Teachers have been urged to live decent and morally upright lives to influence children and facilitate their proper upbringing and development.

The Reverend Dr David Kojo Yalley, the Yeji Superintendent Minister of the Methodist Church, gave the advice at a durbar to mark the Brong-Ahafo Regional celebration of the World Teachers Day on Monday at Kwame-Danso in the Sene West District.

According to the Reverend Minister, pupils and students have high confidence in teachers; hence the lifestyle of teachers, either good or bad could easily have consequential effect on the development of boys and girls.

It was organized by the Regional Secretariat of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), on the theme “Empowering teachers; building a sustainable society”.

Rev. Dr Yalley noted that the role of teachers in moulding up a useful and purposeful youth is very significant and could not be overemphasized.

This, he explained, was why the church continued to partner with key stakeholders in education to instill a high sense of morality, integrity and discipline not only among teachers but also pupils and students.

Rev. Yalley stressed that a valuable society and sustainable development could be attained if children were thought and instilled with the rudiments of uprightness and integrity which they could learn from teachers.

Mr William Xetor, the Sene West District Director of Education, noted that teaching is a profession which required self-denial, patients and sobriety.

He said numerous responsibilities were placed on teachers in ensuring that the nation met its required human resource base needed for development.

Mr Xetor asked teachers to pursue high academic standards by upgrading themselves to be able to cope with the challenges of globalisation.

Mr. Addai Fofie, the Sene East District Chief Executive, called for increased capacity of teachers to enable them shape the lives of children so as to enable them grow to become national asset.

He assured that the District Assembly would continue to assist teachers at all times to help raise the education standards in the area.

Mr. Addai expressed the hope that all teachers, especially those serving in deprived communities would be well motivated, and commended the award winners for their hard work.

Mr Samuel Amoah, the Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Secretary of GNAT, appealed to the government to find lasting solutions to concerns raised by teachers in enhancing quality education.

The GNAT presented prizes ranging from refrigerators, gas cylinders, burners, rice cookers, cooking utensils and citation to deserving teachers.