pace of development would gallop if other traditional rulers could follow the footsteps of the likes of Otumfuo. Chiefs and queenmothers must use their august titles to win local and foreign investors to the country, especially their areas of command. They need to eschew acts that are liable to breed misunderstandings and conflicts among their people. They should not try to interfere unduly in partisan politics. This however does not debar them from voting during elections.
Traditional rulers must pay courtesy calls to one another. For instance, the President of Ave Council of Chiefs in the Volta Region, Torgbui Nyamekor Glakpe IV, with his council members, could visit the Okyenhene, Amoatia Ofori Panyin for discussions on the development of their areas.
Now, society’s challenges are so daunting that it would be necessary for all stakeholders, including traditional rulers to go beyond just seeing themselves as custodians of lands to taking active part in developmental activities.
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