The Director of the Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies in Nima, Imam Mohammed Sani, has urged the government to take concrete action to safeguard religious freedom in schools.
Speaking on the issue, he stressed that religious interference in educational institutions has persisted for too long and requires firm intervention.
“Ghana belongs to all of us—Christians, Muslims, and people of other faiths. It is time we respect each other’s beliefs and ensure strong policies that prevent discrimination,” he stated.
His comments come amid growing concerns about religious restrictions in schools, despite Ghana’s commitment to religious tolerance.
In recent years, several cases have sparked national debates, including the 2021 Wesley Girls’ High School controversy, where Muslim students were prohibited from fasting during Ramadan.
More recently, the Ghana Muslim Students Association raised concerns over Saint Roses Senior High School’s decision to deny Muslim students permission to go home for Eid-Ul-Fitr.
These incidents have highlighted the need for clearer regulations to uphold religious freedoms.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting religious rights, warning that no school has the authority to impose religious restrictions on students.
He emphasized that Ghana’s secular nature must be upheld and that discrimination based on faith will not be tolerated. However, Imam Sani insists that verbal assurances are not enough.
“The government must act, not just talk,” he urged, calling for immediate steps to ensure religious harmony in all schools.
