Hashmin Mohammed, press secretary to Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, said on Eyewitness News that the proposals to introduce Arabic and Chinese language studies into Ghana’s basic education curriculum are still recommendations and have not become government policy.
Mohammed explained that the recommendations originated from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) and that they are currently undergoing the required approval process. He added that the Education Ministry has forwarded the proposals to the Ghana Education Service (GES) for input before they reach Cabinet.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has demanded the minister’s removal over the controversial plans, claiming the initiative was launched without presidential or Cabinet approval. It also noted that the Ministry and NaCCA have already begun steps toward implementation.
“The recommendations are recommendations, not policy until Cabinet approves,” Mohammed said. “If the honourable minister communicated the recommendations of NaCCA, what is wrong with that?” he asked.
Mohammed stressed that Cabinet retains the authority to approve or reject proposals and that communicating recommendations does not equate to adopting them as policy. He dismissed calls for an apology, arguing that the ministry is following the established process for curriculum changes.
