- President Mahama met with the Conference of Regional Chief Imams on September 11, 2025.
- He stressed that no student should be compelled to practice a religion against their will.
- The government is addressing controversies in mission schools regarding religious practices.
- A dialogue process, led by the Interior Ministry, has produced agreements promoting tolerance.
- Chief Imams praised Mahama for past promises, including an extra holiday for Eid al-Fitr.
- The President’s stance aims to ensure fairness and peaceful coexistence in schools nationwide.
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s position that students in Ghana must never be coerced into practicing religions that go against their personal beliefs, regardless of the type of school they attend.
The President made this clear during a meeting with the Conference of Regional Chief Imams at the Jubilee House on September 11, 2025. The engagement centered on strengthening religious harmony and addressing long-standing concerns over the treatment of students in mission-run schools.
The discussion comes in the wake of growing national debate about faith-related restrictions and practices imposed in certain schools, particularly those operated by religious missions. President Mahama emphasized that Ghana’s 1992 Constitution upholds freedom of religion and the right to express one’s faith. He cautioned that schools should never become places where young people are pressured to abandon or conceal their spiritual identity.
The President pointed out the difficulties that arise in communities where one religious body dominates the educational landscape. He argued that while Christian students should not be forced to adopt Islam in Muslim-run schools, Muslim students in Christian schools should also not be compelled to hide their beliefs.
To address these challenges, Mahama revealed that the Minister of the Interior has initiated a nationwide dialogue process. This effort has already produced Memoranda of Understanding designed to promote fairness, encourage tolerance, and ensure mutual respect among students of all religious backgrounds.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the Conference of Regional Chief Imams to commend the President for keeping his promises to the Muslim community. Alhaji Sullah Abdullah Quandah, the Secretary to the body, expressed appreciation for government’s support, highlighting Mahama’s previous fulfillment of commitments such as declaring an additional Eid al-Fitr holiday. He also offered prayers for the President’s plans to strengthen the educational and human resource capacity of Muslims across Ghana.
The Conference, which operates under the leadership of the National Chief Imam, serves as the umbrella body for all Regional Chief Imams and continues to play a key role in fostering unity among Ghana’s Muslim leadership.
