The Office of the National Chief Imam has backed the introduction of Arabic as an optional subject in Ghana’s public schools, describing the language as an important tool for education, diplomacy, science and international commerce.
In a press statement signed by the Personal Assistant to the National Chief Imam, Dr Abubakari Mohammed Marzuq Azindoo, the Office said it had taken note of concerns raised by members of the public over the policy and welcomed the ongoing national discussion.
The statement urged citizens to distinguish between the teaching of Arabic as a language and its religious or sectarian associations.
“Arabic is a global language of diplomacy, science, and commerce – not a religious identity, practice, and influence,” the statement said.
According to the Office, Ghana’s increasingly interconnected economy makes the acquisition of diverse language skills an important investment in the future of young people.
It noted that Arabic is one of the six official languages of the United Nations and is widely spoken across a region with significant economic and commercial opportunities.
The National Chief Imam’s Office commended the Ministry of Education for introducing a standardised curriculum through the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), saying the framework would help ensure quality and consistency in the teaching of the language.
It said students who choose to study Arabic would be better equipped to pursue opportunities in areas such as international diplomacy, trade and cross-border research.
The Office also welcomed the Ministry’s clarification that Arabic would remain an optional subject and would not be compulsory for students.
“It is neither mandatory nor intended to compromise the secular foundation of our public educational system,” it stated.
The statement further cited Ghana’s constitutional protections on religious freedom, referencing Article 56, which prevents Parliament from establishing a national religion, and Article 21(1)(c), which guarantees freedom to practise and manifest one’s religion.
The Office argued that the teaching of Arabic should be viewed in the same way as other foreign languages such as French, German and Spanish, which have been taught in Ghana’s educational system without altering the religious or cultural identities of students.
“The standardised Arabic curriculum should be viewed purely through the lens of academic excellence. It is a tool for cognitive development, not an instrument for religious advancement,” the statement added.
The National Chief Imam’s Office therefore urged educationists, policymakers and the public to approach the issue objectively and focus on its potential contribution to national development.
It also supported the Ministry of Education’s call for citizens to rely on authoritative sources for information on the policy, warning against misinformation and disinformation that could fuel unnecessary religious tensions.
The Office reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service (GES) and other relevant institutions to promote an inclusive, peaceful and globally competitive education system in Ghana.
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