The Minister of Education, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, has urged schools nationwide to respect students' religious rights, allowing them to freely practice their faith without hindrance.
He emphasized that every Ghanaian child is entitled to constitutional rights and freedoms, including the right to religious expression.
Speaking during the 2025 Eid-ul-Fitr prayers with the Ambariyya Muslim sect in Tamale on Monday, March 31, the Minister highlighted the need for educational institutions to embrace religious diversity. He also cautioned against school policies that restrict students from observing their faith.
"As Ghana’s Minister for Education, I want to make it clear that every Ghanaian child has the full rights and freedoms guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution. No Islamic or Christian school has the authority to prevent any child from practicing their chosen religion. Such actions are unacceptable and will face appropriate sanctions," he stated.
His remarks follow concerns raised by the Ghana Muslim Students Association on Saturday, March 29, regarding Saint Roses Senior High School in Akwatia, Eastern Region. The school reportedly barred Muslim students from going home to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, despite an official directive from the Ghana Education Service permitting them to do so.
Addressing the controversy, Minister Iddrisu reaffirmed the government's commitment to safeguarding students' constitutional rights. He also called on all educational institutions to recognize and uphold religious freedoms, ensuring that no student is discriminated against based on their beliefs.
"Whether it is an Islamic or Christian school, they must acknowledge and respect every Ghanaian child's right to practice their chosen religion," he concluded.
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