The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has expressed strong disappointment with recent comments by the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, cautioning schools against infringing on students’ rights to practice their religion.
According to the Conference, the minister’s comments were superfluous and ran the risk of rekindling conflicts that religious organisations had just settled.
Speaking to Parliament on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, the education minister emphasised that every Ghanaian student’s rights must be upheld regardless of their beliefs and cautioned that no child should be prohibited from practising their chosen religion.
He emphasised that any violation of students’ religious liberties would not be accepted by the Ministry.
Speaking to Citi News in an interview, 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 outlining how religious tolerance should be managed 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.
He clarified that in accordance with the MoU, schools founded by religious organizations must be permitted to function in accordance with their original ethos, values, and philosophy while guaranteeing that minority faiths are not subjected to discrimination and are given appropriate space to practice their faith.
“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.”
Most Rev. Gyamfi said he was surprised that the Minister would reignite a debate that religious leaders have 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.
NKONKONSA.com
