Government Honours Top 52 BECE Stars

The Ministry of Education Ghana has hosted the top 52 awardees of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for a courtesy

call, reaffirming government’s commitment to improving educational outcomes and expanding equal opportunities across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, the Deputy Minister, Clement Abas Apaak, congratulated the students for their exceptional performance and urged them to remain focused as they progress in their academic journeys.
The Minister, who is recovering steadily from a recent accident, conveyed his warm regards to the students through his Deputy.
Out of the thousands of candidates who sat for the BECE nationwide, 52 students were selected based on outstanding academic achievement. The awardees represent all 16 regions of Ghana and include students from deprived schools as well as visually and hearing-impaired candidates, reflecting inclusivity within the education system.
The students are expected to be officially honoured at a grand ceremony to be graced by the President.
Presenting the awardees, Ernest Kofi Davis, Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, described them as “exceptional young achievers” who embody the very best of Ghana’s public education system.
The Deputy Minister acknowledged persistent challenges within the sector, particularly in rural and underserved communities where teacher shortages and infrastructure deficits remain pressing concerns.
He outlined key government interventions, including the Teacher Diploma Programme and a new incentive policy that grants teachers who accept postings to rural and deprived areas an additional 20 percent of their gross salary, alongside accommodation support.
“These reforms are aimed at ensuring that students in every part of the country have the same opportunity to excel,” he said.
A major highlight of the engagement was the government’s free sanitary pad distribution programme for girls from upper primary to senior high school. The initiative seeks to eliminate period poverty, reduce absenteeism and boost girls’ confidence and academic performance.
According to the Deputy Minister, over 12 million sanitary pads were distributed last year, with GH¢292 million allocated in the current budget to sustain the programme.
He also disclosed plans to eliminate “schools under trees,” revealing government’s intention to construct 200 kindergarten blocks, 200 primary school blocks and 200 junior high schools to address a backlog of more than 5,000 such schools.
While commending the awardees for their discipline and excellence, the Deputy Minister cautioned against misconduct in secondary schools, warning that acts of lawlessness would attract strict disciplinary and legal consequences.
“Ghana is looking up to you. Don’t let this achievement be the end. Let it be the beginning,” he urged.
The ceremony concluded with renewed assurance from government to provide equitable and quality education for every Ghanaian child.