Wesley Girls Brouhaha: Islamic Scholar blasts Attorney General, praises Education Minister

Islamic scholar Dr. Abdul-Muhsin Baafi has expressed concern over the Attorney General’s handling of the ongoing controversy at Wesley Girls’ Senior High School (SHS), questioning why the office has not identified legal issues with the school’s restrictions on Muslim students’ religious practices.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Dr. Baafi described the limitations as contradictory to constitutional protections and stressed that the Attorney General is mandated to uphold the rule of law and defend citizens against acts of discrimination.

At the same time, Dr. Baafi lauded the Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, for what he called a “firm and principled” stance on the issue. He praised the Minister’s insistence that the school’s policies conflict with international human rights standards and described the intervention as a demonstration of leadership grounded in justice, equality, and respect for constitutional freedoms.

Dr. Baafi emphasized that Ghana’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and the right of every individual to practice their faith, particularly within public institutions such as senior high schools. He called for schools to remain inclusive environments that respect and protect the rights of all students, regardless of religious background.

“At a time when national cohesion and respect for diversity are essential, it is reassuring to see the Ministry of Education adopt a balanced and rights-centered approach,” he said.

The scholar expressed hope that the Minister’s leadership would guide the development of policies promoting equity, tolerance, and full enjoyment of religious freedom for students nationwide.

The situation at Wesley Girls’ SHS has sparked widespread public discussions on religious rights, school administration autonomy, and constitutional freedoms in Ghana’s education sector.