Bekwai MP rewards top BECE performers as academic results improve

Ralph Poku-Adusei, Member of Parliament for Bekwai, has honored the highest-performing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) students in his constituency through his School Starter-Pack Scholarship (SSPS) program. Designed to tackle declining academic results in Bekwai Municipality, the initiative provides merit-based support and rewards for the top students from public and private schools.

Five students were acknowledged as the overall best performers in the 2026 BECE. Miss Owusu Adwoa Serwaa of Dominase M/A JHS, who achieved an aggregate of 7, was designated the Overall Best Female Student from a public school. Master Yamoah Bordom Benjamin of Bekwai APS JHS, with an aggregate of 8, was recognized as the Overall Best Male Student from a public school.

Miss Appiah Kubi Annabella and Master Frimpong Owusu Emmanuel, both from Amazing Grace JHS and scoring an aggregate of 6, were named the Overall Best Female and Male Students from private schools, respectively. Master Kingsley Owusu of Dominase M/A JHS was also honored for being the Best Student with a disability (PWD).

The SSPS offers a laptop, Mackintosh mattress, plastic provibox, pillow and suitcase to each of the five overall winners. Additionally, the PWD beneficiary will receive a GH¢2,000-per-term educational scholarship for their Senior High School education. The program also provides a boarding starter pack, including a mattress, pillow, plastic provibox and suitcase, to the best graduating student from every public and private school in each community, as selected by the Bekwai Municipal Education Directorate.

Poku-Adusei explained that the SSPS aims to motivate students to excel academically and not as a conventional donation scheme. The program was launched alongside the reintroduction of the School Performance Appraisal Meeting (SPAM), which he funded across all ten educational circuits in the constituency. Stakeholder engagement in early 2025 revealed issues such as parental apathy, teacher motivation and supervision gaps, student indiscipline, inadequate teaching and learning materials, and limited academic competition as factors affecting educational outcomes.

The MP emphasized that improving education requires more than just infrastructure, highlighting the significance of motivation, accountability, and a supportive learning environment. He recently announced a Best Teacher Awards Scheme, currently in the finalization stage. A dedicated SSPS Board has been established to oversee the program, including its selection criteria, benefits and transparency measures.

Poku-Adusei expressed his desire for the initiative to endure beyond his tenure and attract support from individuals and corporate organizations to expand its reach. His long-term goal is to support beneficiaries through Senior High School and tertiary education, fostering the development of professionals who could contribute to the growth of the Bekwai constituency.