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