Two Ghanaian teachers have been named among the top 50 finalists for the prestigious 2025 Global Teacher Prize, an honour that celebrates exceptional contributions to education worldwide.
Faith Aku Dzakpasu, a teacher at GRETA ‘D’ Shepherd 2 Basic School in the Greater Accra Region, and Stella Gyimaah Larbi, a teacher at Adenta Community Junior High School, have joined an elite group of educators vying for the US$1 million award.
The prize, established by the Varkey Foundation in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), is the largest of its kind, spotlighting the transformative impact of teachers on society.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show (ABS) on Friday (17 January), Dzakpasu shared her elation at the recognition.
“Being named as one of the 50 best teachers in the globe is something that makes me so happy,” she said, her voice brimming with gratitude.
“I always say that ‘It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but it is of God that sheweth mercy.’”
Dzakpasu reflected on the magnitude of her achievement, describing it as a testament to divine favour. “Just imagine the number of teachers that we have globally,” she said.
Her journey to this global stage has been anything but easy. The 2023 National Best Teacher recounted the resilience and passion that fuelled her career.
“The journey has not been an easy journey. It has been a journey full of hard work, it has been a journey full of resilience, it has been a journey full of passion,” she explained.
“I feel I deserve this because in the year 2023, I won the national best teacher; the nation recognised me as the most outstanding teacher in 2023. So this alone shows that I, by the grace of God, have worked for this award.”
The Global Teacher Prize, now in its ninth year, seeks to honour one extraordinary educator who has made a profound impact on their profession and community.
It also aims to elevate the teaching profession’s status and highlight the critical role teachers play in shaping society’s future.
For Dzakpasu and Larbi, their inclusion among the finalists is not just a personal triumph but a moment of pride for Ghana’s education sector.
Their achievements serve as an inspiration to teachers nationwide, reaffirming the transformative power of dedication and innovation in the classroom.
