The Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin is calling on the State to pay teachers a well deserving remuneration for their work. He says the role of the teacher in a comprehensive quality education cannot be over emphasized.
To him, teachers must be motivated well to give off their very best even though they’re currently doing well under the circumstances they have found themselves.
Addressing a durbar of the Chiefs and people of the Benkum division of Akyem Abuakwa State at Begoro, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin called on the government to act fast on teacher remuneration.
He acknowledged that the free Senior High School Education introduced by the Akufu-Addo government is one of the biggest investments, which affords every Ghanaian child a free education to the secondary school level.
However, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori underscores the importance of addressing some few challenges hindering the success of the program.
He advocates for enough classroom, tables, chairs, beds and other facilities that would make learning more convenient for the school children.
Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin called on the Government to motivate teachers and pay them well. According to Okyenhene, teacher motivation and good remuneration are inextricably linked with quality education.
‘The future of our children is dependent on quality education and skills development. Today, every Ghanaian child has the means to free SHS education. We must note that, it’s not just about passing through the school.
“There must be quality education. If you provide all the amenities and you don’t pay the teacher well, it affects the children’s education’, Okyenhene stress.
Be A Servant Leader
Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin also called on leaders to serve in humility and respect. According to Okyenhene, throughout history, there was no single rich or great leader who died and was buried with his riches, but the lives that they impact leaves on till eternity.
‘There is no rich man in the world who has been buried with his fleet of cars or houses. The memories they leave in the lives of others and their communities rather stay for life”, Osagyefuo noted Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin added that a great leader is the one who leaves an indelible legacy for generations unborn.
‘There is power in humility, there is authority in humility, we don’t use power to enrich ourselves, we use power to serve diligently. The greatest currency is humility and service’, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin
The Benkum Divisional durbar is the second out of the five divisional royal durbar’s schedule to be held in honor of Okyenhene’s 25th Anniversary celebration on the accession to the Ofori Panin stool under the theme: 25 years of Sustainable Leadership and Service to Humanity.
History of The Benkum Division
Benkum is the second largest division within the Akyem Abuakwa State structure. It has over 300 towns and villages. Within the Akyem Abuakwa state hierarchy, the Benkumhene otherwise known as the
Fanteakwahene is the commander and chief of the left wing of the army with his permanent residence at Begoro, the capital of the division. The Benkum Division occupies a very large area of land. It was the bastion of the western division of the Akyem Abuakwa Army.
In ancient times, the Western part of Akyem Abuakwa state was more exposed to hostile states than any other division. The Benkum Division shares borders with Asante, the Kwahu, the Akwamu, Krobo and parts of the Volta Region. The Benkumhene dress and coronet the same way as Nifahene and both are equal in rank.
In parades, the Benkumhene is the third to the Adontenhene. The Benkumhene belongs tothe Royal Asona clan. The principal chiefs in this division are the Odauhene of Osenase and Otwereso. He is equal in rank to the Benkumhene and shares all things equally.
The Benkumhene and Begorohene, however, take precedence in all matters, civil and military and he is the acknowledged head of the division.
The rest are chief of Apinaman, the chief of Osino, otherwise known as Mumuadu Sei, the chief of Suhum, Amanase, Sawirako, and Apedwa among others.
