The debate over sexuality education in Ghana’s Senior High Schools has intensified following a call by the Member of Parliament for Tafo, Vincent Assufuah, for parliamentary intervention into the approval of a revised Physical Education and Health Elective Teacher Manual.
In a press statement issued on January 15, 2026, the MP questioned the process through which the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) cleared the manual, arguing that it introduces new interpretations of sex, sexuality, gender identity, and related concepts without sufficient public or legislative scrutiny. He described the material as misaligned with what he considers Ghana’s long-held cultural, religious, and moral values.
Rather than focusing solely on the content, Mr Assufuah placed emphasis on governance and oversight, accusing NaCCA of acting beyond its mandate by circulating the manual without broad stakeholder engagement. He warned that the approach sidelines parents, faith-based institutions, and Parliament, which he said has a constitutional role in matters of national importance.
The MP also drew attention to what he sees as inconsistencies in parliamentary priorities, noting that while other bills have been rushed through the House under certificates of urgency, sexuality-related education policies have not received the same level of transparent debate. He cited the short-lived appearance of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill on Parliament’s Order Paper as an example of what he described as poor handling of sensitive national issues.
As part of his response, Mr Assufuah is demanding the suspension of the manual, a comprehensive review involving multiple stakeholders, and a parliamentary inquiry into how the materials were developed and funded. He further called for accountability at NaCCA, including sanctions against its leadership for what he termed failures in oversight.
Beyond Parliament, the Tafo MP appealed to religious leaders, civil society groups, and parents to closely examine the manual and actively engage the government on the direction of education policy.
He maintained that the issue transcends party politics, framing it instead as a test of institutional accountability and the values shaping Ghana’s education system, amid growing public debate over gender and sexuality instruction in schools.
