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The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has sharply criticised Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu for comments warning schools not to infringe on students’ religious rights. The bishops say his remarks were unnecessary and risk reopening tensions that religious leaders resolved only three months ago.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, the minister insisted that no student should be prevented from practising their religion, stressing that the Ministry would not tolerate any form of discrimination. His comments came after the Supreme Court directed Wesley Girls’ Senior High School to officially respond to claims that it restricts Muslim students from observing parts of their faith.
Responding to the minister, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, said all major religious groups—including Catholics, Muslims, Protestants, SDAs and the Police Service—recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that outlines how religious tolerance should be managed in schools.
He said the minister’s remarks risk undermining the consensus reached under the MoU, which clearly defines how mission schools should operate.
According to him, mission schools must be allowed to function according to their founding ethos, values and philosophy, while ensuring minority religions are respected and given reasonable space to practise their beliefs.
He added that parents who choose religious schools should understand and respect the rules that govern those institutions, just as students entering schools of other faiths must abide by their guidelines.
Most Rev. Gyamfi questioned why the minister chose to “resurrect an issue that has already been settled,” warning that politicising religion could create unnecessary conflict.
He stressed that religious bodies remain committed to the MoU and see no need to revisit matters that have been resolved through national dialogue.
The Bishops maintain that the agreed framework already addresses all concerns and should guide all stakeholders moving forward.
