Event Summary
On 13 January 2026, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) became the subject of intense public scrutiny following concerns raised by the Member of Parliament for Assin South and former Deputy Minister of Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour. He alleged that concepts related to LGBTQI+ had been introduced into Ghana’s second-cycle education system through a Senior High School Physical Education and Health teachers’ manual. Specifically, the manual’s definition of gender identity was perceived by sections of the public as inconsistent with Ghana’s approved curriculum and as promoting LGBTQI+ content in schools.
The allegations triggered widespread public debate and criticism, with Rev. Ntim Fordjour accusing the government and relevant education authorities of quietly inserting sensitive content without proper approval. Other prominent voices, including Professor Godfred A. Bokpin and Mr. Moses Foh-Amoaning, amplified these concerns by pointing to apparent discrepancies between the officially approved curriculum and the teachers’ manual. They called for transparency, accountability and corrective action from NaCCA and the Ministry of Education.
In response to the backlash, the NaCCA withdrew the contested manual and issued a public apology. The Board Chairman, Professor Vincent Assanful, acknowledged that the inclusion of the disputed content was an oversight and announced the recall of all hard copies to allow for a comprehensive review. While the swift response helped to de-escalate immediate tensions, the incident highlights growing sensitivities around curriculum content and public discourse on LGBTQI+ issues. It also raises concerns about the potential chilling effect on open dialogue, academic discussion and freedom of association, particularly where engagement on contested social issues may be increasingly constrained by political and societal pressure.