The University of Ghana has categorically dismissed claims suggesting that it has altered its statutes to accommodate LGBTQ+ activities on campus.
The allegations were made public on Friday, 21st November 2025, through a GhanaWeb report following comments by private lawyer Moses Foh-Amoaning during an interview on Onua FM’s programme, Yɛn Nsempa.
Mr. Foh-Amoaning, who also serves as Executive Secretary of the National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values, alleged that the University’s Council, under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, had amended institutional statutes to allow transgender and LGBTQ+ activities. He also stated that his organisation had written to the University for clarification but allegedly received no response.
In a formal statement released on 24th November 2025, the University refuted the claims, describing them as “false, misleading, and defamatory.” The statement clarified that the 2024 statutory review did not introduce any provisions endorsing LGBTQ+ activities and that all amendments strictly adhered to national laws and the University’s regulatory framework.
The University explained that the only adjustments made involved updating gender-specific pronouns such as “he,” “she,” “him,” and “her” to gender-neutral alternatives like “they” and “their.” This change, it stated, was purely linguistic, aimed at modernizing the statutes and ensuring consistency with contemporary English usage.
Management highlighted that the singular “they” has been widely accepted in academic, legal, and religious texts over the past two decades, citing the 2011 New International Version (NIV) Bible as an example. The University provided examples showing that clauses formerly using “his or her” were updated for gender neutrality without altering their meaning or introducing new provisions.
The statement further noted that the University had responded to the coalition’s inquiries. A letter dated 10th November 2025 addressed Mr. Foh-Amoaning’s concerns regarding pronoun changes, contradicting his claim of non-response.
The University also condemned what it described as a personal attack on the Vice-Chancellor, stressing that no individual holds the power to unilaterally amend the statutes. Attempts to personalise the matter and question the Vice-Chancellor’s integrity were deemed unfounded and in bad faith.
Demanding a retraction and a public apology from Mr. Foh-Amoaning, the University warned that failure to comply would result in legal action to protect its reputation and that of its leadership.
The statement additionally called on GhanaWeb, Onua FM, and other media outlets to exercise caution and verify information with the University’s Public Affairs Directorate before publication. Amplifying unverified claims, it said, risks misleading the public and damaging institutional credibility.
Despite the controversy, the University reaffirmed its dedication to academic excellence, ethical governance, and the maintenance of a safe and lawful environment for all community members. Management emphasized its ongoing focus on transformative education and impactful research, asserting that baseless allegations would not distract from these goals.
