Ghana’s 2023 Best Teacher, Faith Aku Dzakpasu, has been named in the top 50 shortlist for the GEMS Education Global Teach­er Prize.

Organised by Varkey Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the award is given to an exceptional teacher mak­ing significant impact on students and the community.

She was selected from over 5,000 nominations and applications from 89 countries across the world.

Now in its ninth year, the one mil­lion dollars Global Teacher Prize is the largest prize of its kind.

She made the mark following an incredible teaching philosophy which focuses on innovative and inclusive strategies tailored to meet the di­verse needs of students.

She also employs research-based methods like Layering Text, Cross Text Analysis and tools such as ChatGPT to simplify complex concepts.

Speaking to The Spectator in Accra on Monday, she explained that her classroom fosters creativity, active participation and hands-on learning, integrating digital tools like Canva and 3D modelling software.

“I have also established centres for supporting students with learn­ing disabilities and offers creative modules to help all learners succeed, regardless of their challenges,” she stated.

“Being selected for this award is a remarkable milestone in my teaching journey as I look forward to impacting on children and society at large,” she stated.

She encouraged teachers to be committed to their duty and go the extra mile to impact knowledge into children.

“We must continue to find new way to make teaching and learning more flexible and understandable,” she stressed.

“Visually engaging classroom de­signs and inclusive methods would consistently boost attendance, confi­dence and academic performance,” she explained.

On her own, Mrs Dzakpasu founded the Street School Project, bringing education to street children and the Creative Aid Agenda, which has trained over 4,200 individuals in en­trepreneurial skills like biodegradable paper bag crafting.

She also established the Mother of Many Missions orphanage project, sup­porting orphans with essentials and education. Her “Reinventing Behind Bars” initiative empowers incarcerat­ed women with self-care and reinte­gration tools.

Ms Dzakpasu, is a teacher at Doblo Gonno Methodist Basic School in the Ga West Municipal Assembly in the Greater Accra Region.

 By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu

The Women’s Ministries De­partment of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church ob­served the International Day of Prayer on March 1 at various SDA churches across the country.

The event, held on the theme ‘Reach Out,’ was aimed to empower women to spread the gospel, hope, kindness, and compassion to those in need.

Delivering the sermon at the New Life SDA Church last Saturday, Dr Mrs Cecilia Agyei Darko, former Acting Principal of the SDA College of Educa­tion (SEDACOE), encouraged women to stand firm in their faith because God al­lowed them to go through tribulations and trials to strengthen their faith in Him.

According to her, there would be times in their lives when they might lose a dear one, but even in those difficult times, they must still be thankful to God.

The former Acting Principal encour­aged the women to reach out to the poor and vulnerable, and share their testimonies to inspire others.

Dr Darko, therefore emphasised the need for the women to carry with them a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to reach out to those in need.

As part of the programme, the women also lifted prayers for the nation and for leaders who would prioritise the welfare of citizens.

They also thanked God for a peace­ful election.

The International Day of Prayer served as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith, hope, and com­passion in the face of adversity.

 By Linda Abrefi Wadie