The Ministry of Education has firmly denied allegations that the Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, authorised a Senior High School (SHS) Teacher Manual containing content on gender identity that allegedly conflicts with Ghanaian norms and values.
The clarification follows a publication by the Centre for Democratic Movement, which claimed that Hon. Iddrisu approved the Physical Education and Health (Elective) Teacher Manual for SHS Year Two in 2024.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry described the allegation as “false and entirely without basis,” stressing that the material in question was developed long before Hon. Haruna Iddrisu assumed office as Minister for Education.
According to the Ministry, the curriculum development process began in 2021 under the leadership of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), with technical support from Transforming Teaching, Education and Learning (T-TEL), following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry and T-TEL.
The process, the statement noted, involved a rigorous and inclusive approach, engaging more than 300 Ghanaian professionals drawn from secondary schools, Colleges of Education, universities and industry. Extensive stakeholder consultations were also conducted during the writing and trial phases of the curriculum and its accompanying materials, including Teacher Manuals and Learner Resources.
The Ministry emphasised that the Physical Education and Health Teacher Manual was completed prior to Hon. Haruna Iddrisu’s appointment, and as such, he had no oversight or authorisation role in its production.
It further clarified that the only official documents produced under the direct leadership of the current Minister are the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) handbooks, which are designed to support teachers through structured collaboration and the sharing of best practices.
The PLC handbooks, the Ministry stressed, contain no ambiguity regarding the definition of gender.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability and adherence to national educational policies and values, the Ministry urged the public and media organisations to verify information thoroughly before publication to avoid misinformation and unnecessary public anxiety.
The statement was signed by Hashmin Mohammed, Press Secretary to the Minister for Education.