By Enock Akonnor (Managing Editor) enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
The national discussion on religious freedoms in Ghana’s schools has gained renewed momentum as Islamic scholar Dr. Abdul-Muhsin Baafi publicly commended Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, for his stand on restrictions reportedly placed on Muslim students at Wesley Girls’ Senior High School.
Dr. Baafi, in a statement on Thursday and copied to the office of leaky Ghana Online, welcomed the Minister’s assertion that limiting the religious expression of students contradicts international human rights norms.
He described the Minister’s position as a demonstration of principled leadership anchored in fairness, constitutional values, and the protection of minority rights.
Highlighting the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion, Dr. Baafi stressed that public schools must not only accommodate but actively safeguard the rights of all students, regardless of their faith.
He emphasized that institutions funded by the state have a responsibility to uphold inclusivity and reflect the diversity of the nation.
The scholar also raised concerns about the perceived silence of the Attorney General on the matter. He noted that the Attorney General’s office is mandated to ensure that laws and policies do not infringe on the rights of citizens. According to him, the failure to challenge the school’s restrictions is troubling, given the potential conflict with constitutional safeguards.
Dr. Baafi expressed confidence that the Ministry of Education’s rights-centered approach will influence the broader education landscape, encouraging policies that reinforce tolerance, fairness, and respect for religious expression.
The debate surrounding the policies at Wesley Girls’ SHS has continued to attract public interest, becoming a touchpoint in wider conversations about the interplay between school regulations, administrative authority, and students’ fundamental freedoms. Many stakeholders are now looking to the Ministry for guidance on the way forward.
Source; www.leakyGhana.com
Enock Akonnor is an experienced Ghanaian journalist, based in Kumasi and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Editor of www.leakyghana.com.
With a wealth of expertise built over many years in the media industry, he has earned a solid reputation as one of Ghana’s most sought-after journalists.
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