The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has called for a thorough review and audit of curriculum development processes following the inclusion of LGBTQ-related content in a Year Two Senior High School Physical Education and Health teacher’s manual, describing the incident as intentional and deeply troubling.
In a press statement issued on Friday, January 16, 2026, the Bishops stressed that education in Ghana must reflect the nation’s cultural, moral, and constitutional values. They argued that the content in question was inconsistent with Ghana’s cultural, biological, and moral understanding of the human person.
According to the Conference, a comprehensive audit of curriculum development and editorial procedures is necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“We call for a comprehensive review of curriculum development and editorial processes, with particular attention to transparency, accountability, and value alignment,” the statement said.
While welcoming the clarification by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) that the approved national curriculum does not contain LGBTQ-related lessons, the Bishops commended the Council for withdrawing the manual and issuing a revised version aligned with national norms and values.
However, the Conference maintained that the incident exposed deeper systemic weaknesses in oversight, consultation, and value alignment within the curriculum development process, warning that public confidence in education depends on transparency and accountability.
The Bishops also acknowledged the advocacy of Professor Godfred A. Bokpin and Mr. Moses Foh-Amoaning, noting that their calls for an apology and an independent review echoed widespread public concerns about safeguarding Ghana’s cultural heritage and moral integrity in education policy.
The GCBC announced that it has prepared a position paper on the issue, which will be submitted to the Government, NaCCA, the Ministry of Education, and the Ghana Education Service, aimed at promoting constructive engagement, institutional reform, and rebuilding trust between families, schools, and the state.
Additionally, the Bishops proposed regular stakeholder consultations involving parents, teachers, religious bodies, traditional authorities, and education experts, as well as the creation of ethical oversight committees to review educational materials addressing sensitive topics such as identity, relationships, and sexuality.
Reaffirming their commitment to the moral and intellectual integrity of Ghana’s education system, the Bishops emphasized that education must go beyond academic instruction to the formation of upright citizens guided by conscience and dedicated to the common good.
The statement was signed by the Bishop of Sunyani and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi. NaCCA has since confirmed the recall of the printed manuals and assured the public that corrective measures are underway to ensure future materials reflect Ghanaian cultural values.
