No policy to introduce Arabic, Chinese in public schools -President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has dismissed claims that his administration has approved a policy to introduce Arabic and Chinese as compulsory subjects in Ghana’s public schools.
According to the President, no such policy has been approved by Cabinet, describing the reports circulating on the matter as false.

President Mahama made the clarification during a community engagement in Wa on Saturday, September 12, 2026, as part of his two-day Resetting Ghana Tour of the Upper West Region.

“Let me completely clear the air regarding rumours about Arabic and Chinese being introduced into the school curriculum,” he said.

“There is absolutely no government policy introducing Arabic or Chinese as compulsory subjects in public schools.”
President Mahama, who chairs Cabinet, said any significant changes to subjects taught in Ghanaian schools must first receive Cabinet approval.

“I chair Cabinet myself, and no new curriculum has been approved containing such a proposal,” he stressed.

He therefore urged the public to disregard claims suggesting that government had approved the introduction of Arabic or Chinese into the curriculum of all public schools.
“Those circulating this information are spreading falsehoods,” the President said.

He questioned the practicality of introducing Chinese nationwide when Ghana continues to face challenges recruiting enough French teachers, despite being surrounded by French-speaking countries.

“We are surrounded by French-speaking countries, and we still struggle to recruit enough French teachers. Where would we suddenly find Chinese teachers for every public school?” he asked.
President Mahama also explained that the training of Arabic teachers is linked to the long-established English-Arabic Schools, which were introduced during the administration of former President Jerry John Rawlings to improve access to education within Muslim communities.

He emphasised that this should not be misconstrued as a new policy to introduce Arabic as a compulsory subject in public schools.

“There is no new policy introducing Arabic or Chinese into all public schools in Ghana. I repeat this as President of the Republic: no such policy has been approved by Cabinet,” he said.