52 students receive president’s Independence Day Award in Accra

The Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, yesterday presented awards to 52 students at this year’s President’s Independence Day Awards ceremony in Accra.

The awardees, who were drawn from all 16 regions in the country, were recognised for their outstanding performance in the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

They comprised 32 students from public schools, 16 from private schools, two visually impaired and two hearing-impaired students, one each from the Eastern and Greater Accra regions. The students received mementos and other materials for their hard work.

They were selected through an inclusive process coordinated by the Ghana Education Service (GES).

The annual awards formed part of activities marking this year’s Independence Anniversary celebration on the theme: “Building prosperity, restoring hope.”

It was instituted to recognise and celebrate academic excellence among students in the country.

The awards are presented to students who excel in the BECE, with the aim of encouraging academic achievement and personal development across the country.

The categories are – Overall Best Male and Female students across the 16 regions; Overall Best students from private schools in the 16 regions, and Overall National Best Male and Female students with additional educational needs – visual and hearing impairment.

The ceremony was organised by the GES under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, in partnership with Nestlé Ghana Ltd, under one of its trusted brands, Ideal Milk.

Concerns

The Vice-President, who is an educationist herself and a former Minister of Education, expressed concern about troubling developments in some schools, including examination malpractices, vandalism and rising cases of indiscipline.

She stated that although only a small percentage of students engaged in such behaviours, those actions undermined national progress and projected a wrong image of the country.

Referencing the 69th Independence Day theme, Building Prosperity, Restoring Hope, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said the call to action was especially directed at young people.

“Prosperity is not built by infrastructure and policies alone. It is also built by law-abiding students and citizens who understand that personal conduct has national repercussions,” she said.

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive education, stressing that efforts were ongoing to improve policies, expand access, raise quality standards and strengthen the education system as a pillar of national development.

Measures

The Vice-President said the government was working with stakeholders to strengthen discipline and value-based education across schools in the country.

The measures would include reinforcing guidance and counselling systems to ensure that disciplinary measures remained firm and respectful of children’s rights and dignity when necessary.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang added that GES was reviewing existing disciplinary frameworks in consultation with parents, teachers and educational experts to address misconduct and prevent escalation.

“The goal is not punishment for its own sake, but to develop citizens who understand both their freedoms and responsibilities,” she explained.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang encouraged the students to remain focused on their goals, choose friends wisely, respect school authorities and remember that “excellence isn’t just about how well you do in class, it is also about how you behave when nobody is watching”.

Mandate

The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Apaak, reaffirmed the ministry’s mandate to maintain standards, strengthen systems and promote inclusive, quality education across the country.

He said the event was a testament to structured reforms, deliberate policy implementation, and inclusive excellence across the country by his outfit.

The awards, he said, highlighted inclusivity in basic education and underscored the government’s commitment to gender balance and regional equity.

For his part, the Managing Director of Nestlé Ghana Limited, Salome Azevedo, reaffirmed the company’s enduring commitment to education and youth development, adding that they would continue to encourage students to pursue knowledge, develop skills, and strive for personal excellence.

Source: Graphic Online