Richard Tiimob Crowned Ghana’s Most Outstanding Teacher A teacher at Savelugu Senior High School in the Northern Region, Richard W. Tiimob, has be
Richard Tiimob Crowned Ghana’s Most Outstanding Teacher
A teacher at Savelugu Senior High School in the Northern Region, Richard W. Tiimob, has been crowned Ghana’s Most Outstanding Teacher at the 2025 Ghana Teacher Prize ceremony held in Ho, the Volta Regional capital, on Sunday.
Mr Tiimob emerged the overall winner from a pool of 15 finalists, shortlisted from more than 600 applicants in the teacher category, in recognition of his exceptional dedication, innovation, and impact in education.
For his prize, Mr Tiimob received a three-bedroom house and an educational trip abroad. The award was presented by Vice-President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who decorated him with a sash and handed over the scholarship and prototype of the house. Mr Tiimob was joined on stage by his wife and son, drawing warm applause from the audience.
The first runner-up received a 4×4 pickup truck, while the second runner-up took home a saloon car. In other categories, the Best College of Education Lecturer was also presented with a pickup truck, while the Best Teacher in Leadership and Administration and the Best Non-Teaching Staff each received a saloon car.
All awardees also received scholarships to further their studies, with the topmost winners earning an educational trip abroad.
Celebrating Teachers
The award ceremony, themed “Elevating the Status of Teachers for Quality Education,” brought together dignitaries, educators, and stakeholders from across the country. It formed part of Ghana’s commemoration of World Teachers’ Day, celebrated globally on October 5 each year to honor the dedication and contribution of teachers to national development.
Also in attendance were the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Apaak; the Director-General of the National Teaching Council (NTC), Prof. Samuel Ofori Bekoe; the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis; the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu; and representatives of teacher unions, lecturers, and students.
Sanction for Abusers
The Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, paid glowing tribute to teachers across the country, describing them as “architects of possibility.”
“Our children look up to you not only for knowledge but also for character, discipline, and values,” she said, adding that teachers were “the true architects of social mobility” who transform classrooms into launchpads for the future.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang emphasized that the position of trust teachers hold comes with the highest responsibility.
“As teachers, we must always remember that we are placed in positions of trust, protection, and empathy. The power given to us is to facilitate learning,” she said.
She cautioned that the government would not hesitate to sanction any teacher or educational leader who abused that trust, noting that such actions violated the sacred responsibility placed in educators.
“We will not hesitate to sanction those who violate this trust,” she added, expressing concern over rising cases of violence and indiscipline in schools. She assured that the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service would act decisively against attacks on teachers, especially physical assaults.
PTA and Collaboration
Professor Opoku-Agyemang announced plans to revive Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) to strengthen community participation in the moral and academic development of learners.
She also pledged that the government would deepen collaboration with teacher unions to address challenges in the education sector and support the National Teaching Council (NTC) in regulating the profession to raise standards.
“The government greatly appreciates the level of collaboration between us and our teacher unions thus far — especially through our frequent meetings and ongoing social dialogue,” she said.
The Vice-President further acknowledged the challenges confronting the education sector and commended teachers for their creativity, resilience, and commitment, urging them to continue serving with integrity and dedication.
Reforms
On reforms to strengthen the teaching profession, Professor Opoku-Agyemang outlined several key initiatives, including the National Digital Teacher Training Programme, which has equipped over 60,000 educators with improved skills in pedagogy, digital literacy, and inclusive education.
She also highlighted measures to reduce stress among teachers, particularly in the secondary education sector, such as ensuring consistent meal provision and incorporating teacher accommodation into new school projects.
She noted that recent mental health and psycho-social well-being training for pre-service teachers was essential for sustaining the teaching profession.
Conditions of Service
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, assured teachers that the government was committed to improving their conditions of service and welfare.
“We know that you are paid very low, but under a reset agenda, we will right some of those wrongs,” he said.
Mr Iddrisu announced that the government was reviewing the pre-tertiary curriculum to make integrity a central value in teacher education. He also cautioned teachers against abusing or exploiting learners, stressing that such acts were unacceptable and would attract severe sanctions.
He added that no teacher was above the law, warning that those who operated below acceptable professional standards would face the highest sanctions under education regulations.
He charged the Director-General of the GES to confidently apply the law, assuring him that “the law of the state is behind you whenever you apply it.”
Addressing students, Mr Iddrisu urged them to maintain discipline and respect for their teachers and parents.
“The future is yours — but be disciplined. With hard work, the future will remain yours,” he said.
Gratitude
Mr Tiimob expressed deep gratitude to God, his family, students, colleagues, and the leadership of Savelugu Senior High School for their continuous support. He said the honor would inspire him to continue giving his best to the teaching profession and to serve as a role model for young educators.
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