Naa Momo Lartey, the ministerial nominee for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, has pledged to make Ghanaian family values a core part of the country’s education system. During her parliamentary vetting on January 22, she emphasized the importance of instilling values such as truth, integrity, diversity, and self-directed learning into the curriculum. According to her, these values are essential for shaping responsible citizens and building a cohesive society.
Lartey’s approach aims to nurture students into compassionate, adaptable, and resourceful individuals who can contribute positively to their communities. She believes this initiative will not only benefit students but also support Ghana’s transformation into an industrialized learning nation. Highlighting the importance of sustainability, Lartey noted that incorporating these values into education will provide the younger generation with a strong foundation in Ghanaian cultural norms and societal values.
Her comments come amidst ongoing discussions on Ghana’s Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which seeks to criminalize activities perceived to promote LGBTQ+ lifestyles. Lartey emphasized her commitment to aligning her ministry’s actions with the collective moral stance of Ghanaians, as reflected in the bill. She stressed the need to go beyond legislation by embedding family values into the education system to ensure they are instilled in children from an early age.
The bill, introduced in Parliament in 2021, has received strong support from traditional leaders, religious groups, and the public for its aim to preserve Ghana’s cultural heritage and moral values. However, it has faced criticism from international human rights organizations and foreign governments for allegedly infringing on basic human rights. Lartey’s focus on education as a vehicle for promoting values aligns with efforts to address societal challenges while fostering national identity and social responsibility.
