NaCCA Withdraws SHS Teacher Manual Over Gender Identity Content, Releases Revised Version
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) has withdrawn printed copies of a Senior High School (SHS) teacher manual after admitting that certain content on “Gender Identity” did not align with Ghanaian culture, norms, and values.
The affected material was found in the Year 2 Physical Education and Health (Elective) Teacher Manual, a supplementary guide developed in 2024 to support teachers implementing the new SHS curriculum introduced last academic year.
NaCCA has since released a revised version of the manual, which it says reflects Ghana’s national values and a biological understanding consistent with the country’s socio-cultural context.
The decision follows public controversy and allegations by the Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, who accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda through teacher manuals and other teaching and learning materials (TLMs) in schools.
At the centre of the controversy was a specific definition related to gender identity contained in the manual. The issue sparked widespread debate, with concerns raised about the appropriateness of such content in Ghana’s pre-tertiary education system.
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In a statement issued on the same day, NaCCA clarified the distinction between the official SHS curriculum and supplementary teacher support materials. The council stressed that the approved SHS curriculum contains no LGBTQ-related content and that teacher manuals are optional resources designed to guide educators in lesson delivery.
“The Government of Ghana has no intention to promote, endorse, or introduce LGBTQ content at any level of the educational system,” NaCCA stated. “Our curriculum remains firmly anchored in the socio-cultural fabric of Ghana, constitutional principles, and child-centred development goals.”
NaCCA further confirmed that steps are being taken to remove the earlier version of the manual from circulation. Going forward, the council said all updates to such materials will be made available digitally to allow for timely review and corrections where necessary.
The council also urged the public and education stakeholders to base discussions on verified facts and reliable information, reaffirming its commitment to transparency, responsiveness, and the provision of educational resources that reflect Ghana’s national values.
Director-General of NaCCA, Professor Samuel O. Ofori-Bekoe, emphasised the council’s dedication to delivering a high-quality education system that remains aligned with Ghana’s cultural identity and constitutional principles.
See NaCCA statement below:
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