Grantson is the overall national best teacher for 2003

Kumasi, Oct. 6, GNA - Mr Solomon Kobina Grantson, 42, of the Ahwiaa Anglican Primary School in the Western Region was on Monday adjudged the overall national best teacher for the 2002 - 2003 academic year. For his prize, he took home a cheque for 220 million cedis to build a house.

The first runner up position went to Mr Alexander Raymond Buabeng, a Tutor of the Mfantsipim School, Cape Coast with Mr Paul Tabi Arhin of the Berekum Training College, Berekum, coming up as the second runner up.

They both drove away new saloon cars from the Jackson Park, Kumasi, where the ninth National Best Teacher Awards Day celebration was held. The award ceremony was on the theme: "Teachers: Opening Doors To A Better World".

There were also prizes for other outstanding teachers at the basic and second cycle schools as well as science and teaching. They were presented with colour television sets, videocassette recorders, fridges, gas cookers and solar lamps.

The celebration was also used to launch a book on the best practices of the Ghana Best Teacher.

Mr Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, Minister of Education Youth and Sports, launched the 124-page book, which the United Nations Children's Fund, (UNICEF) funded.

He spoke of the need to name prizes presented during teachers' awards after some illustrious Ghanaian educationists like the late Dr Kwegyir Aggrey; Dr Kwame Nkrumah; Mr T.A. Bediako and Professor T.A Sai.

The Minister announced that from next Wednesday, Directors of Education would meet the public to discuss solutions to problems facing the country's education.