The Ministry of Education has dismissed as false claims that the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, authorised a Senior High School Physical Education and Health (Elective) Teacher Manual containing a definition of gender identity said to be inconsistent with Ghanaian values.
In a press statement signed by Hashmin Mohammed, Press Secretary to the Minister for Education, the ministry said it had taken note of a publication by the Centre for Democratic Movement alleging that the manual for SHS Year Two, produced in 2024, was approved under the authority of the Minister.
“The Ministry states unequivocally that this allegation is false and entirely without basis,” the statement said.
According to the Ministry, the development of the curriculum and accompanying teaching materials began in 2021, long before Haruna Iddrisu’s appointment as Education Minister.
The process, it explained, was led by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) with support from Transforming Teaching, Education and Learning (T-TEL).
The statement noted that in 2021, the Ministry entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with T-TEL “to provide technical advisory services, project management, research, and implementation support aimed at strengthening teaching and learning outcomes nationwide.”
It added that more than 300 Ghanaian professionals drawn from secondary schools, Colleges of Education, industry and universities were selected to develop the curriculum and related materials.
“A rigorous process was used to identify and select over 300 Ghanaian professionals… to write the curriculum and accompanying resources,” the Ministry said, stressing that the process involved “extensive stakeholder engagements before and during the writing and the trial phases.”
The Ministry further clarified that the manual in question was produced before Mr Iddrisu assumed office, insisting that “he therefore had no oversight of the said material produced.”
It also pointed out that since taking office, the only official document developed under the Minister’s direct leadership is the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) handbooks.
“The only official document produced under the direct leadership of Hon. Haruna Iddrisu since assuming office is the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) handbooks,” the statement said, adding that the handbook “contains no ambiguity regarding the definition of gender.”
Reaffirming its position, the Ministry said it remains committed to “transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to national educational policies and values,” and urged the public and media organisations to verify information before publication “to prevent misinformation and unnecessary public concern.”
