Meet the Winners of Africa Early Childhood Education Awards & EARLYFEST 2025

Over 2,000 children, educators, parents, and stakeholders gathered at Efua Sutherland Children’s Park on Saturday, November 22, 2025, for EARLYFEST 2025, an annual festival celebrating young talent and early childhood development. This year’s event carried the theme: “Discovering Gifts and Talents at Early Years.”

The park came alive with energy as children showcased their creativity through choreography, poetry recitals, drama presentations, Earlympics activities, talent exhibitions, and interactive learning corners. Thirty business vendors added to the vibrancy, reporting strong sales throughout the day.

Honouring Excellence: AECEA 2025

A highlight of the festival was the Africa Early Childhood Education Awards (AECEA) 2025, which recognize exceptional educators, caregivers, institutions, and advocates advancing early childhood development across Africa.

AECEA 2025 Winners

• Mavis Palesa Fugah (Ghana) — Nursery Teacher of the Year
• Gentile Mukandayisenga (Rwanda) — Caregiver of the Year
• Laurel Adaletey (Ghana) — Best Teacher, Upper Primary
• Mercy Karikari (Ghana) — Proprietress of the Year
• Gregoire Rucamumihigo (Rwanda) — Proprietor of the Year
• Mayllos Academy (Rwanda) — Outstanding Innovation in Education
• Muna Kalati (Ghana) — Excellence in Digital Learning and Education
• ADEPE (Rwanda) — NGO of the Year

Special Honors

• Peter Hillary Mainga (Kenya) — Promoting children’s rights and digital learning
• Dr. Hamisi Babulsa (Kenya) — Advancing Early Childhood Development
• David Lukoye (Kenya) — Child journalist advocating early childhood education
• Iddrissa Bangura (Sierra Leone) — Contributions to ECD through Kids Happiness Foundation

These awards celebrate the dedication and impact of individuals and organizations shaping the future of Africa’s youngest learners.

Festival Highlights

The program also featured a lively dance competition and sack race. Geraldine Hannah Kankam of Mount Olives School, Achimota (Basic 2), emerged as the overall dance winner, while Hagar Mohammed Seidu, a JHS 3 student from SATOC Academy, came second.

In his keynote, Otumfuo Owusu Ntiamoah, US Marine Corps Ambassador for Ghana, encouraged participants to embrace and promote Ghanaian culture through music, traditional clothing, and education, highlighting unity and cultural pride as key to nurturing confident young citizens.

Mrs. Mavis Leonards, CEO of Genescis and Executive Director of Mavis Inspires, emphasized the transformative impact of early mentorship and talent identification, calling for greater government investment in programs that identify gifted children in arts, science, innovation, and leadership.

Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), praised TERIA Foundation founder Mr. Walter Mawuli Gli, the visionary behind EARLYFEST:

“The indefatigable backbone of this remarkable initiative whose commitment, consistency, and perseverance have transformed a simple idea into a movement touching hundreds of young lives.”

Dr. Wemakor urged the audience to support initiatives like EARLYFEST, reminding attendees that leadership, creativity, innovation, and excellence begin in childhood—not adulthood. Addressing the children, he delivered a motivational message:

“Dear children, whatever dreams you have, never give up. Start small. Stay focused. Be committed. Be consistent. Persevere. And above all, work hard. If you do these things, success will surely follow you.”