The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has praised teachers, particularly those serving in remote and deprived parts of the country, for their selfless services to the nation.

He said many of them were working in areas that lacked the basic social amenities, thereby making living in those areas a sacrifice.

Speaking at the fourth Otumfuo Teachers Awards programme at the Manhyia Palace on Thursday, the Asantehene urged teachers to continue to give their best irrespective of the challenges they faced.

The awards, which was instituted four years ago, is to motivate teachers serving in some deprived areas in the country.

Yesterday’s ceremony formed part of activities marking the 15th anniversary of the enstoolment of the Otumfuo.

The Asantehene underscored the importance of education, which he said was the pillar for the development of the country, for which reason there was the need for every child of school-going-age to have access to education.

He said without the sacrifice of those teachers who had accepted posting to some of those inaccessible areas, that goal could not be achieved.

He commended the awardees for the sacrifice and urged them not to be discouraged, as their contribution to the development of society was being appreciated.

While acknowledging that the prizes being given them would not drastically improve their living conditions, he was hopeful that the recognition alone would motivate them to continue to offer their services to those who needed them most.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu called on Ghanaians, particularly professionals, to accept posting to the rural areas to help develop these areas for the benefit of the whole country.

Gifty Bangdong, a teacher from the Upper West Region, who spoke on behalf of the awardees, was grateful to the Asantehene and the foundation for the recognition and pledged to continue to do their best to uplift the quality of education in their areas