Accra, Ghana – The National Muslim Conference of Ghana (NMCG), representing various Islamic sects under the leadership of the National Chief Imam, has issued a joint statement in response to a recent declaration by the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) and the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC).
The Muslim leaders clarified that their position is not a request for special treatment for Muslim students in Christian mission schools. Instead, they are seeking exclusion of Muslim students from Christian-specific religious practices in these schools, emphasizing that Muslims should not be compelled to participate in non-Islamic worship.
Key points from the NMCG statement include:
1. Contradiction of MoU: The Muslim group asserts that the CCG/GCBC statement violates the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between assisted mission schools and the Ghana Education Service (GES).
2. Interfaith Harmony: They argue that segregating students into Muslim or Christian schools undermines harmonious living and interfaith dialogue, advocating instead for coexistence.
3. Pathway for Mission Schools: The NMCG suggests that Christian mission schools wishing to maintain their religious ethos should opt out of government funding and teachers, and withdraw from the computerized school selection system.
4. Government Funding Issue: The conference supports the idea that if government funding is used, it should not benefit any religious group, suggesting transparency in allocation to avoid religious bias.
The Muslim leaders emphasize the need for Ghanaians to live together without religious segregation, promoting mutual respect and national unity. They have called for adherence to constitutional rights ensuring religious freedom for all citizens.
The CCG and GCBC have been given an opportunity to respond to the Muslim conference’s assertions regarding the return of mission schools and government funding.