Accra, January 15, 2026 — A heated national debate has erupted over sexuality and gender content in Ghana’s education system, with the Minister of Education reinforcing that sex is strictly biological and the Minority in Parliament demanding the dismissal of senior curriculum authorities over controversial teaching materials.
Minister Clarifies Government Position on Sex Definitions
At a public forum in Tamale, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu moved to settle the increasingly polarised discussion over educational content, saying references to “sex” in educational materials must unambiguously reflect biological sex at birth, rejecting definitions based on identity. He directed all future publications from the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to uphold this biological framing and align school materials with Ghanaian cultural values and norms.
“Reference to a man, a woman, sex means reference to the biological sex and the sex of a person at birth, settled,” the Minister said, emphasising that ambiguity in instructional resources would not be tolerated.
The clarification comes amid public debate over a Senior High School (SHS) teacher manual that, before being withdrawn, included definitions of “gender identity” viewed by critics as inconsistent with Ghana’s traditional and cultural values.
Parliament Minority Demands Accountability at NaCCA
In Accra, the Minority caucus in Parliament on Thursday demanded the immediate dismissal of the Director-General and Board Chairman of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), accusing the leadership of gross negligence in allowing the disputed content to be developed, printed, and distributed.
Speaking to journalists, MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah said the controversy represents a serious breach of public trust and has caused unnecessary financial loss to the state due to the recall of the manuals. He argued that NaCCA’s leadership failed in its oversight responsibilities and must be held accountable.
The calls for dismissal add to wider political pressure that has seen other MPs and stakeholders question how material deemed contrary to national values ever passed review, especially given its nationwide distribution before withdrawal.
NaCCA Responds, Materials Revised and Withdrawn
NaCCA has acknowledged that certain gender identity content in the Year 2 Physical Education and Health (Elective) Teacher Manual did not align with Ghanaian norms and values. As a result, printed copies have been withdrawn and a revised edition published, which officials say reflects national values and a scientific understanding of biological sex.
The council has also stressed that teacher manuals are supplementary to the core national curriculum, which it says contains no LGBTQ-related content, and is optional for classroom use. NaCCA reinforced that the Government of Ghana has no intention of introducing or promoting LGBTQ content at any educational level.
Rising Public Debate
The curriculum dispute has ignited broader discussion on education policy, cultural identity, and the responsibilities of curriculum authorities. Analysts and civil society figures have called for greater transparency and stakeholder engagement in curriculum development to prevent similar controversies.
As Ghana navigates the fallout, political tensions surrounding the debate over sexuality, identity, and education continue to simmer, with both government officials and opposition lawmakers staking out firm positions ahead of potential further action in Parliament.
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