THE Ministry of Education has presented a cheque for ?150 million to the 2001 Best Teacher, Mr Joseph Yaw Nyarko of the Ochiso Methodist JSS in the Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam District of the Central Region. Presenting the cheque, the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr Christian Adu Atiemo, congratulated him for his hard work and dedication to duty.

He said the ministry attaches great importance to the award, and said the award scheme serves as a source of inspiration to dedicated teachers in the country. He apologised to the Best Teacher for the delay in presenting the cheque to him and assured teachers that every effort would be put in place to forestall this embarrassing situation in future.

Mr Nyarko expressed his appreciation to the ministry for delivering on its promise and said the award will spur him on to achieve greater laurels. He urged his colleagues to offer their best to ensure that they benefit from the award scheme in the ensuing years.

Mr Nyarko said he has acquired a plot at his hometown, Agona Swedru, in the Central Region and expressed the hope to complete a building by the end of the year. On his future plans, Mr Nyarko said he would use part of the money to further his education at the University of Cape Coast.

Present at the ceremony were Ms Lydia Osei, the Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and Mrs Elizabeth Quarmyne, the Assistant Director, Basic Education as well as the Chief of Ajumako Ochiso and Twafohene of the Ajumako Traditional Area, Nana Frimpong Manso VIII.