The 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours has awarded Professor Amina Plummer, Education Director, The Owl's Nest International School, Accra, Ghana, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).

The Award is in recognition of Prof Plummer's services to education and social work in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ghana.

The MBE is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service.

Prof Plummer is among 129 people who were recognized on the Queen's Birthday Honours for their exceptional service to the UK and internationally.

On learning of her award, Prof Plummer was visibly elated and said: "I am delighted and honoured to receive this award and grateful to those who nominated me. It is wonderful to know that my vocation of 40-plus years is appreciated and recognised."

"Thank you to everyone who supported me, especially my family, friends, colleagues and most of all the children and their families".

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Prof Plummer said, she was absolutely delighted to be nominated and considered worthy of the award.

Originally from Manchester, Prof Plummer spent the early part of her career supporting children, parents, and carers in the diverse community of Moss Side.

She went on to work as a lecturer at the University of Salford, with leadership of children and families and social inequalities and human rights modules.

As a counselling supervisor for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), her Master's and PhD research related to safeguarding children, with a focus on Africa.

Prof Plummer moved to Ghana in 1999 and in 2007 launched an inclusive international school in Cantonments, The Owl's Nest International School, teaching a UK curriculum.

She has also supported disadvantaged children and families in the local area through both the school and her charity work with the Street Children's Empowerment Foundation (SCEF) in Jamestown, Accra.

In December 2018, the Academic Union in Oxford declared her Owl's Nest International School as one of the 'Best Regional Educational Institutions' and recognized Prof Plummer as one of the 'Educators of the Year'.

"I see the future of children in Ghana as a lot brighter because we are currently reforming our educational system. It is a very good thing, keeping teachers updated in their practice and in helping children to perform competitively in the 21st century," Prof Plummer said.

"Education should not be taken for granted, it is an opportunity and I want to help to give more children in Ghana the opportunity to attend school".