It is a fact that the quality of human capital of any nation depends on two strands which are interrelated; the quality of education it offers and the quality of the facilitators of the learning experience which is teachers and non-teaching staff.

It is, therefore, necessary that the standard, applause and motivation of teachers be kept high and abreast of expansion in the frontiers of knowledge, none the least advancement in technology.

This explains why the high priority of government on education reflects in many ways including the continuous investment of more than 30% of the annual budget in the sector alone. In pursuance of the objective of acknowledging and rewarding the country's hardworking teachers, the Ministry of Education instituted the National Best Teacher Award scheme. Teachers have constituted the foundation and brought the Ghana Education this far despite the teething challenges, and ought therefore to be celebrated by every well-meaning Ghanaian.

Significantly, as we celebrate our Ghanaian teachers in Koforidua today which coincides with World Teacher's Day, it is worth noting that as the years roll by; the recognition of teachers has been nourished. The fact reflects in this year awards scheme. One outstanding innovation is the inclusion of the national best school award to draw fun to the special day. Under the award packages, the overall best teacher takes home a cheque valued at GHC120 000 to spring up a three-bedroom apartment. These and many packages help the Ghanaian to thank the teacher in humility.

It is only when we allow teachers to work independently and in a conducive environment that we would indirectly empower them through motivation to work harder. There is no doubt government and the public will continue to support teachers in every way possible to ensure they are empowered to to do what they have trained to do best. Teachers through the ethics of the profession should rise up to the task by working even harder to justify the huge investment in their education, training and in the entirety of the education sector. That is why it is worrying that a good number of Junior High and Senior High schools across the country still record low grades in both BECE and WASSCE in spite of successive governments commitment to teachers conditions of service and sustenance of motivations.

As we continue to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of teachers, we demand accountability from them as well. A lot is expected from teachers with the implementation of the Free Senior High School Policy as more students are enrolled to pursue secondary education. It is important to commend your efforts now and forever. The teacher is integral in the deliverance of quality education to Ghanaians.

The demands of education in the 21st century Ghana require a teacher that is adequately prepared to be motivated and work under conditions to be able to ensure quality education. According to Henry Ford, “coming together is the beginning and keeping together is progress".

Long Live Teaching! Long Live Ghana!