The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has expressed strong disappointment over recent remarks by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, warning schools not to infringe on students’ rights to practice their religion.
The Conference described the minister’s comments as unnecessary, saying they risk reopening tensions that religious bodies had recently resolved.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, the Minister of Education emphasised that no child should be prevented from practising their chosen faith, stating that the Ministry would not tolerate any infringement on students’ religious rights.
His remarks followed a Supreme Court directive asking Wesley Girls’ Senior High School to respond to claims that it restricts Muslim students from observing aspects of their faith—a suit filed by private legal practitioner Shafic Osman.
Speaking to Citi News, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, said all major religious groups—including Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, SDAs, and even the Police Service—signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) three months ago to manage religious tolerance in schools.
“It is very unfortunate. We don’t know why the Minister has resurrected issues that have already been settled. Barely three months ago, all religious bodies signed an MoU on religious tolerance.
“The Director-General of the Ghana Education Service also signed, and this document was to guide the reopening of schools,” he said.
Most Rev. Gyamfi explained that under the MoU, schools established by religious bodies must operate according to their founding ethos, values, and philosophy, while ensuring minority faiths are not discriminated against and are granted reasonable space to practise their religion.
“If parents choose a Catholic school, they must understand the ethos that governs that school. Catholics will not abandon their principles so that every religion is practised anyhow.
“Similarly, if a Catholic child goes to a Muslim or Presbyterian school, they must respect that school’s rules. Otherwise, schools become ungovernable.”
The Bishop said he was surprised that the Minister would reignite a debate already resolved through dialogue and consensus.
“I am a little surprised he would go back to Parliament to make those statements. I don’t know what he was trying to achieve other than to awaken misunderstandings or religious conflict.
“Our politicians must be very careful not to use religion in ways that create problems for the country. We already have enough challenges,” he cautioned.
He stressed that religious bodies remain committed to the MoU and see no need to revisit matters already settled.
“For us, nothing is going to change. What we agreed upon is what will govern our schools. So why resurrect this issue?” he questioned.
The Bishops insist that the agreed framework already addresses all concerns and should guide stakeholders moving forward.
