News
Deputy Minister for Education condemns obnoxious textbook
The Deputy Minister for Education, John Ntim Fordjour has condemned
Excellence Publications for publishing a textbook that denigrates Christianity.
The book titled History of Ghana for Basic Schools, authored by Francis Benjamin Appiah and Henry David Appiah has a page which lists some points about the negative effect of Christian missionary activities.
In a tweet, the Deputy Minister condemned the book saying it is obnoxious.
According to Mr.Fordjour, who is also a Member of Parliament for Assin South, the content is appalling and misconceived.
Against this commended and supported NaCCA’s swift action to recall the books and apply sanction.
The tweet read “I condemn entirely the rather obnoxious content found in a textbook published by ‘Excellence Publications’ and smuggled into the market for unsuspecting learners. The content is appalling and misconceived. I support NaCCA’s swift action to recall the books and apply sanctions. Ghana is most peaceful for a reason, and the important place of religion cannot be undermined.”
This has ignited a debate with some parents expressing concerns about how a book approved by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) could vilify religion and Christianity.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has called for stronger investment and greater recognition of creative professionals as key contributors to national development.
During a meeting with Harmonious Chorale, the Minister highlighted the persistent challenge of limited corporate sponsorship and the undervaluation of practitioners, especially in specialised areas such as choral and children-focused productions.
She stressed the need for a national shift in mindset to position the creative arts as a vital driver of Ghana’s cultural identity and global visibility.
The Minister also commended Harmonious Chorale for its outstanding international representation of Ghana and reiterated the Ministry’s support for the group’s upcoming participation in the Festival of Orthodox Church Music in Poland.
The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Finance Committee, Isaac Adongo, has responded to claims by the Minority in Parliament that the Bank of Ghana recorded losses of about GH¢44 million under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration.
Mr. Adongo’s response follows a press conference addressed by Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and members of the Minority at Parliament House on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
At the press conference, the Minority accused the Bank of Ghana, Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama and the NDC government of mismanaging the economy and worsening the financial condition of the central bank.
The Minority argued that the reported losses at the Bank of Ghana showed signs of poor economic management under the current administration and questioned the direction of the central bank under Dr. Asiama’s leadership.
But reacting to the accusations in an interview with Edem Mensah-Tsotorme, Online Editor of ghanaiantimes.com.gh , Mr. Adongo said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had no moral authority to criticize the current management of the central bank because the Bank of Ghana recorded far bigger losses under the previous administration.
“Under the NPP, the Bank of Ghana suffered its worst ever loss of GH¢55 billion in one year,” he said.
According to the Bolgatanga Central MP, the 2022 financial statements published in 2023 showed that the central bank recorded losses of about GH¢55 billion, while its negative net worth stood at about GH¢61 billion when the NDC government assumed office.
He further alleged that additional costs linked to the financial sector cleanup were transferred to the central government budget to conceal the actual financial state of the Bank of Ghana.
“If we were to add all of that, we really would have been around close to GH¢90 billion in negative net worth by the time we took over office,” he stated.
Mr. Adongo also accused the previous administration of hiding the real fiscal burden of the banking sector cleanup through accounting arrangements in the national budget.
According to him, the current administration and the Bank of Ghana have instead focused on stabilizing the economy through policies aimed at increasing foreign exchange inflows and reducing pressure on the cedi.
He explained that government used gold exports through the Gold Board to generate foreign exchange for the economy.
According to him, the initiative brought in an average of one billion dollars every month, helping stabilize the forex market and strengthen the cedi.
He said the improved forex situation reduced speculative demand for dollars and contributed to the appreciation of the local currency.
“We ended up the year with about 40.7 percent strengthening of the cedi,” he stated.
Mr. Adongo added that the stronger cedi had also helped reduce inflation and interest rates, bringing relief to businesses and consumers.
He praised President John Dramani Mahama for appointing Dr. Asiama as Governor of the Bank of Ghana.
According to him, the President identified Dr. Asiama as the right person to manage the central bank after assessing the country’s economic challenges.
“He saw Dr. Asiama as the best and safer hand to manage the bank,” Mr. Adongo added.
By: Jacob Aggrey
