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Ntim Fordjour accuses Kwakye Ofosu of arrogance of power over LGBT claims
Former Deputy Education Minister John Ntim Fordjour has hit back at Minister for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu, accusing the government of what he described as arrogance of power over alleged LGBT content in school materials.
His response followed comments by Mr Kwakye Ofosu, who described Mr Fordjour as overzealous and prone to getting carried away in his advocacy.
The minister also argued that Mr Fordjour was part of the government when the curriculum in question was introduced.
Reacting to the remarks, Mr Fordjour rejected the criticism and accused the government of insulting parents who had raised concerns about the content of textbooks and teacher manuals used in schools.
According to him, parents voted for the current government on the belief that it would protect Ghanaian values and shield children from LGBT related content in education.
He argued that the same government had now allowed materials that discuss gender beyond male and female and topics he described as sexual in nature to be introduced into classrooms.
Mr Fordjour claimed the government had been caught red handed and had even admitted plans to remove the content, yet continued to dismiss critics as being overzealous.
He stressed that parents had every right to be alarmed, noting that lessons taught in school often carry more weight than what children hear at home, in churches, or in mosques. He warned that once such ideas are taught in school, they are difficult to undo.
The former deputy minister maintained that being vigilant, even if described as overzealous, was necessary to protect children and preserve Ghanaian cultural values. He added that many parents across the country shared these concerns and would continue to speak out.
Mr Fordjour further accused the government of betraying its campaign promises and using public funds to print what he described as LGBT laced textbooks, while dismissing parents who questioned the move.
He concluded that the backlash from parents was not extremism but a natural response to what he viewed as a threat to the values and mindset of the younger generation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has pledged to work closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to address challenges affecting the delivery of justice in Ghana.
He made this known after receiving the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who paid a courtesy call on him earlier today.
The Chief Justice was accompanied by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Gabriel Pwamang, the Acting Director of the Ghana School of Law, Professor Raymond Atuguba, and the Judicial Secretary.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, was also present at the meeting.
Dr. Forson said the Chief Justice explained that the visit was to express appreciation for the continuous support the Ministry of Finance has given to the Judiciary.
According to him, the Chief Justice raised concerns about congestion in the courts, describing it as a major challenge that affects the speedy delivery of justice.
He said several solutions are currently being considered to help reduce the pressure on the courts.
“The Chief Justice also highlighted issues regarding the working conditions of staff within the Judiciary,” Dr. Forson stated.
He assured them of his commitment to helping resolve these problems through collaboration with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.
“I am committed to working closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to tackle these challenges,” he said.
As part of the measures being considered, Dr. Forson revealed that his ministry is examining the possibility of allowing the Judiciary to use 100 percent of its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to meet urgent operational needs.
He said this move, if approved, would help improve the efficiency of the courts and enhance justice delivery across the country.
The meeting forms part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Executive and the Judiciary in addressing systemic challenges within Ghana’s justice system.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has begun talks with the family of Guinea’s first President, Sékou Touré, to take possession of the house where Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah lived and worked during his final years in exile.
The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the move follows instructions from President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the Mahama administration plans to renovate and preserve the residence in Guinea as a mark of respect for Nkrumah and to protect his legacy.
He explained that the site is expected to become part of a broader historical and tourism experience that traces Nkrumah’s life from Ghana to Guinea.
The decision was formally communicated to the Sékou Touré family on Saturday during a visit led by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
The visit took place after the investiture of Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya.
Mr Ablakwa noted that the Ghanaian delegation toured Nkrumah’s abandoned home and was warmly received by three generations of the Sékou Touré family, led by the former president’s eldest son.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently negotiating the terms and conditions of the arrangement and engaging preservation experts to handle the restoration works.
The minister assured the public that the process will be handled openly, stressing that Ghanaians will be kept informed at every stage in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was Ghana’s first President and a leading figure in Africa’s independence and Pan African movements.
His years in Guinea symbolised the strong political and ideological ties between the two countries.
By: Jacob Aggrey
