The International Education group at Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Cambridge) has announced that English teacher Portia Dzifa Dzilah from Pakro Anglican Basic School in the Akuapim South District of Ghana has been named the global winner of the 2025 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards.
In a competitive field with eight other regional winners from around the world, Portia secured 33 percent of the public vote, making her the overall winner—marking the first time a teacher from Ghana has received this honor.
This competition recognizes the significant role teachers play in shaping the lives of their students and preparing them for future challenges. Pakro, a remote farming community, faces issues such as high pupil absenteeism and teenage pregnancy. Portia is committed to transforming the lives of her students and was nominated for her initiatives, including food and sanitary product drives, establishing a Gender Club, and encouraging her students, particularly girls, to pursue full-time education.
Celebration of Winners
Portia was pleasantly surprised by her achievement when she received a video call from Rod Smith, Group Managing Director of International Education. Initially believing she was accepting her trophy for winning the Sub-Saharan Africa regional award, Portia was informed that she had also won the global vote. Cambridge representatives, along with local education partner NNF Esquire, visited Portia's school to present her with the global award and £500 worth of books from the Cambridge-NNF Essential range. They were joined by Ms. Elizabeth Afriyie, Municipal Director of Education, and Md. Joyce Anim, Deputy Director of Education for Akuapim South, as well as the entire Pakro community, who came together to celebrate Portia's achievement.
Upon receiving her award, Portia expressed her gratitude, stating, "First and foremost, I want to thank my students; they are my greatest inspiration. Their strength, curiosity, and determination remind me every day why I teach. I believe in the potential of every child and that education can break cycles and open doors. I have dedicated my life to nurturing that belief in my students, and this recognition renews my commitment even more deeply. To every girl who has walked into my classroom when it would have been easier to stay home, and to every parent who has dared to hope for more for their child, this is for you! Let us continue to build a world where education truly transforms lives. Thank you to Cambridge for providing me with this platform."
Rod Smith, Group Managing Director of International Education, remarked, "Sometimes, we encounter teachers whose dedication extends far beyond the job description, making it difficult to comprehend how they find time for anything else. Some educators are inherently destined to teach; their passion is so profound and instinctive that it becomes a way of life. Portia’s unwavering belief in the transformative power of education is both inspiring and deeply moving. She imparts not only knowledge to her students but also hope, encouragement, and a vision for their futures."
As part of her overall prize, Portia will have the opportunity to participate in a course of her choice from Cambridge's Enrichment Professional Development program. Additionally, she will be featured as the overall winner on a Thank You page at the front of a new range of Cambridge textbooks, set to be available to the public in November 2025, and will appear in Cambridge promotional materials throughout the year.
Now in its seventh year, the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards provides students, parents, and colleagues with the opportunity to nominate a current primary or secondary teacher for their outstanding commitment to student education.
To learn more about Portia and view videos documenting her win, please visit dedicatedteacher.cambridge.org/winner.
About Cambridge
Cambridge University Press & Assessment is affiliated with the University of Cambridge. Our International Education group collaborates with schools worldwide to cultivate an education that fosters knowledge, understanding, and skills. Together, we empower learners with the confidence they need to thrive and positively impact a changing world. We offer a globally trusted and adaptable educational framework for learners aged 3 to 19 (the Cambridge Pathway), informed by research, experience, and feedback from educators.
With recognized qualifications (such as Cambridge IGCSE, International AS & A Levels, and the AICE Diploma), high-quality resources, comprehensive support, and valuable insights, we assist schools in preparing every student for future opportunities and challenges. Together, we ensure that Cambridge learners are ready for the world. For more information, please visit cambridgeinternational.org.
Cambridge also publishes materials for various local curricula, including the NaCCA-Approved Essential series in Ghana. For further details, please visit cambridge.org/gh/education.