Catholic Bishops in Ghana Demand Audit of Curriculum Process as LGBTQ Content Found in Teachers’ Manual

Accra, 18 January, 2026 / 8:01 PM

Members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference (GCBC) have called for a comprehensive review and an audit of the country’s curriculum development process following the circulation of a Senior High School teacher’s manual that contained LGBTQ-related definitions and concepts viewed as inconsistent with Ghana’s cultural and moral values.

In a press release issued January 16, GCBC members say their reaction is driven by “deep pastoral concern for the moral, cultural, and spiritual formation of our children and young people,” emphasizing that education must promote the full development of the human person while respecting parental authority and Ghana’s cultural identity.

“Recent public concern has arisen following the circulation of a Year 2 Senior High School Physical Education and Health Teacher's Manual containing definitions and concepts inconsistent with Ghana's cultural, biological, and moral understanding of the human person,” the Catholic Bishops say.

They note that the development caused “understandable anxiety among parents, educators, and citizens who perceived a threat to traditional conceptions of family, personhood, and moral formation.”

“We call for a comprehensive review of curriculum development and editorial processes, with particular attention to transparency, accountability, and value alignment,” GCBC members say.

While welcoming the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment's (NaCCA) decision to withdraw the material and issue a revised manual, the Catholic Church leaders insist that the episode revealed problems that require urgent attention.

“Nevertheless, we remain convinced that this incident reveals deeper weaknesses in oversight, consultation, and value alignment within curriculum development processes,” Catholic Bishops in Ghana say, adding that “Public trust in education depends on transparency, accountability, and fidelity to constitutional and moral principles.”

They urge NaCCA and the Ministry of Education to conduct an audit to determine how unauthorized content entered teacher materials and to strengthen safeguards against future lapses.

GCBC members further call for the institutionalisation of regular stakeholder dialogue involving parent associations, teacher unions, religious and traditional leaders, and education experts.

The Catholic Bishops say that capacity- building programmes for educators and curriculum developers should emphasise Ghanaian cultural and moral values alongside academic excellence.

They propose the establishment of ethical oversight committees, composed of educators, theologians, and cultural experts, to vet materials dealing with personal identity, relationships, and sexuality.

The Bishops also call for stronger parental involvement through clear channels for reviewing sensitive materials and offering meaningful input.

They propose “open, timely, and consistent communication by education authorities to address concerns promptly and foster public trust.”

The Catholic Bishops further say they have prepared a position paper on the matter, which will be formally submitted to the Government, NaCCA, the Ministry of Education, and the Ghana Education Service.

“Our intention is constructive engagement, institutional reform, and the strengthening of trust between families, schools, and the state,” the Catholic Church leaders emphasize.

Reaffirming their core convictions, the Catholic Bishops underscore the primacy of parents as the first educators of their children, the need for age-appropriate learning, and the importance of subsidiarity in education governance.

They emphasize that curriculum content must reflect Ghana’s cultural and religious values and that curriculum development should be inclusive and democratically accountable.

Describing education as a “sacred trust,” GCBC members say it should form upright citizens guided by conscience, truth, and commitment to the common good. 

“Education is not merely about producing skilled workers; it is about forming upright citizens, guided by conscience, rooted in truth, and committed to the common good,” the Catholic Bishops say.

They note that Ghana's “enduring strength lies in her reverence for God, her respect for family, and her devotion to community. These values must continue to shape what our children learn and how they learn it.”

GCBC members call upon parents, teachers, policymakers, and religious leaders to “stand with us in safeguarding the soul of Ghanaian education.”

“Let our schools remain places where knowledge and virtue walk hand in hand, where truth is sought without fear, and where the values that unite us as Ghanaians are faithfully handed on to the next generation,” Catholic Bishops in Ghana say.