Abigail Agyeiwaa Named 2026 National Best Teacher as Vice President Pledges GH¢33 Billion to Education Sector

Abigail Agyeiwaa, an English Language teacher from Mangoase Senior High School, has been crowned the 2026 Overall Outstanding Teacher at the Ghana Teacher Prize ceremony held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA). For her exceptional dedication, Ms. Agyeiwaa was awarded a three-bedroom house valued at GH¢700,000. The event, themed “Empowering Teachers: Architects of the Future,” also recognized Hammond Agyen and James Kwabo Sekyi as the first and second runners-up, respectively, with Mr. Agyen receiving a 4x4 pick-up truck and Mr. Sekyi a brand-new saloon car. These awards serve as the centerpiece of a national effort to celebrate educators who have significantly improved educational outcomes across the country.

Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, representing the government at the grand durbar, reaffirmed a massive financial commitment to the sector, announcing an allocation of over GH¢33 billion in the 2026 Budget. This funding is earmarked for critical infrastructure, including the completion of 30 E-block school projects and the expansion of the Teacher Housing Initiative to improve living conditions for educators in rural areas. The Vice President also highlighted significant structural reforms, such as the ongoing transition from double-track to single-track systems in senior high schools and the removal of administrative bottlenecks that have historically hindered teacher promotions.

In addition to infrastructure, the government is actively addressing labor concerns to prevent further industrial action. Professor Opoku-Agyemang reported progress in ongoing negotiations with teacher unions regarding conditions of service and career progression. Complementing this, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu pledged that the government would settle outstanding promotion arrears for over 51,000 teachers by October 30, 2026. The Minister also noted efforts to validate data on deprived schools to ensure the effective implementation of the deprived-area allowance, a move aimed at incentivizing quality teaching in underserved communities.

The Vice President concluded by urging teachers to maintain high professional standards and embrace continuous development to adapt to a rapidly changing global labor market. She emphasized that the government’s investment in professional development and new technologies is designed to ensure that Ghanaian educators remain competitive and capable of preparing students for future challenges. As the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission continues to engage with unions over expired collective agreements, the government maintains that dialogue and sustainable funding remain the twin pillars of its strategy to transform the nation's educational landscape.