Ghana’s Supreme Court has ruled that policies at Wesley Girls’ High School restricting Muslim students from practicing their faith are unconstitutional. The landmark decision comes after a lawsuit was filed by private legal practitioner Shafic Osman, alleging the school’s policies discriminated against Muslim students.
The school, founded by the Methodist Church, had been accused of enforcing rules that prohibited Muslim students from wearing the hijab, fasting during Ramadan, and participating in other Islamic practices. The court has now declared these restrictions unconstitutional, violating the students’ right to freedom of religion.
The Attorney-General’s office had argued that the school was within its rights to enforce rules aligned with its religious identity, but the Supreme Court disagreed. The decision is seen as a significant victory for religious freedom and the rights of Muslim students in Ghana.