He also underscored the importance of quality assurance in pre-tertiary education delivery, as outlined in the Education Regulatory Bodies Act of 2020.

Mr Iddrisu made these remarks during the swearing-in ceremony of the Governing Boards of NaSIA and NaCCA, held in Accra.

The 11-member NaSIA Governing Board include Dr Maabobor Kor Jacob Aaworb-Nang as Chairman, Dr Monique Armstrong-Baidoo (Practitioner nominated by the Minister), Dr Christian Addai Poku (representative of the National Teaching Council), Prof. Samuel Ofori Obuobisah Bekoe (representative of the NaCCA, Obenfo Nana Kwasi Gyetuah (representative of the Associations of Private Schools), Divine Worlanyo Agbenyo and (representative of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC)).

The rest are Michael Akanvibe Ayuraboya (representative of the teacher associations), Emilia Affi Agbenyo (representative of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Service), Dr Issahaque Munawaru (representative of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Jennifer Tachi (one female educationist nominated by the minister) and Prof. Tahiru Salifu Azeko (The Inspector-General of Schools).

On the other hand, the nine-member NaCCA Board include Prof. Vincent Assanful (Chairman), Dr Sulemana Iddrisu (representative of the National Teaching Council), Prof. Augustine Ocloo (representative of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission), Prof. Azeko Tahiru Salifu (representative of the NaSIA), and Comfort Ashiagbor (representative of the Ministry responsible for Education).

Others are Prof. Ernest Kofi Davies (representative of the GES), Leonard Attivor (representative of the WAEC), Ernesticia Lartey Asuinura (representative of the Ghana Book Development Council) and Prof. Samuel Ofori Obuobisah Bekoe (Director of NaCCA).

Mr Iddrisu, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, emphasised the importance of school inspections, particularly due to recent troubling incidents where students had reportedly accessed weapons in schools.

He described it as a failure of school management, inspection systems and possibly parenting, though also partly due to deviant student behaviour.

He stressed that such occurrences were not part of Ghanaian values and are unacceptable, therefore, teachers must have the authority to manage student behaviour, with full cooperation from parents to maintain discipline.

To ensure school safety, he urged the Chair of the Councils to carry out random school inspections to prevent such dangerous situations and protect all students.

"Your key functions, as I understand, include school inspection, land census monitoring and evaluation and school ownership transitions," he said. 

Mr Iddrisu expressed concern about the growing issue of students using phones to cheat during examinations, adding that though not yet widespread, there was the need to address it early.

He called for strict enforcement of the existing ban on student phone use, particularly in exam settings and tasked NaSIA with ensuring compliance. 

He questioned whether even examiners and supervisors should be allowed to use phones during exams, suggesting their involvement in some cheating incidents.

Though he acknowledged that phones might sometimes be needed for logistical reasons, he emphasised that any use must be strictly regulated to protect exam integrity.

The minister emphasised the importance of a standards-based curriculum for basic schools, highlighting an upcoming review of the kindergarten and primary curriculum.

Additionally, he emphasised the importance of strengthening science, technology, mathematics, engineering (STEM), and TVET—including Green TVET — with a focus on skills development. 

The Chairmen of the two institutions, Dr Aaworb-Nang and Prof. Assanful, expressed their appreciation to President Mahama and the Minister of Education for the opportunity to serve the nation.

They pledged their commitment to collaborate with all stakeholders to promote and ensure quality education across the country.