The leadership of the Ghana National Association of Authors and Publishers(GNAAP) has issued a statement in reaction to a textbook content meant for basic schools in Ghana which the country’s Deputy Minister of Education has described as ‘obnoxious.
In a statement captioned “Textbook content on disadvantage of Christianity obnoxious: The response of the Ghana National Association of Authors and Publishers,” the association said it did not call the media to pass judgment on the mater but to render apologies where it is due.
The statement further indicated that its response to the subject is an effort to protect and redeem the image of the association.
“We did not gather here to pass judgement on the matter but to set the records straight and to render apologies where apologies are due in a bid to protect the image and professionalism of the association,” part of the statement reads.
The association observed that authors of the said textbook did well in its discussions on the topic in pages that preceded the controversy page.
It however, admitted to an error of content adherence requirements and suitability of content for the level that the textbook intend to educate.
Executives GNAAP led by the National President John Akwasi Amankwah issued the statement on behalf of the association at a press conference in Kumasi.
Leadership of GNAAP pointed out that the association represents the collective voice of the publishing fraternity and as such could not sit undisturbed.
They observed that the controversy that the said publication has generated in the country’s education set up and religious divides following the deputy minister’s remarks on the textbook needed to be addressed.
Members and leaders of the association on that note expressed regret and apologized for the inconveniences that the said publication has caused the Ghanaian public, especially the Christian community.
It also assured that leadership and stakeholders in the country’s education setup will ensure that the obnoxious content as described by the minister is corrected.
Back Ground:
On 26th May, myjoyonline published a story in which the Deputy Education Minister, Hon. John Ntim Fordjour reportedly made a pronouncement condemning content in a history textbook published by Excellence Publications.
According to the publication, the deputy education minister described content of the textbook titled ‘’The History of Ghana For Basic Schools as obnoxious and misleading.
Following publication of the said remarks regarding the content in the textbook by the minister, the textbook has generated some controversy among Ghanaians Christians in general and the publishing industry in particular, a situation that has compelled the association to issue a statement of apology.
