The University of Ghana has issued a strong rebuttal to claims by Mr Moses Foh-Amoaning that recent changes to the institution’s statutes were intended to admit or promote LGBTQ+ activities.
In a formal statement released by the Office of the Registrar, the University described the allegations as “false and misleading,” stressing that the revised statutes do not endorse, promote, or admit LGBTQ+ conduct.
Mr Foh-Amoaning, a known advocate for anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, had publicly criticised the University’s 2024 statute revisions, alleging that they formed part of a broader agenda to normalise LGBTQ+ activities within Ghana’s premier academic institution. His comments, which were widely circulated on media platforms including GhanaWeb and Onua FM, sparked public debate and concern.
The University clarified that the changes were purely linguistic, aimed at replacing gender-specific pronouns such as “he,” “she,” “his,” and “her” with gender-neutral terms like “they” and “their.” According to the Registrar, the move was intended to streamline language and avoid repetitive gender references in official documents.
The University further cited the evolution of English usage over the past two decades, referencing the 2011 New International Version (NIV) of the Bible, which uses “they/them” for singular antecedents — a practice now widely accepted in academic and legal writing.
“The changes in the Statutes merely involved replacing gender-specific pronouns such as ‘he’, ‘him’, ‘she’ or ‘her’ with gender-neutral terms such as ‘they’ and ‘their’, as well as additional linguistic adjustments made to represent both male and female in order to eliminate the need to continuously state he or she/him or her in the Statutes,” the statement read.
“The revisions are consistent with developments in the English language over the past two decades, where the singular ‘they/their/them’ has become widely accepted in reputable academic, legal and religious texts. For instance, the 2011 New International Version (NIV) of the Bible uses ‘they/them’ to refer to a singular antecedent, as in James 4:17: ‘If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them,’” the statement added.
Management reiterated that all revisions were undertaken in accordance with Ghanaian law and University regulations. It strongly condemned what it described as an “unacceptable personal attack” on the Vice-Chancellor, noting that no individual officer has unilateral authority to amend University statutes.
“It is important to note that no Vice-Chancellor possesses unilateral authority to amend University Statutes. Attempts to impugn her integrity based on unfounded allegations are unacceptable,” it said.
The University demanded an immediate retraction and public apology from Mr Foh-Amoaning, warning that failure to comply could result in legal action. It also urged media houses to exercise greater responsibility in reporting on sensitive institutional matters and to verify claims with the University’s Public Affairs Directorate before publication.
“The University therefore demands an immediate retraction of the false statements made by Mr Foh-Amoaning and a public apology to the Vice-Chancellor and the University community. Failure to comply within a reasonable timeframe will leave the University with no option but to pursue appropriate legal remedies under Ghanaian law to protect the integrity of the institution and its leadership.”
“The University also calls on GhanaWeb, Onua FM, and all media houses to exercise responsibility when reporting on sensitive institutional matters. The amplification of unverified claims does not serve the public interest and risks misleading the public. Media organisations are urged to verify information with the University’s Public Affairs Directorate before publication to avoid contributing to the spread of misinformation.”
Despite the controversy, the University reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a transformative student experience, conducting impactful research, and upholding ethical governance. It emphasised that it would not be distracted by misinformation and remains focused on achieving global impact through teaching and learning.
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Story by Kelvin Owusu Andam | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Gabriel Tecco Mensah
