Ghanaians have been urged to give due respect and full recognition to teachers operating in basic schools, just as they do to their counterparts
in higher institutions in the country.
The Very Reverend Charles K. Ekubban, Minister in-charge of the Ajumako-Manso circuit
of the Methodist Church, Ghana, made the call at special dedication service he organised for about 30 basic schoolteachers in the circuit at Ajumako-Mando on Sunday.
He said the dedication service would be held for teachers in the area every year to ask God's blessings, wisdom, vision, spiritual guidance and protection for their work and their families.
Very Rev. Ekubban was not happy about the way most Ghanaians treat teachers at the basic school level, saying that it is about time Ghanaians changed their perception and general attitudes towards basic schoolteachers.
He recalled the type of respect and recognition offered basic schoolteachers in
the 1940's up to early 1960's by the public
and hoped that if Ghanaians of present generation learned to extend similar respect and recognition to basic schoolteachers it would serve as a morale booster to the teachers, especially those in the rural areas.
The Very Rev. Ekubban advised teachers, who indulge in immoral acts detrimental to the ethics of the profession to turn over a new leaf, adding that as agents of character moulding and transformers of indisciplined pupils and students, they must always learn to exhibit the highest degree of moral qualities needed to curb indiscipline among the youth.
He cited some of the inordinate attitudes and behaviour of some teachers in the society as drunkenness, indecent assault of female pupils and students, laziness, lack of vision, commitment and dedication to duty, as well as indecent dressing of some female teachers.

The Very Rev. Ekubban said teaching is one of the noble professions, which should not be left to lose its dignity and respect as a result of some few bad nuts in the profession, adding that teaching must not be treated as an ancillary wing of education.
He said teaching exudes discipline and information, builds commitment personality, remoulds character, bring enlightenment, and is always a pathfinder and many more good things, which goes to better the lot of the people and society at large.
The Very Rev. Ekubban regretted that these days, many teachers unfortunately treat teaching as an ancillary wing of education, adding that the lifestyle of these teachers tends to discolour the beauty of the noble profession.
He said, "The way some teachers dress, speak, and approach their teaching skills leave much to be desired, adding that at times the methodology acquired was even jettisoned and therefore students pass through school without any vision.
The Very Rev. Ekubban said any method of teaching, which does not inform, lift the people from the doldrums, adequately prepare them for the socio-economic and spiritual development of the individual citizens and the nation must be considered as a wasted effort.
He said to salvage the lost image of the teaching profession, teachers must have a passion for commitment and above all, their interest should be above monetary gains and other things.
He reminded teachers of the works of Christ who, besides preaching and healing, taught people how to lead excellent moral lives and asked teachers to emulate Christ.
Mrs Kate Amartey, Diocesan Lay Chairperson of the Cape Coast Diocese of the Methodist Church Ghana and District Director of Education for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem, who presided over the service, commended Rev. Ekubban for his high sense of commitment, dedication to the service of God and divine vision and urged other ministers of religion in the country to emulate him.
Mrs. Amartey charged teachers in the area to work harder to raise the standards of education in the area.