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Ghanaian textbook sparks uproar over ‘disadvantages of Christianity’ content
Some parents are raising concerns about the contents of a history textbook for basic 4 pupils on religion, specifically Christianity. In the book entitled History of Ghana for Basic Schools, authored by Francis Benjamin Appiah and Henry David Appiah, a section lists some points about the negative effects of Christian missionary activities. Among the points listed, it is stated that Christianity has led to an increase in poverty in Ghana. In addition to the given points, it is opined in the book that religion is a major cause of physical and doctrinal disputes in Ghana. In addition to the given points, it is opined in the book that religion is a major cause of physical and doctrinal disputes in Ghana. This has ignited a debate with some parents expressing worry about how a book approved by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) portrays religion and Christianity. Some experts from Eduwatch and the Institute for Education Studies (IFEST) have also raised concerns about the book’s approval by NaCCA. Eduwatch’s Programmes Director, Divine Kpe said the purpose of that section of the book is to enable students to generate ideas for debate on the effect of European missionaries in Ghana. “When you look at the basic 4 curriculum for Religious and Moral Education, that particular objective for which the authors are writing to is about the pupils debating the effect of Christian missionaries or European missionaries in Ghana, some of their effects. “So it’s actually expected to be a debate that the pupils were to have. In so doing, I think the authors were trying to generate ideas that the people can raise in terms of their debate,” he said on JoyNews’ AM Show on Thursday. Mr Kpe, however, contended that there were inaccuracies in some of the points. He also said the inaccuracies breached some standard NaCCA guidelines given to publishers who submit their books for validation. This includes the criteria of accuracy, currency of the content matter, and relevance of the content to the curriculum. Mr Kpe criticised the authors for their subpar work and noted that the existence of such a book on the market was a result of NaCCa’s failure to fulfill its mandate. But speaking on the same show, a Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Yaw Opoku Mensah asserted that the book in question was not the official one approved by the NaCCA. He claimed that per the information provided to him by NaCCA, the approved version of the book did not have the section in question. However, another panelist on the show, Executive Director of IFEST, Dr Peter Anti would not have any of those claims. Dr Anti insisted that the book in question had been approved by NaCCA “There is a published document of about 66 pages that lists all the books that have been approved by NaCCA and this document is there. It’s on page 56, so this book is approved,” he stressed. Dr Anti added that the publishers should be placed on a blacklist by the NaCCA and given the appropriate punishment if, indeed, the book in circulation on the market was not the one that had been approved by NaCCA. Credit : Myjoyonline.come
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
