Ghanaians Battle LGBT School Curriculum

The decision to teach children about the LGBT community in Ghanaian schools has caused outrage amongst parents and Christian groups.

The Comprehensive Sexuality Course, or CSE, is awaiting approval following a consultation with the relevant stakeholders in education, although early indicators do not look good for the programme.

The UNESCO-sponsored course would introduce children to sexual and reproductive health, with an emphasis on “values such as respect, inclusion, non-discrimination, [and] equality”.

The backlash has predominantly come from religious circles.  In an interview with local radio station Joy FM, Paul Yaw Frimpong-Manso, President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council labelled the programme a “comprehensive satanic engagement”.

Both government and UN officials have come out in defence of the programme, arguing that the CSE will help to “nurture positive attitudes, open-mindedness, respect for self and others”.  They have been at pains to underline the fact that the CSE does not explicitly include LGBT issues, nor does it encourage it, rather discusses the “rights of the individual to determine what they want to do”. 

Homosexuality is illegal in Ghana, a colonial-era law that has yet to be updated.  This, in conjunction with the country’s strong Christian belief system means that homophobia is all too common place.

This debate will only contribute to the anti-gay sentiment already felt.