NPP demands apology or dismissal of Education Minister over Arabic, Chinese language policy

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has demanded either an apology from President John Dramani Mahama or the dismissal of Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu in response to the controversy over the introduction of Arabic and Chinese languages into the Ghanaian school curriculum. The party’s Education Sector Policy Committee released a statement criticizing the President’s denial of any new policy, leading to a contradiction within government.

The committee stated that if Iddrisu announced the policy without presidential and Cabinet approval, Mahama must dismiss him; however, if Iddrisu acted with the President's authority or knowledge, Mahama should apologize for denying a policy he had set in motion. The NPP highlights that the Minister announced the policy on April 24, 2026, and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) developed the curriculum, engaging 160 writers and reviewers over several months.

The committee questions the spending of public funds on the curriculum development and teacher training if there was no approved policy. The controversy also raises concerns about ministerial authority and government accountability, demanding clear communication from the government to address parents, teachers, school administrators, and taxpayers.