The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has clarified that references to sex within Ghana’s education system must strictly be based on biological identity at birth, insisting that there should be no ambiguity in how males and females are defined in instructional materials.
Speaking at a training programme in Tamale on the Ghanaian Youth Handbook and the rollout of the Guidance and Counselling (G&C) Framework, the Minister addressed public concerns surrounding content in some school manuals.
Mr. Iddrisu said every academic resource used in Ghana must clearly reflect biological sex.
“For our purposes, when we refer to a man, a woman or sex, we mean biological sex — the sex a person is born with. That position is settled,” he stated.
He explained that the policy aligns with Ghana’s social values and the moral framework expected within schools. According to him, learners must be educated in an environment that reinforces the country’s cultural identity.
“This reflects Ghanaian norms and values and how we want our children to grow and learn. The strength of our society depends on how well these values are upheld,” he added.
The Education Minister disclosed that his ministry has already corrected inconsistencies found in some materials and will ensure uniformity going forward.
“Every publication from the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service must respect the natural definition of sex and the natural meaning of man and woman,” he directed.
Mr. Iddrisu also tasked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) to take responsibility for the controversy and fix it without delay.
He said NaCCA has acknowledged that portions of the teacher manual did not reflect Ghanaian culture and norms, particularly the section on gender identity.
As part of corrective measures, the Minister ordered the recall of 736 printed copies of the Year Two Physical Education and Health (Elective) Teacher Manual for senior high schools and confirmed that a revised version has been uploaded online.
He cautioned teachers to rely on the updated digital version rather than old hard copies.
“The corrections are online, so no one should continue teaching from outdated printed materials,” he said.
Mr. Iddrisu reminded educators that Ghana’s curriculum is continuously updated and advised schools to use the official platform for current resources.
“All approved revisions will always be reflected on www.curriculumresources.edu.gh. That is where teachers can verify what is applicable and approved for instruction,” he noted.
The clarification follows nationwide debate over NaCCA’s teacher support manual, which was developed in 2024 to assist with the new Senior High School curriculum. Public criticism erupted after a definition of gender identity in the manual circulated online and was widely viewed as inconsistent with Ghanaian values.
NaCCA later withdrew the printed copies, apologised to the public, and released a revised version aligned with a biological interpretation of sex.
ALSO READ:
