Short and Long Hair of SHS Students’ in Ghana

The issue of hair policies in Ghana’s public high schools has once again attracted national attention. The Minister of Education recently reaffirmed the Ghana Education Service (GES) directive that students, especially girls, in public high schools must keep their hair short. This long-standing rule is intended to promote uniformity, discipline, and neatness among students. However, the debate deepened after a landmark court case involving Tyrone Iras Marhguy, a student of Achimota Senior High School in Accra, who was denied admission because of his dreadlocks.

In March 2021, Achimota School refused to admit Tyrone Marhguy and another Rastafarian student, citing their dreadlocks as a violation of the school’s code of conduct. The case was later taken to the Accra High Court - Human Rights Division, which delivered its judgment on May 31, 2021. The court ruled in favor of the students, stating that denying them admission based on their hairclass and religious expression was unconstitutional and violated their rights to education and dignity. This ruling became one of the most significant education-related human rights decisions in Ghana, as it challenged long-standing grooming norms within public schools.

That ruling sparked a national conversation about personal rights, religion, and school discipline. Many Ghanaians argued that while the GES policy is rooted in maintaining order and uniform appearance, it must also evolve to respect cultural and individual identities. Yet, beyond this legal and cultural discussion, one question remains largely unanswered: Why must Ghanaian students strictly adhere to this policy while some foreign students in the same schools are exempted?

If the rule requires that all high school students maintain short hair, then it should apply to all, both Ghanaians and foreigners. Education should be a platform for equality, not selective enforcement. When a Ghanaian student is not allowed to keep long hair, but a foreign student is permitted to do so, it creates a sense of injustice and discrimination. Schools are supposed to be environments that teach fairness, equality, and respect for rules. Unequal enforcement of grooming standards undermines these values.

The tradition of cutting hair in Ghanaian schools dates back to the colonial era, when British-class boarding schools emphasized discipline, hygiene, and uniform appearance. Over time, these grooming rules became part of Ghana’s educational culture. The intent was to minimize class differences, maintain focus on academics, and prevent unnecessary competition over appearance. However, globalization has changed the dynamics. Many international students now attend Ghanaian schools, bringing with them diverse cultures and hairclasss. Still, the principle of equality should remain the same: if short hair is the rule, it must apply to everyone.

Recently, the controversy resurfaced when a video of a Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ Senior High School student being forced to cut her hair went viral on social media in October 2024. The footage showed the visibly distressed new student sitting in a barbering shop while her long hair was being trimmed before she was allowed to report to school. The incident sparked widespread debate across the country, with many citizens, journalists, and education experts questioning the fairness of enforcing hair policies that seem to target Ghanaian students more strictly than foreign students.

In response to the public outcry, the Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, reaffirmed that the GES hair policy remains in effect, insisting that schools must maintain discipline and uniformity. He emphasized that high school is not a beauty contest and that every student must comply with established grooming standards. However, his comments also reignited discussions on whether the policy is being applied equally to both Ghanaian and foreign students.

In several other countries, school grooming policies are enforced equally for both citizens and foreigners. For instance, in Japan, both local and foreign students must follow strict school codes that regulate hairclasss, uniforms, and even shoe colors. Singapore maintains the same discipline policy for all students, regardless of nationality. In India, public and private schools expect all students to wear uniform hairclasss as part of their dress code. Even in South Korea, where the education system is among the most disciplined in the world, rules about appearance are applied to every student without exception. These examples show that fairness in school regulations is both possible and necessary.

Ghana can learn from these systems by reinforcing clarity and consistency in the implementation of the GES policy. The Ministry of Education should clearly state whether exemptions exist for foreign students and, if so, explain the basis for such differences. If the goal is discipline, then equality must guide enforcement. Ghanaian students should not feel disadvantaged in their own schools while others enjoy relaxed rules under the same policies.

Personally, I agree with the principle behind the GES regulation. High school students should maintain neat and modest appearances. No long hair, no long nails, no makeups, no tattoos, and no eyelashes should be allowed, as these can distract from academic focus and uniformity. However, the application of these rules must be fair. The GES and the Ministry of Education must ensure that the same standards apply to all students in public schools, whether Ghanaian or foreign.

True discipline is not just about enforcing rules but about enforcing them fairly. When equality and justice guide policy implementation, students learn more than just academic lessons, they learn the true meaning of fairness, respect, and national integrity.

In conclusion, the issue is not about whether students should have short or long hair but about fairness and consistency in enforcing school policies. The Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education must ensure that every student, whether Ghanaian or foreign, abides by the same grooming standards. When policies appear selective, they create division and resentment instead of discipline.

It is worth noting that this article does not mention the names of any public high schools that allow foreign students to keep long hair, as the intention is not to single out institutions but to draw attention to the broader issue of equal enforcement. Every Ghanaian public school must uphold the same rules for all students without exceptions.

To maintain credibility and social harmony, the Ministry of Education, GES, and school administrations should engage stakeholders, including parents and student associations, in reviewing the current policy framework. Such a dialogue can balance discipline with fairness and preserve the values of equality and respect that Ghana’s education system stands for.

By:
Dr. Owusu Nyarko-Boateng
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

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