- "So, I think authors also do have a responsibility frankly, if you are operating in a liberalised society and you want to influence for good, you should take that responsibility to make sure that what you put out for young people to imbibe is something that unifies the nation."
Dr Joyce Aryee, a former minister of information in the government of late President J J Rawlings has charged publishers in Ghana to ensure their works do not bring division in the country.
Speaking to Nana Yaa Mensah on Asaase Radio’s Sunday Night show on the three controversial textbooks that have generated public outcry, Dr Aryee said publishers must be diligent.
“Before you pass a book, I think it needs to be thoroughly and diligently scrutinised. In a liberalised regime that is always a challenge. And you would expect publishers of books would also be diligent,” the Executive Director of Salt and Light Ministries said.
Dr Aryee added: “Why would you want to publish a book with offensive references to ethnic groups, unless you explained maybe the history of those comments, the context of those comments and so on and that you put it out and say this is what it said and this is not what it says. If you are operating in a liberalised society you explain what it means.”
According to her, publishers must not shirk their responsibility in putting out books that meet the required standards despite the liberalisation of the market.
“So, I think authors also do have a responsibility frankly, if you are operating in a liberalised society and you want to influence for good, you should take that responsibility to make sure that what you put out for young people to imbibe is something that unifies the nation and build up their own understanding on the differences that we have… so that sense of responsibility is important.”
She, however, commended the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), for not approving the three textbooks in question.
Watch the full interview:
Withdraw controversial textbooks
John Mensah Anang, the acting director-general of NaCCA has ordered the publishers of the said textbooks to immediately withdraw the books from the market.
According to NACCA, the three controversial textbooks – the History of Ghana Textbook 3 by Badu Nkansah Publications, History of Ghana for Basic 6 and Golden English Basic 4 by Golden Publications – have not been approved.
Speaking on The Asaase Breakfast Show with Nana Yaa Mensah on Monday (15 March), the NaCCA boss said the Council is currently reviewing one of the books in contention, History of Ghana Textbook 3.
“With the books that you are talking about, it is only the History of Ghana, Textbook 3 by Badu Nkansah Publications which is currently under review. The other two books have not even reached the doors of NaCCA,” Anang said.
He added: “What the publishers of Ghana have been doing is that they publish the book and on the blind side of NaCCA they go into the system, they meet with proprietors and headmistresses, mostly [in] the private schools, and then they start selling their books over there, that is the challenge we are facing now.”
Vigilance of public
Anang commended members of the public for their vigilance in ensuring that such unapproved books are brought to fore and subjected to public scrutiny.
“So, now that we are cracking the whip based on the issues coming up and we are so proud of the Ghanaian, they are now up to the task.
“That this time they do not kowtow to anything that comes out, people are able to go through, assess and authenticate and draw our attention, the public is now helping us and we now appreciate it.”
The NaCCA boss also said that the publishers have since apologised.
Fred Dzakpata
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