A member of parliament of the New Patriotic Party has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and former president John Dramani Mahama of seeking to introduce LGBTQ-related content into Ghana’s education system, amid growing controversy over a senior high school teaching manual.
Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, made the allegation during an appearance on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday.
He said recent developments surrounding curriculum reforms had led him to believe there was a deliberate attempt by the government to influence teaching content in a way that conflicted with Ghanaian cultural values.
“I can have that rebuttable presumption and conclusion that the NDC led by John Dramani Mahama is actually interested in introducing the tendencies of LGBTQ in our curriculum,” Mr Assafuah said.
His comments come after intense public debate over sections of a teacher training manual linked to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), which referenced issues of gender identity.
The issue has sparked backlash from parents, religious groups, and political figures, with the minority in Parliament calling for the removal of NaCCA’s chief executive and board chairman.
Mr Assafuah urged greater transparency and wider public consultation on curriculum changes, arguing that education policy must reflect societal values and parental concerns.
NaCCA has since acknowledged public concerns. Its chief executive has apologised and confirmed that the disputed content has been withdrawn from the manual.
The NDC has not publicly responded to Mr Assafuah’s allegations. The controversy highlights the sensitivity of LGBTQ-related issues in Ghana, where same-sex sexual activity is criminalised and public opinion remains largely opposed to its perceived promotion, particularly in schools.
