Recent public discussions concerning religious practices within faith-based schools in Ghana call for clarity, calm reflection, and principled leadership.
At the heart of this matter lies a foundational issue: parental choice, contractual understanding, and respect for institutional ethos.
Ghana is a constitutionally secular state that guarantees freedom of religion under the 1992 Constitution. This freedom operates in two complementary directions:
- The right of individuals to practise their faith.
- The right of institutions—lawfully established—to operate according to their declared religious identity and mission.
Faith-based schools, including Christian schools, are established with a clear spiritual foundation. Their identity is not incidental; it is structural. Their ethos shapes:
- Morning assemblies and devotions
- Prayer and worship practices
- Religious instruction
- Moral formation
- Institutional values and disciplinary frameworks
Parents who voluntarily enrol their children in such institutions do so with full knowledge of this spiritual character. Admission forms, school prospectuses, and parent contracts typically outline the school’s Christian foundation, expectations regarding participation in devotions, and alignment with its guiding values.
Respecting Institutional Integrity
In a pluralistic society, diversity must not result in the erosion of identity. Ghana hosts a wide range of educational institutions:
- Christian mission schools
- Islamic schools
- Secular public schools
- International and private academies
Each exists to serve different communities and convictions. Respect for diversity means respecting difference—not diluting it.
A Christian school cannot cease to be Christian without undermining its founding purpose. Just as Islamic schools preserve Islamic identity and practices, Christian schools are entitled to preserve Christian doctrine, worship, and devotional life within their institutions.
The Principle of Informed Choice
The matter is fundamentally one of informed parental choice. When families select a faith-based school:
- They are choosing not only academic instruction
- But also spiritual formation consistent with that institution’s faith tradition
If a parent does not wish their child to participate in Christian devotions or faith practices, Ghana’s educational landscape provides alternative options aligned with their convictions. The solution to diversity is availability—not institutional compromise.
Contractual and Legal Considerations
Where parents have signed admission agreements acknowledging:
- The Christian character of the school
- Participation in assemblies, prayers, and religious instruction
- The institution’s governance framework
Those agreements carry legal and ethical weight. Respecting contractual commitments protects stability, fairness, and institutional continuity.
Promoting Peace and Mutual Respect
This issue must not be framed as interfaith hostility. Ghana has long been a model of religious coexistence. The goal is not exclusion, but clarity. Not suppression, but respect. Not dominance, but order.
True tolerance allows:
- Muslims to practise Islam freely.
- Christians to practise Christianity freely.
- Faith-based institutions to operate consistently with their founding vision.
Mutual respect is sustainable only when identities are honoured—not erased.
A Call for Constructive Dialogue
We encourage continued:
- Calm engagement between school authorities and parents
- Clear communication of institutional policies
- Respect for signed agreements
- Legal guidance where necessary
- National commitment to peaceful coexistence
Faith schools are not public-neutral spaces; they are convictional communities. Those who choose them must be prepared to respect their ethos.
Ghana’s strength lies not in forcing uniformity, but in allowing conviction with dignity.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com