Regional Ministers and NCPTA Demand Higher Standards for School Infrastructure and Professional Conduct

Ghanaian educational stakeholders, led by regional ministers and the National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (NCPTA), are intensifying efforts to improve school infrastructure, teacher conduct, and parental involvement. As the administration under President John Mahama continues to prioritize educational development, regional leaders are exercising stricter oversight on government-funded projects and school safety. From the Bono East Region to the Ashanti and Eastern Regions, officials are addressing critical gaps in construction quality and professional ethics to ensure a conducive learning environment for students.

In the Bono East Region, Minister Francis Owusu Antwi has taken a firm stance against substandard construction by rejecting a dining hall project at Kajaji Senior High School. During a recent inspection, the Minister identified shoddy workmanship, including crooked concrete beams and the use of non-standard blocks. While students currently eat in open spaces, Minister Antwi emphasized that his ministry would not certify the work until the contractor, Engineer Taufiq Modestus, rectifies the structural defects. Similarly, in the Ashanti Region, Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene clarified that a 12-unit classroom block at Mankranso would not be demolished as rumored. Instead, the facility will be re-engineered to integrate with a new "24-Hour Economy Market" project, allowing the school to retain its educational function while providing a nursery for market traders’ children.

Professional ethics and student safety have also taken center stage, with Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey issuing a stern warning to male teachers. Speaking at the Yilo Krobo Future Leaders Conference, she cautioned educators to refrain from sexual relations with female students, noting that such professional misconduct would result in severe legal consequences. The Minister also addressed the rising trend of teenage pregnancy and substance abuse, urging local authorities and parents to implement stricter discipline and protection protocols for the youth.

Complementing these administrative actions, the NCPTA has called on parents to take an active role in the transition of students to Senior High Schools (SHS) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. Felicity Ahafianyo, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCPTA-Ghana, emphasized during a zonal meeting in Ho that while the government provides tuition-free education, parents remain responsible for providing basic educational materials. She urged families and organizations to support vulnerable children, ensuring that the burden of basic supplies does not hinder access to the academic opportunities provided by the state.