Accra – The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the Christian Council of Ghana issued a statement on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, addressing the ongoing debate over whether non‑Christian students, particularly Muslims, should be allowed to fully practice their faith in Christian mission schools. The bishops affirmed that Christian mission schools were established to nurture the Christian identity, ethos, and values that have shaped Ghana’s educational landscape for over a century.
In the release, the religious leaders explained that the schools’ historical and proprietorship roots are tied to Christian denominations such as Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Anglican churches, which view education as a missionary duty. They emphasized that government support for these institutions does not transfer ownership or diminish their religious character, nor does it grant the state the right to alter their foundational Christian mission.
The statement also underscored the principle of freedom of choice, noting that no student is compelled to attend a Christian mission school. Parents are free to choose alternative schools—public, Islamic, or private—that respect their religious preferences, ensuring non‑Christian students’ rights are protected without compromising the schools’ religious identity.
The bishops highlighted that Christian mission schools prioritize academic excellence, discipline, and moral formation within a Christian worldview. They warned that permitting separate religious practices could fracture the communal unity and shared values that have produced graduates who uphold the schools’ virtues and service ethos.
The Christian Council affirmed its commitment to preserving the moral and disciplinary standards that have made mission schools pillars of integrity and responsibility in Ghana’s education system.