Prof. Yayra Dzakadzie, appointed as NaCCA Director-General in June 2024 under the Akufo-Addo administration, has been dismissed by President Mahama. Read more on his career, achievements, and implications for Ghana’s education sector.
In a surprising move, President John Dramani Mahama has dismissed Prof. Yayra Dzakadzie from his role as Director-General of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA).
The decision, which took effect on May 5, 2025, comes less than a year after his appointment. As of this report, the government has not provided any official reason for his removal.
Appointment and Background
Prof. Dzakadzie was appointed to lead NaCCA on June 24, 2024, by the Akufo-Addo-led administration. His appointment was made in accordance with the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), which governs the functions of NaCCA as the agency responsible for curriculum development and assessment standards in Ghana’s pre-tertiary education system.
Before joining NaCCA, he served as Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) and also held the position of Director for Tertiary Education at the Ministry of Education. His extensive academic and policy experience made him a respected figure in the education sector.
Professional Profile
Prof. Yayra Dzakadzie is widely recognized for his expertise in educational outcome assessment, testing, measurement, evaluation, educational research, and statistics. He has lectured at various levels and contributed to research in both national and international contexts. His career spans decades of public service, curriculum policy development, and institutional capacity building.
Contributions to Education
During his short tenure at NaCCA, Prof. Dzakadzie worked on strengthening the standards-based curriculum, pushing for improved learning assessments, and promoting a data-driven approach to curriculum evaluation. He also championed stakeholder consultations aimed at ensuring curricula remain relevant to both local and global educational demands.
His leadership was marked by an emphasis on teacher training, learner-centered instruction, and inclusive education policies. Under his supervision, NaCCA also began revisiting the curriculum alignment between basic and secondary education to ensure a more seamless transition for learners.
Implications of His Dismissal
The dismissal of Prof. Dzakadzie raises questions about policy continuity in Ghana’s education sector, particularly given the pivotal role of NaCCA in implementing key curriculum reforms. Stakeholders now await a formal statement from the Presidency or the Ministry of Education clarifying the rationale behind the decision and outlining the way forward.
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