The Minority in Parliament has called for the immediate withdrawal of all teaching and learning materials in schools that contain LGBTQ-related content, including what it describes as redefined concepts of sex, sexuality, sexual orientation, sexual rights and gender identity.
The call follows allegations by the Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, that the government is promoting an LGBTQ agenda through teacher manuals and other instructional materials currently in use in Ghanaian schools.
Addressing journalists on Thursday, January 15, the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, who spoke on behalf of the Minority caucus, said the concerns raised go beyond politics and touch on constitutional governance, public accountability and the protection of Ghanaian values.
He outlined a series of demands, beginning with what he described as a transparent and inclusive review of all affected teaching and learning materials. According to him, such a review must involve Parliament, religious bodies, traditional authorities, parents, civil society organisations, education experts and teacher unions.
The Minority also called for the immediate dismissal of the Director-General of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) and the Chairperson of the NaCCA Board, accusing them of failing in their oversight responsibilities and breaching public trust.
In addition, the caucus is demanding a full parliamentary inquiry by the appropriate committee of the House into how the materials were developed, approved, funded and circulated, including the role played by external partners.
Mr. Assafuah further urged the wider Christian community, religious bodies, civil society groups, parents, traditional leaders, teacher unions and what he termed “well-meaning Ghanaians” to speak up on the issue.
“We demand consistency, accountability and legislative integrity from a government that spoke with moral certainty in opposition but has become hesitant, evasive and procedurally selective in power,” he said.
He challenged the NDC government to state clearly, both on the floor of Parliament and to the Ghanaian people, its position on the matter, reiterating the call for the dismissal of the NaCCA Director-General and Board Chair for what he described as a failure of oversight.
In response to the controversy, NaCCA announced the withdrawal of printed copies of the Year Two Physical Education and Health (Elective) Teacher Manual, after admitting that sections dealing with “gender identity” did not align with Ghanaian culture, norms and values.
The Council has since released a revised version of the manual, which it says better reflects national values and adopts a biological approach to the subject.
The development has reignited a broader national debate on curriculum oversight and the role of NaCCA in balancing societal values with global educational standards.
