Commitment: that’s one quality that sets you apart from many of your contemporaries.

Alhaji Gbadamosi, you were born at Wa, the capital of the Upper West Region of Ghana on January 15, 1937. After your early education at Wa and Tamale you proceeded to Mfamtsipim School, Cape Coast for the Higher School Certificate Course. Between 1958 and 1961, you attended the University of Ghana, Legon from where you obtained a B.Sc (Honours) in Physics. You followed it up with an M.A in Education at the University of Toronto in Canada.

Your career pattern is also a study in commitment to the cause of education. At different stages of your career, you were either a teacher, opening up growing minds to the knowledge of physics and mathematics or an administrator steering the course of your country’s education policies. After years of successful teaching and school administration at various locations, you were appointed Northern Regional Director of Education, a position you held between 1980 and 1986. During your tenure as Regional Director, you went to great lengths to facilitate the work of council in your area of operation. You mobilized great support among the staff of the education ministry under your charge as well as teachers and head teachers, for the successful implementation of the Council’s programmes. Council recalls with appreciation, the fact that you were instrumental in getting the Tamale branch office opened. You provided the council with a temporary place within the premises of the Ghana Education Service for the take-off of our operations pending the erection of a permanent office structure in Tamale.

In 1991, you were promoted Director-General, Ghana Education Service, by virtue of which position you became Chairman of Ghana National Committee of the Council. That position offered you the platform needed to demonstrate one more time your profound and unalloyed commitment to the development of education. Your Chairmanship, marked by strong leadership, winning wit and vibrant team spirit, witnessed a remarkable boost in virtually all areas of Council’s work in Ghana.

In the area of physical development, it is on record that it was under your leadership that the branch office in Sunyani, complete with an examination hall was erected. Approval and considerable support of the construction of the spacious examination hall on switchback road in Accra were given by your Committee. The ample Kumasi office and its four examination halls with a combined sitting capacity of 2,400 were built. Other projects initiated by your committee included the official bungalow for the Head of National office at the Airport Residential Area and the Headquarters Office Complex.

As Chairman, you provided the impetus and encouragement for the council to acquire its first Mainframe Computer and additional Optical Mark Readers to usher the Council into the technological era and thereby enhance its operations and service delivery. The council also remembers that it was during your Chairmanship that the Council in Ghana carried out the Change-over from General Certificate of Education examination system to the Senior Secondary School Certificate system. Your positive approach to issues, commitment to success and solid grounding in educational matters particularly, Educational Measurement and Continuous assessment went a long way in helping the Council to resolve a lot of knotty issues regarding the scheme and structure of the new examination.

In the area of staff welfare, your tenure is credited with the introduction of several progressive schemes that have been of immense benefit to staff. The restoration of the staff provident fund, the introduction of the staff housing loan scheme as well as the Vehicle Ownership Scheme were a few of the forward-looking policies put in place during your tenure.

Alhaji Gbadamosi, it is for all these and several other contributions you made towards the achievement of objectives of the Council that you are being honoured today as a "Distinguished Friend of the Council".

Congratulations!!!