The Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has stressed that government will ensure no student is deprived of their right to practice their religion in any secondary school.
He was reacting to claims that Muslim students at the Wesley Girls High school are being prevented from practising their religion — the central issue in a suit filed by private legal practitioner, Shafic Osman.
The Supreme Court has given the school 14 days to respond to the claims to pave way for the determination of the substantive matter.
Speaking on the floor of parliament on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Mr. Iddrisu stated that any action that denies students of their religious rights will not be countenanced.
“Mr. Speaker, let me also use this opportunity in debating the Budget since I speak as the present Minister for Education that there is some ongoing debate on restriction of Muslim students in Wesley Girls which conflicts with International Human Rights standard and even standard expected of us in Ghana’s constitution under Article 33(5) and 26(1) of the constitution.
“And then to assure or colleagues that we have a duty to uphold the rights of every Ghanaian child and citizen. No right is divisible and that we will not countenance any action by any person to deny any Ghanaian girl the opportunity to practice any religion,” he stated.
Background
The Supreme Court has given Wesley Girls’ Senior High School 14 days to respond to specific allegations of human rights abuses made against it.
The 7 member panel presided over by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang observed that factual allegations that the school compels students to attend to Christian services and perform Christian practices, and that the school prevents non-Christian students from practicing their religion.
Describing the allegations as more vexatious and gravious, President of the Court, Justice Pwamang said the school must respond to the specific allegations made before the case can proceed.
The plaintiff, Shaffic Osman is before the court accusing the School of abusing the rights of its students to practice their chosen religions.
The Court in its ruling said Wesley Girls may respond to the allegations if minded to.
Meanwhile the Court has also granted civil rights advocacy grou, Democracy Hub leave to supply information that would help the court in the matter.
The court has subsequently adjourned the case indefinitely to enable the parties meet all the orders given.
Members of the Court were Justices Gabriel Scott Pwamang Presiding, RichardAdjei Frimpong, Yaw Darko Asare, Senyo Dzamefeh, Philip Bright Mensah, Janapare Bartels Kodzo, Kwaku Tawiah Ackaah Boafo.
