The Attorney General, Dominic Ayine, has filed a court response arguing that Wesley Girls Senior High School, a Methodist institution, is entitled to enforce rules aligned with its Christian heritage, despite allegations that they infringe on students’ religious freedoms. The case, brought by lawyer Shafic Osman, claims the school’s ban on hijabs, fasting, and other non-Christian practices violates Ghana’s Constitution (Articles 17, 21, and 26).
Critics are outraged. “It’s disappointing that we’re debating this in 2024,” said a (link unavailable) editorial. “If a school receives public funds, it must uphold the Constitution—not impose one faith on all. The state should stop subsidizing institutions that discriminate.” The debate raises urgent questions about religious freedom, equality, and the role of public funding in faith-based schools.
The Supreme Court will rule on the matter, but many Ghanaians are asking: Should taxpayer money support schools that exclude students based on their beliefs?