Akim Oda, May 19, GNA - Mr Yaw Osafo Marfo, the Minister of Education and Sports, on Thursday reminded teachers that with the on-going educational reforms, they were expected to play an effective role to bring about change among pupils and students. "Ghana today, more than ever, needs people who are well-prepared to manage various sectors of the economy thereby developing the critical mass for the country to realize the vision of becoming middle income country by the year 2020", he said.

Mr Osafo Marfo said this in an address read on his behalf at the presentation of the 2002, 2003 and 2004 Birim South Best Teacher/Non-teaching Staff Award held at Akim Oda on Thursday. He appealed to teachers to be prepared to use appropriate teaching and learning materials and also employ variety of methods to enhance teaching and learning.

"Through demonstration lessons, teachers have to make introduction to lessons very lively and linking them to pupils relevant previous knowledge to enable them to learn better", he said. Mrs Ewurabena Ahowi, the Eastern Regional Director of Education, said education delivery in the country was a partnership and appealed to partners to play their part well to be able to derive maximum benefit. Mr Yaw Amprofi, the District Chief Executive, said in order to get trained teachers for the rural setting, the assembly had instituted a teacher training sponsorship scheme to support teacher trainees who, after their training, would be posted to the district.

He said from January 2003 to April 2005, the assembly had paid 109.7 million cedis as sponsorship package to about 146 beneficiary teacher trainees.

Forty-seven teachers and six non-teaching staff who excelled in the various categories were presented with awards. Those who won first position received 14-inch television sets, the 2nd position taking home gas stoves with cylinders while the third position had tabletop refrigerators. 19 May 05