Christian Council Calls for Reforms to Protect Religious Freedom in Mission Schools

The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) has called for reforms to protect the religious rights of students in mission-founded schools while allowing the institutions to maintain their religious identity and traditions.

The Council said the proposed reforms should ensure that students are not discriminated against because of their religious beliefs without undermining the values and principles upon which mission schools were established.

The call was made by the Immediate Past Presiding Bishop of The Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev. Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, at a forum organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in Accra to discuss recommendations contained in the Constitutional Review Committee’s report.

According to Most Rev. Dr Boafo, Ghana’s 1992 Constitution guarantees both the right to education and freedom of religion, making it necessary for educational institutions to respect these rights.

He explained that Article 25 of the Constitution protects the right to education, while Article 21 guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, belief and religion.

The Council consequently welcomed proposals by the Constitutional Review Committee to strengthen safeguards against religious discrimination in schools.

The proposed protections cover student admissions, boarding arrangements, disciplinary procedures, student leadership and participation in school activities.

Most Rev. Dr Boafo acknowledged the significant contribution of mission-founded schools to Ghana’s educational development, particularly in promoting literacy, moral education and responsible citizenship.

He, however, maintained that institutions receiving public funding must operate in accordance with the constitutional rights of students, regardless of their religious backgrounds.

At the same time, the Council argued that protecting students’ religious freedoms should not require mission schools to abandon their established religious traditions.

It therefore called for a balanced approach that allows schools to preserve their religious character and practices, provided these do not violate the constitutional rights of students.

The Christian Council further urged policymakers to establish clear constitutional provisions governing the relationship between religious freedom and education to prevent discrimination while preserving the historical identity of mission-founded schools.

The Council reaffirmed its support for education as a national development priority and called for reforms that promote religious tolerance, equal educational opportunities and respect for constitutional rights.