Kumasi, May 15, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Methodist Educational Unit on Friday gave awards to over 40 students, teachers and some educational institutions in the region for their academic excellence and commitment to sports development. The award winners received prizes ranging from cash, television sets and certificates.

At the primary level, Mr Kwabena Asokwa Manuh, a teacher at the Swedru Methodist Basic School in the Kwabre district, placed first and was given a 20-inch colour television, whilst Mr Ebenezer Kusi of the Kumasi Wesley College (WESCO) Demonstration School who also placed first in the Junior Secondary School (JSS) category, took home a 20-inch colour television.

Mr Joseph Kusi Ampong, a teacher at the Osei Tutu Secondary School at Akropong in the Atwima-Nwabiagya district placed first in the Senior Secondary School category and took home a 20-inch colour television. Miss Jemima Owusu Asante, a former student of the Mmofraturo JSS and Mr Sebastian Okyere of Prempeh College, both of whom placed first in the JSS and SSS students categories received 500,000 cedis each as prizes.

In the sports category, Wesley College, which excelled in sporting activities was given 300,000 cedis as their prize whilst Osei Tutu Secondary also received 200,000 cedis for their excellence in the debate competition.

The Right Reverend Nuh Ben Abubekr, Methodist Bishop of Kumasi, in an address said the church was committed to fulfilling its social responsibility, adding that it would therefore, reward any individual or institution that excelled in its field of endeavour. He said the church believes in educational partnership with the government, and that it would continue to help promote education in the country.

Bishop Abubekr hoped that the ceremony would motivate the teachers and students to work harder.

He appealed to the Metropolitan and District Assemblies to include the Methodist schools in their schools rehabilitation programme to enhance teaching and learning.

Mrs Georgina Issifu, a retired educationist, who chaired the function, commended the Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Church for instituting the awards and said it would go a long way to motivate teachers and students to give-off their best.