Portia Dzifa Dzilah, a teacher at Pakro Anglican Basic School in the Eastern Region of Ghana, has made history as the first Ghanaian to win a regional title in the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards. The award is organized by Cambridge University Press and Assessment and honors outstanding teachers in Sub-Saharan Africa and around the world.
Portia was selected as one of nine global regional winners for her exceptional commitment to educating and supporting young people in her community. This is the first time a Ghanaian teacher has been recognized since the award was launched seven years ago.
As part of her prize, Portia will receive £500 worth of books for her students, a trophy, and a chance to take part in a regional awards ceremony. Her work will also be highlighted publicly throughout the year, and her name will appear on the “Thank You” page in new Cambridge textbooks set to be released in November 2025.
Pakro, where Portia teaches, is a rural farming community that faces several challenges, including student truancy, teenage pregnancy, and low school enrollment—especially among girls.
As a subject teacher, Portia has gone beyond the classroom to support her students. She has mentored girls through health and hygiene initiatives and founded a gender club at her school to empower young girls and give them hope for a better future.
Reacting to her win, she said, “This award is not just for me. It’s for the children of Pakro, and for every girl who’s ever been told her dreams are impossible. I became a teacher to change lives, not just teach lessons.”
She emphasized that education is a lifeline and that she will continue fighting to make sure every child has access to it. “When we invest in our children, we invest in our future,” she said.
Rod Smith, Managing Director of International Education at Cambridge, praised Portia and the other winners. “These teachers go above and beyond—not for awards—but because they truly believe in the power of education to change lives,” he said.
He also noted that while technology like artificial intelligence is getting a lot of attention, it cannot replace the human touch that teachers bring. “Teachers like Portia bring empathy, creativity, and inspiration—qualities no machine can offer,” he added.
Smith concluded by congratulating Portia and expressing hope that her achievement would inspire educators and students throughout Ghana.
