Nsawam, Jan. 2, GNA- Eighteen teachers and five non-teaching staff in the Akuapem South District of the Eastern Region have received various awards for their hard work for the years 2005 and 2006 The awards ceremony was jointly organised by the Akuapem Assembly and the Ghana Education Service (GES). Mr Joseph Enyamful, an Accountant of the GES in Nsawam carried away a four-burner gas oven with accessories for being the best non-teaching personnel for the year 2006.

A citation accompanying the award referred to Mr Emyanful's commitment to work, punctuality and the regular submission of financial returns during his 33 years in GES. Ms Vivian Dimbie of Aburi Presbyterian got a 21-inch colour television for placing second, while Mr Ernest Djanku of Adoagyiri Roman Catholic Primary School got a tabletop fridge. The rest of the award winners also had some prizes. Mr Magnus Opare-Asamoah, Deputy Minister of Transport said he has instituted a scholarship scheme to cater for brilliant but needy students in the constituency.

This is to help them develop their potentials in order to contribute their quota towards national development, he said. Mr Opare-Asamoah therefore appealed to parents to take keen interest in their children's education, which is the best legacy to bequeath to their wards.

He commended teachers for their invaluable contribution to social development, saying that, society owes teachers a great deal of respect and recognition.

Mr Opare-Asamoah said teachers deserve a lion share of the national cake" to commensurate what they had offered to society. Miss Veronica Fry-Annan, Director of Education in Akuapem South, said teachers have a great task to play towards the country's economic development by ensuring that pupils and students are well educated. She said government should assist with school infrastructure and better conditions of service.

Mr Andrew Nyarko Adu, Akuapem District Chief Executive said the assembly supported by government had provided infrastructure for many school in the area.