The Member of Parliament for Effia, Isaac Yaw Boamah-Nyarko, has questioned the government’s handling of a controversial senior high school teacher manual, accusing authorities of failing to take a clear position on the anti-LGBTQ bill and calling for accountability at the highest levels of the education sector.
Boamah-Nyarko says the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) had been expected to move swiftly on the bill after coming to power, given its strong advocacy while in opposition.
He cited conflicting signals from the executive and parliament over whether the bill should be reintroduced as a government measure or remain a private member’s bill.
“One year down the line, we are still discussing this to the extent that the government has not given us a firm position,” Boamah-Nyarko said on Asaase Radio’s The Forum programme on Saturday (17 January).
Delay
The MP linked the delay to the emergence of a NaCCA teacher manual that has sparked public backlash over references critics say could influence children’s understanding of sexuality. He said the issue had deeply concerned Christian and Muslim leaders as well as parents.
“We don’t want teachings that would compromise our children as to who they are when it comes to their sexuality,” he said, describing the matter as one that required “sober reflection”.
Boamah-Nyarko rejected suggestions that the controversy was the result of an oversight, arguing that the sensitivity of the subject meant those responsible should have exercised extreme caution.
“I believe the producers of the manual were very intentional,” he said, adding that the content appeared to have been “smuggled in” to avoid early scrutiny.
Sole responsibility
While some critics have called for the removal of the NaCCA chief executive, the MP said responsibility ultimately lay with the education minister, as the matter involved government policy.
“It is actually the minister of education who should take responsibility for this,” he said, calling on President John Dramani Mahama to demand accountability.
He added that this need not necessarily result in dismissals but should include a public statement condemning lapses in supervision and sanctions for those found culpable.
Such action, he said, would send a signal that public officials entrusted with sensitive responsibilities would be held to account if they failed to perform their duties.
Meanwhile, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, has called for strict accountability following the release of a controversial teacher manual by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), which included content on LGBTQ issues.
Speaking on The Forum on Asaase Radio on Saturday (17 January), Assafuah said the NaCCA CEO’s apology is insufficient given the financial and policy implications of the manual.
“If you espouse tendencies of incompetency and, as a CEO, you are using state money to print a manual that includes LGBTQ tendencies against policy directives, and you share it across the country, you have caused financial loss,” he said.
Accountability
Assafuah called for heads to roll and urged the Attorney General to ensure that those responsible for the printing and distribution of the manual are held accountable.
He added that it is possible some officials, including Minister Haruna Iddrisu, may not have fully reviewed the document before signing, but stressed that in the absence of such considerations, full accountability must be enforced.
“The financial implications would have to be answered by the NaCCA boss. The Attorney General must make sure the NaCCA CEO and those found culpable are brought to book. We cannot let this slide,” Assafuah said.
