Credibility has sustained Independence Day Awards – Dr. Apaak

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, says the credibility of the Independence Day Awards has sustained the scheme since its inception in 1993.

Dr. Apaak made the remarks at the President’s Independence Day Awards for school children held at the Accra International Conference Centre, where outstanding pupils from across the country were honoured for academic excellence.

Highlighting the foundation of the awards, he stressed that fairness and transparency in the selection process remain central to its longevity and public trust.

“This year we celebrate 52 awardees selected through an inclusive process coordinated by the Ghana Education Service. These students represent every region in Ghana,” Dr. Apaak stated.

According to him, the nationwide representation of winners is not incidental but the result of a deliberate framework designed to promote equal opportunity.

“This regional and inclusive structure reflects a deliberate national commitment. Excellence must be identified everywhere and opportunity must reach everyone,” he said.

Dr. Apaak commended the Ghana Education Service for overseeing what he described as a thorough and transparent exercise.

“We commend the Ghana Education Service in the selection and verification process,” he noted, adding that the integrity of the awards depends heavily on the credibility of that process.

He further explained that the awards are the product of careful deliberations aimed at ensuring fairness across the education sector.

“These awards are the outcomes of careful deliberations in ensuring fairness across public and private institutions and full inclusion of learners with special educational needs,” Dr. Apaak said.

The Deputy Minister pointed out that this consistent commitment to fairness has preserved the relevance and respect of the scheme for more than three decades.

“This credibility is what has sustained the President’s Independence Day Awards since its inception in 1993,” he emphasised.

He also acknowledged the contribution of corporate partners to the continuity of the programme.

“I wish to express our sincerest appreciation to Nestlé Ghana Limited for its continuous and now over three decades sponsorship and partnership,” he added.

The President’s Independence Day Awards remains one of the country’s most prestigious recognitions for basic school pupils, with officials maintaining that its enduring credibility continues to inspire confidence in the national education system.