The Ministry of Education has rejected claims that the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, authorised a Senior High School (SHS) teacher manual containing definitions of gender identity said to be inconsistent with Ghanaian values.

In a press statement issued on Saturday, January 17, the Ministry described as false a publication by the Centre for Democratic Movement, which alleged that Mr Iddrisu approved the Physical Education and Health (Elective) Teacher Manual for SHS Year Two in 2024.

“The Ministry states unequivocally that this allegation is false and entirely without basis,” the statement said.

The Ministry explained that the processes that led to the development of the manual began several years before Mr Iddrisu assumed office as Education Minister.

According to the statement, in 2021, the Ministry entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Transforming Teaching, Education and Learning (T-TEL) to provide technical advisory services, project management, research and implementation support to improve teaching and learning outcomes nationwide.

“The curriculum development process began in 2021 and was led by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) with support from T-TEL,” the Ministry said.

It added that the process involved a wide range of Ghanaian experts drawn from secondary schools, Colleges of Education, industry and universities.

“A rigorous process was used to identify and select over 300 Ghanaian professionals to write the curriculum and accompanying resources, including teacher manuals, learner materials and PLC handbooks,” the statement noted.

The Ministry said the process included extensive stakeholder engagement before and during the writing stage, as well as during trial phases.

It said that the development and production of the Physical Education and Health teacher manual took place before Mr Iddrisu’s appointment.

“The development and production of this manual predate the appointment of Hon. Haruna Iddrisu as Minister for Education. He therefore had no oversight of the said material produced,” the statement said.

Clarifying Mr Iddrisu’s direct involvement since assuming office, the Ministry stated that the only official documents produced under his leadership are the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) handbooks.

“The PLC handbooks provide a structured platform for teachers to meet regularly to share best practices and improve subject-specific teaching and learning outcomes,” the Ministry explained, adding that “the PLC handbook contains no ambiguity regarding the definition of gender.”

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to Ghana’s educational values and urged the public to be cautious about unverified claims.

“The Ministry remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to national educational policies and values,” the statement said.

Read the full statement below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS STATEMENT
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION CLARIFIES PUBLICATION ATTRIBUTED TO HON. HARUNA IDDRISU

1. The Ministry of Education has taken note of a publication by the Centre for Democratic Movement alleging that the Honourable Minister for Education, Hon Haruna Iddrisu, authorised the Physical Education and Health (Elective) Teacher Manual for SHS Year Two in 2024, which contains a definition of gender identity that is not reflective of Ghanaian norms and values.
2. The Ministry states unequivocally that this allegation is false and entirely without basis..
3. In 2021 the Ministry of Education entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Transforming Teaching, Education and Learning (T-TEL) to provide technical advisory services, project management, research, and implementation support aimed at strengthening teaching and learning outcomes nationwide.
4. ⁠The curriculum development process began in 2021 led by National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) with support from Transforming Teaching, Education & Learning (T-TEL). A rigorous process was used to identify and select over 300 Ghanaian professionals from secondary schools, Colleges of Education, industry and universities to write the curriculum and accompanying resources i.e Teacher Manuals, Learner Materials and PLC Handbooks. The curriculum development process involved extensive stakeholder engagements before and during the writing and the trial phases.
5. The development and production of this manual predate the appointment of Hon. Haruna Iddrisu as Minister for Education. He therefore had no oversight of the said material produced.
6. ⁠Furthermore, the only official document produced under the direct leadership of Hon. Haruna Iddrisu since assuming office is the Professional Learning Communities (PL) handbooks, which provides a structured platform for teachers to meet regularly to share best practices and improve subject-specific teaching and learning outcomes. The PLC handbook contains no ambiguity regarding the definition of gender.
7. The Ministry remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to national educational policies and values. We urge the public and media organisations to verify information thoroughly before publication to prevent misinformation and unnecessary public concern.

Signed,
Hashmin Mohammed
Press Secretary to the Hon. Minister for Education