The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, has dismissed allegations that LGBTQ-related content has been introduced into Ghana’s Senior High School (SHS) curriculum, insisting that no such material exists in the approved national curriculum.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, NaCCA described the claims as misleading and reaffirmed that Ghana’s national curriculum remains firmly rooted in the country’s socio-cultural values, constitutional principles and child-centred development goals.
NaCCA explained that the controversy stems from a misunderstanding between the national curriculum and Teacher Manuals, stressing that the two serve different purposes. While the curriculum is the official policy document outlining mandatory areas of study for learners, Teacher Manuals are optional support materials designed to provide pedagogical guidance to teachers.
“The manuals do not constitute the curriculum itself and teachers can effectively deliver the approved curriculum without relying on these specific guides,” the statement said.
Background and Review Process
According to NaCCA, a new SHS curriculum was introduced in the 2024/2025 academic year. For the first time in Ghana’s education history, Teacher Manuals were developed alongside the curriculum to support teachers during implementation.
In 2024, NaCCA empanelled subject-specific writing teams, working with Transforming Teacher Education and Learning (T-TEL), to develop the manuals. Following an internal technical review, NaCCA identified that a specific definition of “gender identity” contained in the Year Two Physical Education and Health (Elective) Teacher Manual did not align with Ghanaian cultural norms and values.
As a result, the council revised the manual to reflect national values and a biological understanding consistent with Ghana’s context. The revised version has since been released and made publicly accessible online.
NaCCA further announced that steps are underway to withdraw printed copies of the earlier version of the manual, adding that all future revisions will be reflected exclusively in the digital versions hosted on the official curriculum resources portal.
Commitment to National Values
The Ministry of Education and NaCCA both stated unequivocally that the Government of Ghana has no intention of promoting, endorsing or introducing LGBTQ content at any level of the country’s educational system.
“Our curriculum remains firmly anchored in the socio-cultural fabric of Ghana,” the statement said, while expressing appreciation to the public for their vigilance and support in safeguarding national values within the education sector.
The statement was signed by Professor Samuel O. Ofori Bekoe on behalf of NaCCA.
Source:www.kumasimail.com
