President awards for school children

Page 11
March 6, 2009

ONE key feature in the country’s independence day celebrations for the past 16 years is the President’s Awards for school children.
The annual event organised to honour school children on independence day, seeks to motivate them and to also inspire their mates to learn harder in order to reach greater heights in their education.
Since it was instituted, 270 school children who have completed basic education have been awarded by a sitting President of the country.
During the Independence Day parade, 20 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) graduates, selected from the 10 regions are presented with scholarships by the government for the duration of their studies in senior high school. Two winners each are selected from a region.
Apart from the scholarship, each winner is also presented with money, a book and a certificate signed by the President and the Minister of Education.
The selection of the award winners starts from the school level through to the district, where District Directors constitute interview panels comprising experienced educationists, School Management Committees (SMCs) and district assembly representatives, among other personalities to interview prospective candidates.
The criteria for selection are: performance in the BECE (not necessarily 10 ones), participation in co-curricular activities, particularly involvement in school or club activities, sports, community services and leadership roles. The rest are: exemplary conduct and good moral behaviour and other special qualities of excellence.
The award winners for last year who are currently in senior high school two (SHS 2) are: Esther Awinpoak Abalua and Emmanuel Wintiig Adakudugu, Upper East Region; Saaka Amina Darimani and Abdul-Kudus Chibu, Upper West Region; Unity Felicia Adua and Sulemana Hafiz Abubakari, Northern Region; Adwoa Ening Adu-Nti and Michael Oppong Antwi, Brong Ahafo Region as well as Linda Ama Bonsu and Robert Baah Yawson from the Ashanti Region.
The others are: Emmanuella Akwaboah and Gabriel Kwesi Dwomoh, Western Region; Vanesa Sangari and Emmanuel Edem Klu, Central Region; Eyram Akosua Dzawu and Sebastian Kwame Gudu, Volta Region; Joyce Asiedua Acheampong and Emmanuel Aboagye Apau, Eastern Region and Ivy Sackey and Robert Nii Atsem Kpakpo, Greater Accra Region.
According to the Coordinator, Mrs Elizabeth Quarmyne, the institution of the award had been beneficial as most of the winners had either completed university or were in university, adding that they had also distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavours.
She said a comprehensive check would be made on the achievements of the award winners to serve as a motivation to others, “but from our little checks they are doing very well”.
She said there had never been an occasion when the award was withdrawn from an award winner as a result of poor performance, and that the winners had always justified the awards given to them.
Mrs Quarmyne explained that between 1993-1999, a student each from the 10 regions was awarded and that the figure was increased from one to two from each region in 2000.
She said apart from the 4-year scholarship being provided by government, Milo is the title sponsor of the Independence Day awards for this year. As part of its sponsorship package, it is providing GH¢ 400.00 cash, special plaque, stationery to each winner and providing accommodation and feeding, as well as taking them on excursions to a few places. Readwide is also presenting them with books.
An Assistant Director of the Public Relations Unit of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr Paul Krampah said the award winners were in fields of medicine and engineering.
“They have performed excellently and have justified the trust reposed in them,” he emphasised, saying that the awards have served as motivation to others.