Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, recently revealed that a significant $51 million was allocated to several Ghanaian organizations in 2012 to support the development of a Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) curriculum as reported by Ghana Web on Saturday, October 26, 2024.
The funds, acquired under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, were aimed at advancing CSE in schools, with involvement from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and faith-based organizations (FBOs).
In an interview with GTV, NAPO disclosed that upon taking office as Education Minister, he discovered that the NDC, with Deputy Minister Okudzeto Ablakwa, had overseen the creation of a curriculum incorporating CSE.
He stated that “Between 2012 and 2016, before Nana Akufo-Addo came to office, $51 million had been signed and received by Ghana through the Ministry of Finance.”
This funding, according to NAPO, supported the efforts of both governmental and non-governmental stakeholders in promoting CSE nationwide.
NAPO shared that he presented his findings to the Council of State in 2019 amid public discussions on CSE.
According to him, evidence indicated that teachers had been trained on the new curriculum, and revisions were made to introduce lessons on alternative relationships.
He claimed, “I have evidence here…GNAT was invited…people who attended and signed,” emphasizing that FBOs and other groups involved were fully informed of the curriculum’s content and objectives.
Okudzeto Ablakwa, however, challenged these claims, urging NAPO to provide proof that the curriculum was intended to promote pro-LGBTQ content.
NAPO countered that the hypocrisy lies in accusing the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of introducing CSE, asserting that letters he received from faith-based organizations, including the Catholic Church, were misleading. “Where were they when they sat on the GES Board overseeing this program?” he questioned.
Comprehensive Sexuality Education, intended to address emotional, cognitive, and social facets of sexuality, remains a divisive issue, with concerns from some stakeholders about its appropriateness for young students.
While their goal is to provide structured and accurate information, some communities worry that CSE may expose children to sensitive topics prematurely, complicating its acceptance and implementation in schools.