A US-trained sex therapist, Joshua Kwame Yeboah, has called on the government and stakeholders to develop a national sexuality education policy to address gaps in public understanding and strengthen professional practice in Ghana.
Mr Yeboah, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Sexuality, Marriage and Family Life Research and Training (iSMART), said sexuality remained difficult to discuss constructively in many homes, schools, churches and communities.
“In some homes, schools, churches and communities, sexuality remains too uncomfortable to discuss constructively. Young people may be warned against sexual activity without being adequately equipped to understand puberty, personal boundaries, consent, abuse prevention and responsible decision-making,” he said.
“The challenge is not simply whether we discuss sexuality. It is whether we discuss it accurately, responsibly and constructively.”
He was speaking at a graduation ceremony in Accra on October 17, 2026, for the first cohort of students to complete iSMART’s International Professional Certificate in Sex Therapy programme.
The ceremony was held under the theme, “The New Sexual Revolution: Professionalising Sex Therapy Practice in Africa.” It also sought to promote professional competence, responsible communication and institutional accountability in sexuality education and sex therapy.
Calls for renewed debate on sexuality education
Mr Yeboah urged Ghana to revisit the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) proposal introduced in 2019, which was halted following concerns from parents, stakeholders and sections of the public.
He argued that scientific knowledge could be integrated with Ghanaian cultural and religious values to support a more comprehensive approach to sexuality education.
“I therefore advocate for a Ghanaian, culturally sensitive, faith-informed and scientifically grounded framework for holistic sexuality education,” he said.
He proposed that the framework should provide age-appropriate education on bodily development, personal safety, consent, abuse prevention, healthy relationships, reproductive health and responsible decision-making.
Mr Yeboah also urged sexuality professionals to use social media to share credible information and counter misinformation, saying this would help break the silence surrounding sexuality.
Proposal for African Academy of Sex Therapy
Board Chairman of iSMART and former UNESCO director, Reverend Dr Emmanuel Apea, proposed the establishment of an African Academy of Sex Therapy and Sexual Health to support the development of the profession across the continent.
He said the proposed academy could bring together qualified professionals, researchers, educators and trainers to establish common professional standards, ethical guidelines, supervised practice and continuing professional development programmes.
The initiative, he said, would also encourage research and collaboration among African countries.
“This is indeed possible, because I recall that years ago during my presidency at the Ghana Association of Science Teachers, we were able to form both the West African Association of Science Teachers and the Forum of African Science Educators,” Rev. Dr Apea said.
He urged universities, healthcare organisations, training institutions and professional associations to support the initiative by working out its structure, membership requirements and quality assurance processes.
Calls for professional training in sex therapy
A lecturer at the University of Cape Coast and iSMART board member, Professor Stephen Doh Fia, also called for misconceptions about sexuality education and sex therapy to be addressed.
He challenged the claim that Ghanaian culture did not traditionally teach sex and therefore sexuality education should not be introduced.
“Culture did talk about sex through Dipo, Brago and puberty rites,” he said, referring to traditional rites associated with puberty and social development.
Prof. Fia further advocated the introduction of postgraduate certificate programmes or specialised courses in psychosexual therapy within university Clinical Psychology and Counselling Psychology programmes.
The proposals come amid calls from sexuality professionals for more structured education, training and ethical standards to improve public understanding of sexuality and strengthen professional practice in Ghana.