Twenty-three teachers and non-teaching staff of the Effutu Municipal Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) were on Monday given special awards for their hard work and dedication to duty during the year.

The award scheme, initiated and sponsored by Mr. Alexander Ato Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, Member of Parliament of Effutu Constituency, is in its third year.

The ceremony was under the theme “Education: Key to National Development, the Teacher Our Focus”.

The overall best teacher of the year went to Mr. Eric Yamoah, a teacher at the UNINIPRA South School, who received a double deck Refrigerator and a Citation. He was also adjudged the best Junior High School teacher.

In the KG division, Madam Eva Eshun was adjudged the best teacher and was given a Refrigerator and a citation, while the second runner up, Madam Gloria M Adobea had an LG Flat TV Set, a Citation, with Madam Bremah, the 3rd runner up receiving a washing machine.

Madam Christina Esi Afenyo was adjudged the best Primary School Teacher and took home a refrigerator and a citation, whilst Madam A. Berkoe had a Television Set and citations for placing second, with the 3rd position going to Miss Josephine Azu, who had a washing machine and a Citation.

The Second Runners up for the Junior High School Category went to Madam Mawu E. Ntow, who received an LG TV Set and citation, while the 3rd position went to Mr. Hackman Arthur and had a washing Machine with a citation as his award.

Items ranging from sound systems, TV sets and other prices were distributed to selected none-teaching staff and best schools for the year under review, while special prices such as trophies, set of musical instruments, books, sports Jerseys and other items were also given to deserving schools in the Quiz competition.

In another development, the MP distributed laptop computers to the last batch of 602 teachers in the area, to complete the One Teacher One Laptop project he initiated some months ago.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin expressed gratitude to Mr. Victor Kwesi Mensah an opinion leader and also a retired teacher in Effutu for his encouragement and advice that motivated him to aspire for the Member of Parliament for the Area.

The MP later launched an educational endowment fund to support teachers in the area to further their education and donated an amount of GH¢10, 000.00 to the first 15 beneficiary teachers.

He expressed the hope that the move will go a long way to sustain the interest and confidence of teachers.