On 8 October 2026, Universal Merchant Bank (UMB) handed a brand‑new 4×4 pick‑up to Hammond Agyen of Manhean Anglican ‘D’ Primary School in Tema, the first runner‑up in the Teacher category of the 2026 Ghana Teacher Prize. The award was presented at the ceremony held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, organised by the Ministry of Education through the National Teaching Council to mark World Teachers’ Day under the theme “Empowering Teachers: Architects of the Future.”
The event was graced by Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku‑Agyemang, who praised teachers for their contribution to education and national development and congratulated the award recipients. UMB’s Head of Corporate Communications, Edem Knight‑Tay, announced the gift on behalf of the bank amid cheers from the crowd.
UMB has long supported the Ghana Teacher Prize, seeing the teaching profession as a core expression of the bank’s values of reliability and commitment. “Reliability is not simply about being present; it is about being consistently present when you are needed,” Knight‑Tay said. He added that teachers, who “show up, teach, guide, encourage, and invest in the lives of their learners,” embody the same spirit that UMB has championed since 1972.
Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu also expressed gratitude to UMB for its sponsorship during the presentation. For Agyen, the recognition was a milestone in his career. “I feel very honoured and humbled to receive this award,” he said. “It encourages me to keep doing my best for my students and the community.”
The presentation coincided with the final day of GNAT Week 2026, underscoring UMB’s ongoing engagement with the Ghana National Association of Teachers and its broader commitment to institutions that drive Ghana’s social and economic development. UMB’s sponsorship of the Ghana Teacher Prize is described as an expression of the bank’s belief that those who consistently contribute to others deserve to be seen, celebrated and supported.
