Profile
22 years of impactful service …Ebenezer Otoo initiates transformational projects
He started as a young teacher and was perhaps not certain what his professional life had in store for him. But with constant improvement, his 22 years of impactful service paid off last month when he was adjudged the 2021 National Most Outstanding Teacher. Clearly not obstructed by roadblocks, his journey had been fueled by commitment to excellence and the desire to transform young people positively through the educational system.
The Spectator, in a recent conversation, delved into some aspects of the life and career of Mr. Ebenezer Kojo Otoo as he highlighted projects he intends to execute in the years ahead.
Education
The Head of the Visual Arts Department at Winneba Secondary School in the Central Region grabbed the ultimate prize on his first attempt at the national contest. Born at Essikado in the Western Region, he started basic education at Pomase near Anomabo in the Central Region and continued at Well Road Methodist Primary School at Sekondi in the Western Region.
After completing Ketan Methodist Junior High School, he had wanted to study Business but had to settle for Visual Arts at Ahantaman Senior Secondary. In 1997, he gained admission to Enchi College of Education and obtained Teachers’ Certificate ‘A’ three years later.
At age 22, he was posted to Abuesi M/A Primary School in the Shama District in the Western Region where he served two years and was transferred to Old Hospital Junior High School at Sekondi. Determined to upgrade himself, he first obtained Diploma in Basic Education at the University of Cape Coast in 2004 and went further to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in the same field at University of Cape Coast in 2007. Between 2004 and 2008, he obtained another Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education at University of Education Winneba (UEW) and was posted to Winneba Secondary School where he has been teaching for the past 13 years.
Impact
Throughout his career Mr Otoo, nicknamed ‘Prof’, had been actively involved in extracurricular activities, serving in different capacities as Sports Master and Red Cross Coordinator in his catchment area.
Aside his passion for drama and cultural activities, he has trained a number of young athletes to attain sporting laurels in his jurisdiction and beyond.
“I always want to make an impact in many schools as possible that is why I spent at most two years in every school I was posted to but I ended up spending a longer time at Winneba Secondary School,” he said.
Seemingly impressed with his contributions so far, he said he was focused on training students to become “critical thinkers” and that was evident in the 100 per cent score most of his Visual Arts students obtained in their final examination. “Last year, 16 out of 44 students had ‘A1’ in one of my subjects. 15 students had ‘B2’; 10 had ‘B3’ and the rest had ‘C4’ to ‘C6’ and the performance keeps improving every year,” he noted.
Prior to winning the Outstanding Teacher Prize, Mr. Otoo had obtained Master of Education (Administration in Higher Education) at University of Cape Coast and said he was on course to securing Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Art Education.
Art Education
He observed that art education had, over the years, been erroneously considered the preserve of students with “weak grades” and has, therefore, stressed the need for stakeholders to help change the narrative.
“Technical and vocational training are the basic brains of the economy so let’s push students with the best grades to this field and give them the same level of attention given to the Arts and Sciences,” he emphasised. Projects As of Saturday, November 27, 2021, Mr Otoo had visited the northern, middle and southern belts to share his experience with other teachers and encourage BECE candidates to give of their best during the examination.
He is on a mission to adopt some “least performing schools” across the country and help students in selected schools improve on their academic performance.
In addition to setting up a Mobile Library to facilitate studies, Mr Otoo again wants to establish a Hall of Fame for all secondary schools in Ghana where educational achievements of the institutions and individuals would be etched in the form of art. He further solicits support to establish a well-resourced Ceramics Studio for Winneba Secondary School as well as build a “Human Rehabilitation Centre” in the Effutu Municipality.
“I am looking at a fiveyear period for this project and a couple of others and I will need the support of other individuals and organisations to start at least 20 of the Hall of Fames in each region by January 2022,” he said.
Other engagements
Apart from teaching, Mr. Otoo who turns 45 in a few months is a tour operator and a part-time farmer also.
In 2017, he won the Best Livestock Farmer in the Effutu Municipality and was, in 2020, adjudged the overall best farmer (second runner up) for his contribution to poultry farming, livestock rearing and vegetable production.
The experienced Educationist maintained that the teaching field was a rewarding venture and, therefore, encouraged teachers to adopt modern teaching approaches and do their best at all times, irrespective of the challenges.
While advising students to follow their passion and take advantage of learning opportunities, he urged the government to address the challenges of teachers and resource institutions that lagged behind. Mr. Otoo is married to Madam Paulina Enyoman Koomson, an Education Administrator at College of Distance and e-learning (CoDEL), UEW, Asante Mampong Campus. They have four children.
Having authored his maiden book titled “Winning The Teacher Prize: The Inside Out,’ he acknowledged the immense support he continues to receive from staff members, friends and family, including that of Apostle Emmanuel Dugan, Head Pastor, Supernatural Life Bible Church, at Winneba.
By Ernest Nutsugah
Aurora Commodore-Toppar believes in mentoring others and creating opportunities for people to thrive, emphasising that teamwork is key to success. For her, fulfillment comes not only from personal achievements but also from seeing others grow and succeed.
A devoted wife, mother of three, farmer, entrepreneur, and committed Christian, Aurora embodies the balance of faith, family, and service. Guided by values such as hard work, integrity, determination, justice, passion, and fairness, she lives a life anchored in principles that inspire those around her.
Aurora credits much of her success to a strong family support system and her ability to plan wisely, even managing her leave days to allocate time for work, farming, and family. “Proper planning and a supportive family have kept me going,” she says with a smile.
Early Leadership and Multitasking
Aurora’s leadership journey began long before her professional career took off. As a student, she learned the importance of structure and multitasking through unexpected lessons in water management, which she fondly recalls as the foundation for her discipline and organisational skills.
A Promise Fulfilled
Perhaps the most remarkable chapter in Aurora’s journey is her fulfillment of a long-standing promise to God. Before her Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) in 2000, she battled a serious health challenge and vowed that if God healed her and helped her complete her education, she would give back to her alma mater, Aburi Girls’ Senior High School.
Years later, upon visiting the school, she was disheartened by the state of the old basketball court, which also served as a car park. Guided by faith and a proactive spirit, she spearheaded the construction of an ultra-modern multi-purpose basketball court. The facility not only provides a safe and inspiring space for sports but also serves as a potential source of income for the school through community rentals.
Inspiration Through Sports and Life Lessons
Aurora views her service as part of her journey toward self-actualisation, drawing inspiration from Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. “In sports, you win, lose, or draw. These lessons translate into everyday life, teaching us to learn from our experiences and those of others,” she reflects.
Faith, Family, and Entrepreneurship
Aurora attributes her strength and values to her parents, mentors, and key professional influences. Beyond her professional commitments, she finds peace in farming crops and livestock, spending quality time with her children, and exploring creative hobbies such as bead-making and producing fresh juices. These hobbies eventually birthed her entrepreneurial venture, Pamkat Ventures. “Pamkat was born out of leisure time,” she explains.
A Life Philosophy
Acknowledging the demands society places on women—from marriage and motherhood to career and home management—Aurora remains grounded in faith. “It only takes the grace of God to get to the top,” she believes. Her family—a loving husband, two intelligent daughters, and a promising son she affectionately calls her “future president or minister for defence”—remains her greatest source of inspiration.
Her life philosophy is simple yet powerful: “It’s okay to dream big, but don’t let it remain just a dream. Plan it, act on it, and make an effort towards it. You don’t need titles to achieve anything. Once you are passionate about it, go for it.”
Through her acts of service, mentoring, and unwavering determination, Aurora Commodore-Toppar continues to inspire others, proving that when passion meets integrity, ordinary women can achieve extraordinary impact.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Spectator
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For Mrs. Patience Antonio, founder of the Women’s Leadership Development Institute (WLDI), women’s empowerment is more than a popular phrase; it is a lifelong mission to help women rediscover their strength, purpose, and voice. Her journey has been shaped by years of advocacy, research, and field experience working with women and children across Ghana.
Her words carry both compassion and conviction as she reflects on the state of women in society. “We can’t keep talking about women’s empowerment when we don’t protect and support them,” she says gently. “Many women are struggling in silence, carrying heavy emotional and financial burdens. Real empowerment must build the woman from within so she can rebuild her family and her community.”
That conviction led to the establishment of the Women’s Leadership Development Institute, a training and mentorship hub designed to nurture women into strong, self-aware leaders. The Institute focuses on transforming women at all stages of life through a three-level training model that blends leadership education with practical life skills.
At the first level, WLDI works with professional and career women, including those already occupying leadership or administrative positions but seeking growth, balance, and renewed confidence. Mrs. Antonio believes that leadership begins with personal transformation. “Many professional women face burnout because they carry multiple responsibilities at work and at home,” she explains. “Our training helps them rediscover balance, develop emotional intelligence, and strengthen their leadership capacity.”
The second level targets women in business and entrepreneurship. These are the women who, despite limited resources, are running shops, farms, and small enterprises across Ghana. “We want to highlight women who are already leading their own businesses,” she says. “They are the silent engines of our economy. With the right mentorship, they can scale their ventures, manage finances prudently, and create job opportunities for others.”
To Mrs. Antonio, however, the third level is the most crucial—the empowerment of grassroots women. These include market women, small-scale traders, and women in the informal sector. She describes them as “the backbone of the economy but also the most neglected.”
“From our research, many social challenges we face as a country stem from this group,” she notes. “Some of these women struggle to provide for their children, leading to issues like streetism and unstable families. Others fall repeatedly into unhealthy relationships because they lack self-awareness and support. When we empower them with knowledge, discipline, and self-leadership, we strengthen the very foundation of society.”
Beyond personal and economic empowerment, the Institute also pays attention to community wellbeing. WLDI has been active in mobilising women to address sanitation and health issues in local markets. “Women are central to community hygiene and food safety,” Mrs. Antonio explains. “By educating market women on health and sanitation, we create cleaner, safer spaces for everyone.”
Her work is not limited to adult women. Mrs. Antonio’s vision extends to youth leadership, particularly among young women. She believes that grooming must begin early if the nation hopes to produce visionary leaders. “Leadership should not start when people are old,” she insists. “It should begin with discipline, values, and mentorship from a young age. We must prepare the next generation now, not later.”
Through her work at WLDI, Mrs. Antonio continues to advocate for policies and social systems that recognise women’s contributions at all levels, from the marketplace to the boardroom. She often reminds participants that empowerment is not about competition with men but collaboration for societal growth.
Her life’s mission is deeply rooted in her belief that when women grow, the ripple effects are felt in every home and community. “When a woman grows, a family grows,” she says with a smile. “And when families grow, nations become stronger.”
She also believes that national development demands inclusive leadership. WLDI therefore seeks to build a database of trained women across various sectors, ready for leadership roles, appointments, board representation, and decision-making platforms. She is convinced that when women are empowered to lead in homes, communities, workplaces, and public spaces, the ripple effect is stronger families, better societies, and a progressive nation.
Mrs. Patience Antonio is a wife, mother, transformational speaker, leadership advocate, and mentor who has spent years championing the growth and holistic development of women and youth. Her vision has touched lives in homes, churches, institutions, and professional spaces. She is married with three children and loves reading.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
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