What have you observed about the recent contention surrounding Wesley Girls?

Everyone everywhere in Ghana now is busily advancing an argument in favour or against whether or not muslim girls should be allowed to fast in the school. I beg to differ with both proposers and opposers of this religious bone of contention. Did I just say “religious bone of contention”. What a cheap thought that is! It’s rather a socio-cultural matter. It should never have been debatable because

-Wesley Girls was established by the Methodist Church but it’s currently being run by the government of Ghana with monies accrued from taxes paid by the parents of those girls.

-Article 21(1((c) of the 1992 constitution provides for freedom of worship.

-Wesley Girls like any other organised institution, has it’s own rules and regulations and under no circumstances MUST those rules be SUPERORDINATE to that of a government parastatal like GES and not to talk of the 1992 constitution of Ghana. Let us remember that the 1992 constitution sacredly upholds its SUPREMACY by stating categorically that any law found to be inconsistent with it (92 constitution) shall be null and void.

Come to think of it, why must we consider laws that were made over 180 years ago this SACROSANCT?

Wow! Just two decades away to two centuries.

180 years ago, there was imperialism in Ghana.

180 years ago, there was segregation in South Africa

180 years ago, there was segregation in America.

180 years ago, women could not vote in America.

180 years ago, a black man could not be the president of America.

All these were laws, but they have been reformed. What is the point here? We are human beings and times change as well. Therefore, we can make mistakes and that which was relevant yesterday might lose its relevance today. You don’t expect everything to be right with the laws established by people who had the intention of making you subservient to themselves by a way of colonisation.

Anyway, let me pause here and state my point.

The systematic and diplomatic by muslims to this delicate issue is the reason why kids should not be discriminated upon. So far, almost all muslims and well-wishers who seek redress of the issue have been circumspect and professional in their actions and inactions. These individuals include the National Chief Imam, muslim caucus in parliament and other intellectual individuals. Let us assume that the aforementioned people were not educated and therefore did not understand very well the situation. Perhaps, it was religious discrimination or discrimination of some kind that marred their education. How do you think they would have responded to this issue? Maybe, I need to remind you of the actions of some youth towards Owusu Bempah when he prophesized the death of the National Chief Imam so you can appreciate my argument.

In essence, someone that completes a school like Wesley Girls’ will scarcely really to vandalism to get their grievances addressed.

MOOMIN ABDULAI SENSEW

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0203219297