The National Muslim Conference of Ghana (NMCG) has called on the government and Christian authorities to respect the religious rights of Muslim students in government-assisted mission schools.
The NMCG’s demand comes in response to a statement by the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) and the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), which sought to justify restrictions on Muslim students’ right to practice their faith.
In a press statement, the NMCG emphasized that the Constitution of Ghana guarantees every student the right to practice and manifest their religion, and that mission schools receiving state funding and support cannot act as private religious enclaves.
The NMCG cited the Ghana Education Service (GES) Directive on Religious Tolerance (2015), which prohibits denying Muslim students the right to wear the hijab, forcing them into Christian worship, or preventing them from practicing their faith.
The statement also highlighted what they referred to as “hypocrisy” of the GCBC/CCG’s position, given their signature on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in April 2024, which requires acceptance of diversity, non-discrimination, and support for students’ religious practices.
The NMCG cautioned that the GCBC/CCG’s stance could undermine Ghana’s peace and stability, and called on all Ghanaians to recognize the importance of respecting minority religious rights.
“We are not asking for mosques to be built in mission schools, but rather for the right to pray, fast, and not be forced to attend church activities,” the NMCG stated.
The NMCG reaffirmed its trust in the courts and the constitutional order, and urged all parties to respect the rule of law.
The issue has sparked widespread debate in Ghana, with many calling for greater respect for religious diversity and tolerance.
The NMCG’s statement has been seen as a bold move to assert the rights of Muslim students and promote interfaith understanding in Ghana while fostering peace within Ghanaian communities.
Story by Prosper Kwaku Selassy Agbitor
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