New history curriculum not to score political points – NaCCA

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) has dismissed claims that the inclusion of Dr J. B Danquah in the new history curriculum is aimed at scoring political points.

According to NaCCA, the new curriculum, which was designed by “experts” is aimed at helping pupils to appreciate the chronology of events in Ghana’s political history.

A statement issued and signed by the acting Executive Secretary, Dr. Prince H. Armah, explained that since history is chronological and periodical in nature, the curriculum at the primary level would focus mainly on the pre-independent events of which Dr J. B. Danquah “played a prominent role”.

The statement added that the curriculum at the JHS and SHS levels would throwlight light on the independence and post-independence political activities of which Dr Kwame Nkrumah featured prominently.

Below is the full statement by NaCCA 

The attention of the National Council for Curriculum & Assessment (NaCCA) has been drawn to some concerns raised on certain social and electronic media platforms, claiming that the new history curriculum for primary schools is skewed towards amplifying the role of Dr. J.B. Danquah in Ghana’s history to serve a political interest. These concerns tend to give a partisan political colouration to the development of the history curriculum which NaCCA considers regrettable. 

NaCCA therefore wishes to provide the following important clarifications: 

History is chronological and periodical in nature. The period covered in the history curriculum at the primary level focuses mainly on the pre-independent events that formed the basis for the later development of political activities which contributed to the independence of Ghana. At this stage Dr. J. B. Danquah played a prominent role. It is therefore important for our young learners to appreciate the chronology of the events of our political history. 

At the JHS and SHS levels, the history curriculum will highlight further details on the independence and post-independence political activities. This is where Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and other political leaders and regimes feature more prominently.  

The experts who designed the curriculum were not selected on the basis of any political considerations, and it is unfortunate for anyone to suggest otherwise.

The likes of Prof. Kwame Osei Kwarteng, Prof. Wilson Yayoh, Dr. Samuel Boadi Siaw, Mrs. Anitha Adu-Boahen  and other historians who worked on the History Curriculum are all scholars of great repute and proven integrity who have nothing to gain by skewing historical facts one way or the other. For quality assurance, the curriculum was reviewed by Professor Emeritus D. E. K. Amenumey. 

Whilst NaCCA appreciates and values public feedback on the new curriculum as an important element in helping to improve learning outcomes through a robust and responsive curriculum, we wish to state for the avoidance of doubt that our work is based mainly on academic and professional considerations. 

NaCCA looks forward to receiving more feedbacks from the public on the new curriculum. Further, NaCCA wishes to thank the public for the generally warm reception given to the new standards-based curriculum.

Dr. Prince H. Armah Ag. Executive Secretary