Thu, 11 Dec 2025 Feature Article

Mission Schools And Religious Rights: A Constitutional Debate In Ghana

Ghana’s long-standing partnership between the State and Christian mission schools has re-emerged in national discourse, as debates intensify over whether these schools must accommodate Islamic religious practices, particularly the creation of prayer spaces or the modification of long-established Christian devotions. A recent opinion asserts that while Ghana is deeply committed to the protection of religious freedom, this commitment does not extend to compelling Christian mission schools to alter their foundational religious identity.

At the centre of the public debate lies a critical question: Can Muslim students legally require Christian mission schools (institutions historically founded, funded, and administered by Christian missions) to reshape their ethos to accommodate Islamic religious practices? The legal analysis suggests that although students hold full constitutional rights to freedom of religion, equality, and access to education, these rights do not grant them the authority to redefine the character of an institution into which they voluntarily enrol.

The 1992 Constitution guarantees freedom of religion under Article 21(1)(c). However, as emphasised by the Supreme Court in Republic v. Tommy Thompson Books Ltd, constitutional rights are not limitless. They may be reasonably restricted to safeguard public order, institutional identity, and the rights of others. In this context, Christian mission schools maintain the constitutional right to uphold their Christian ethos so long as their regulations are reasonable, neutral, and non-discriminatory.

Mission schools occupy a distinctive legal and historical position in Ghana’s education system. Rooted in missionary work, they were established to promote Christian moral and educational development long before State involvement. Today, although the Government supports and regulates these schools, the Education Act, 2008 (Act 778), and the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), affirm the missions’ proprietorship and preserve their authority over religious direction and institutional culture.

This autonomy was further reinforced in Eshun v. Attorney-General, where the Supreme Court affirmed that private and mission institutions may regulate their internal affairs, provided their rules do not contravene constitutional provisions. Accordingly, school policies that preserve Christian practices, such as morning devotions or prohibitions crafted for health and safety, do not amount to discrimination under Article 17 when applied uniformly and without targeting any religious group.

Some argue that refusing Islamic prayer spaces infringes on Muslim students’ rights. However, critical legal analysis refutes this view. Students may privately practise their religion and are not denied access to education. What the Constitution does not grant is the power to transform the religious character of an institution whose identity was established long before their enrolment.

Comparative Commonwealth jurisprudence strengthens this reasoning. In Syndicat Northcrest v. Amselem, the Supreme Court of Canada clarified that individual religious rights must be balanced against institutional integrity. Likewise, U.S. Jurisprudence such as Roberts v. The United States Jaycees underscores the doctrine of voluntary association, where individuals who join an institution implicitly accept its foundational norms unless those norms violate constitutional guarantees.

In conclusion, the legal landscape strongly supports the view that Christian mission schools are within their constitutional rights to maintain their Christian religious identity without violating student rights. Ghana’s constitutional commitment to religious freedom coexists with respect for institutional autonomy, ensuring that mission schools need not surrender their founding ethos in the name of religious accommodation. As long as school rules are neutral, uniformly applied, and pursue legitimate educational objectives, they remain constitutionally sound.

This debate is likely to continue, but the legal principles remain clear: Ghana’s democracy protects both individual freedoms and the autonomy of long-standing educational institutions. Safeguarding this balance is essential to maintaining the integrity of the country’s diverse educational and constitutional heritage.

Dr. Collins Tetteh Abeni, was the Acting Registrar of Offinso College of Education, combining leadership in academia with Methodist ministry. He holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and professional certifications as a Chartered Management Consultant (CMC) and Chartered Administrator (ChPA). An exp. More ABENI, COLLINS TETTEH
Offinso College of Education, P. O. Box 7, Offinso- Ashanti, Ghana
Mobile : 0202-233902, 0261-546102, 0245754851, 0505085674, 0243-307866
E-mail : [email protected]

CAREER OBJECTIVE/ LIFE GOAL
To be a very dedicated and refined Lecturer (teacher) who will seize all opportunities to impart knowledge and wisdom for the good of my environment/ community
Become a top-notch Administrator, Manager or Leader who shall lead by Example for the successful Initiation and Leadership for Change
Responding to the Call, I aim to be a Spirit-filled and Spirit-Led Methodist Reverend Minister poised to carried out the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 16-20)

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
Date Award
Degrees:
2021- 2024 Doctor of Philosophy (Educational Leadership)
2014-2016 Master of Philosophy (Educational Leadership)
2007-2011 Bachelor of Education (Management)
2002-2005 Senior Secondary School Certificate

Certificates:
2020-2020 Graphic Design (Corel Draw Graphic Suites 2020)
2020-2020 Video Editing
2019-2019 3D & 5D Epoxy floor, Biogas, Biofil Digister, Pesticide, Organic Fertilizer, Plastic to Diesel, Moringa Bread, Moringa Ice Cream, Carrot Soap, and Herbicide
2018-2019 Certificcate in Biblical Studies
2015-2015 School of Healing & Deliverance
2013-2013 Pastoral Counselling
2011-2012 National Service, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Bachelor of Education (Management)
2010-2010 Local Preachers’ Certificate

Certificate of Service:
2009-2011 Media and Publicity Team
2007-2011 Bible Studies Wing
Professional:
2023-2024 Chartered Management Consultant (CMC)
2022-2023 Chartered Professional Administrator (ChPA)

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
2021- 2024 Akenten Appiah-Menka University Kumasi Ghana
2014-2016 University of Educ., Winneba-K’si Kumasi Ghana
2007-2011 University of Cape Coast Cape Coast Ghana
2002-2005 Opoku Ware Senior High Santasi-K’si Ghana

Certificates:
2020-2020 TA Digital Concepts Ltd. Accra, Asheley Botwe
2020-2020 TA Digital Concepts Ltd. Accra, Asheley Botwe
2019-2019 Biogas Expert Engineering Kumasi, Ghana
2018-2019 Christian Service Univ. College Santasi, Kumasi
2015-2015 School of Healing & Deliverance,
Scrpture Union-Ghana, Sekyere-Odumasi, Ash.-Gh.
2013-2013 Pastorial Councilling Institute Accra, Ghana
2011-2012 National Service (Ministry of
Food and Agriculture) Nsuta, Ashanti Region
2010-2010 The Methodist Church Ghana Ghana

Certificate of Service:
2009-2011 Media and Publicity Team Ghana Methodist Students’ Union (GHAMSU)- University of Cape Coast
2007-2011 Bible Studies Wing Ghana Methodist Students’ Union (GHAMSU)- University of Cape Coast
Professional:
2023-2024 Chartered Management
Consultant (CMC) Accra, Ghana
2022-2023 Chartered Professinal
Administrator (ChPA) Accra, Ghana

PUBLICATIONS
Amazon Book- Mending Your Marriage: The Christian Vision of Restoration

Teacher Education Journal Position Paper- Ensuring Democratic Accountability in CENTSAG Leadership
Open Journal of Educational Research (OJER) Article- An Appraisal of Teachers’ Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation in Ghana: :Leadership for Leaning

WORKSHOPS ATTENDED:
29th April-1st May, 2025 Post-Migration Sensitisation Workshop for the College of Education; Wesley College of Education, Kumasi
May, 2024 Regional Stakeholder Engagement on the Secondary Education
Curriculum
April, 2024 Secondary Education Curriculum Development Engagement Session with PRINCOF no Subject Combination, Tomreik Hotel, East Lagon, Accra
25th November, 2023 Reshaping Education: Aligning Assessment with Curriculum and Delivery, and the role of Professionals in Reshaping the Process of Education, Accra- Ghana
September, 2021 Capacity Building Workshop on Research and Publication for Tutors in UCC Affiliated Colleges of Education, Offonso College- Ashanti
November, 2022 Communications training for College Secretaries and Public Relations Officers (PRO) of the 46 public Colleges of Education in Ghana.

AWARDS:
March, 2013 (Picture attached) Bible Quiz & Sword Drill in Empowerment Service Competition, YMD-Gethsemane Methodist, Tanoso-Kumasi

SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Computer literate
Creative and innovative
Good communicative skills
Good interpersonal/ Human relationship
Ability to work with others
Ability to work with minimal or no supervision
Ability to guide and counsel
Quick to learn and adapt

STRENGTH
Visionary and Focused
Orderliness
Versatility
Resourcefulness
Principled
Inquisitive minded
Meticulousness
Self-motivation
God fearing

INTERESTS
Teaching
Administration/ Management
Researching
Reading
Writing
Sharing
Public Speaking

POSITIONS HELD ORGANISATION DATE
Professional:
Ag. College Registrar Offinso College of Education 03/ 2025 - Date
Head of Unit Principal’s Secretariat 08/ 2024 - 02/2025
Secretary, some College Committees Offinso College of Educatoon 2022- Date
Secretary, ASHBA - Zone College of Education Non-Teaching Staff Association, Ghana 10/ 2024- Date
Chairman, CENTSAG-OFCE College of Education Non-Teaching Staff Association, Ghana 08/ 2022- Date
Acting Secretary,CENTSAG- OFCE College of Education Non-Teaching Staff Association, Ghana 08/ 2021- Date
Chairman Assets Committee, S. D. A. Senior High 2019- July, 2021

Religious:
Special Assistant, MDF Coordinator Offinso Circuit, Methodist Church 2024- Date
Member- Coordination
Office for Educ. & Youth Freeman Methodist, Kokote- Offinso 2025- Date
Secretary, Harvest Committee Freeman Methodist, Kokote- Offinso 2025- Date
Secretary, Welfare Committee Freeman Methodist, Kokote- Offinso 2025- Date
Member, Men’s Fellowship Freeman Methodist, Kokote- Offinso 2024- Date
Member, Ushering Department Freeman Methodist, Kokote- Offinso 2024- Date
Member- Coordination
Office for Ministry Freeman Methodist, Kokote- Offinso 2024- Date
Assistant Auditor Asamankama Methoddist, Offinso-Ashanti 2022-2023
Treasurer Mens’ Fellowship, Wesley Methodist, Bekwai-Ash 2019-2021
Member, Leaders’ Meeting Methodist Church, Tanoso-Kumasi,
Abuabo No. 1, Adansi North Municipal, Ashanti
Bekwai- Ashanti, Offinso-Ashanti 2012- Date
Secretary, Atwea Committee GHAMSU, UCC 2010
Member, Students’ in
Church Evangelism(SICE)
Committee GHAMSU, UCC 2009
Member, Bible Study Wing,
Prayer Tower,
Wesleyan Theater,
Organising Wing GHAMSU, UCC 2008-2011

WORKING EXPERIENCE

Reviewer March 2025- Date
Learning environment Research Journal

Ag. College Registrar 1st March, 2025- Date
Offinso College of Education Offinso- Ashanti

Assistant College Registrar March, 2025- Date
Offinso College of Education Offinso- Ashanti

Part-Time Lecturer 2022-Date
UEW, CoDEL , Offinso Center Winneba- Central Reg.

Part-Time Lecturer 2023
UCC Sandwitch Programme, Christ the King
College of Education Center, Kumasi- Ashanti

Part-Time Lecturer 2022-Date
Jackson University College, Techiman Center Kumasi- Ashanti

Offinso College of Education Offinso- Ashanti
Assistant College Secretary July, 2021-Feb. 2025

Subject teacher: Business Management Sept., 2018- Aug. 2021
Personal Assistant, Assistant Headmaster (Administration)
S. D. A. Senior High School Bekwai, Bekwai- Ashanti

Subject teacher: English Language September, 2016-2018
Kokofu M/A Junior High School Kokofu, Bekwai- Ashanti

Class Teacher: Class Six May, 2013 –2016
Nkonsa D/A Primary School Nkonsa, Adansi-North Dist.

Subject Teacher: Religious and Moral Education Nov., 2012 – July, 2013
Abraham Lincoln International School Abuakwa-Manhyia, Ashanti

Subject Teacher: Religious and Moral Education November, 2012 – July, 2013
Abraham Lincoln International School Abuakwa-Manhyia
National Service October, 2011- July, 2012
Ministry of food And Agriculture Nsuta- Ashanti Region
Teaching Assistant : Business Management July, 2011
Yaa Asantewaa Girls Senior High Tanoso-Kumasi
Teaching Assistant : Business Management July- August 2011
Yaa Asantewaa Girls Senior High Remedial Classes TweneboaKodua J.H.S, Abuakwa-K’si
Teaching Assistant : Office Procedures (Practical) July-August 2011
Government Secretarial School I.P.T-Kumasi
Attachment: Accounts Clerk July 2010
Appeal Court Adum-Kumasi
Off-Campus Teaching Practice: Business Management June 2010
YaaAsantewaa Senior High Tanoso-Kumasi
Teacher: Religious and Moral Studies; Social studies August 2006-July 2007
Great Achievers’ Educational Centre Tanoso-Kumasi

ACHIEVEMENTS AS ASSISTANT COLLEGE SECRETARY
1.Proposed a number of College Policies (including Disciplinary Policy; Correspondence, Documents Handling, and Students’ Records Policy; Office Holders Handing-Over Policy, etc.)
2.Team leader for proposing and securing a website for the College.
3.Team member for Development of a five (5) development plan for the College.
4.Patron Circuit Singing Band
5.Patron Freeman Society Singing Band, Kokote
6.Patron Freeman Society Boys and Girls Brigade, Kokote

REFEREES

Mr. Ernest Tsikata
Quality Assurance Officer
Offinso College of Education
[email protected]
0243 104 113/ 0201 809 902
Prof. Fredrick K. Sarfo
The then Dean of Faculty of Education and Communication Sciences; University of Education, Winneba-Kumasi
Now Vice Chancellor AAMUSTED
0205-111910
Very Rev. Dominic Sangmoah
Former Minister-in-Charge
Freeman Methodist, Kokote
[email protected]
0241 426 949 Prof. Isaac Boateng
Pro Vice Chancelor
AAMUSTED
Kumasi- Ghana
[email protected]
0203496339
Very Rev. Samuel Owusu Afriyie
Former Minister-in-Charge
Wesley Methodist, Bekwai-Ashanti
[email protected]
0243-777563/ 0207 456130 Prof. Stephen Baffour Adjei, PhD
Head of Department
Educational Leadership Department
AAMUSTED
Kumasi- Ghana
[email protected]
0554 973 575

Very Rev. Samuel Dontoh
Minister-in-Charge
Asamankama Methodist,Offinso-Ashanti
[email protected]
0244-594 551
Dr. Lydia Osei-Amankwah
Head of Department
Educational Leadership Department
AAMUSTED
Kumasi- Ghana
02447 677 22/ 0508 811 555
Very Rev. Samuel Ofori Andam
Former Minister-In-Charge
Gethsemane Methodist, Tanoso-Kumasi
[email protected]
0244-964881/0208-766824
Prof. Kofi P. Quan- Baffour
Lecturer
Educational Leadership Department
AAMUSTED, Kumasi- Ghana
[email protected]
0507 128 861/ 0209 949 543

Very Rev. Samuel F. Coffie
Former Minister in Charge
Gethsemane Methodist, Tanoso-Kumasi
O244 334 653/ 020 813 3109
Prof. Samuel Asare Amoah
Part- Time Lecturer
Educational Leadership Department
AAMUSTED
Kumasi- Ghana
[email protected]
0208 131 469/ 0270 544 962
Rev. Fr. Dr. Francis K. Sam
Past Head of Department
University of Education,Winneba-Kumasi
Department of Educational Leadership
0277-871700
Mr. Isaac Owusu
Headmaster
Kokofu M/A Junior High School
Kokofu, Bekwai Municipal
0243 129 497/ 0541 348 225
Prof. Francis Owusu-Mensah, PhD
Part- Time Lecturer
Educational Leadership Department
AAMUSTED
Kumasi- Ghana
[email protected]
0246 0441 301
Mr. Kofi Anane Afoakwa
Former Headmaster
S. D. A. Senior High School
Bekwai-Ashanti
[email protected]
0249-702 253/ 0208-188 910

Prof. Kankam Boadu
University of Cape Coast
Cape Coast- Ghana
0244708348
Dr. Michael Aboagye
Lecturer
AAMUSTED
Kumasi- Ghana
0549 015037
Dr. Kofi Yeboah Asiamah
Lecturer
AAMUSTED
Kumasi- Ghana
0244857631 Mr. Francis Manu
Former President (2009-2010)
Ghana Methodist Students’ Union (GHAMSU)
UCC

Dr. Samuel Aboagye
Lecturer
AAMUSTED
Kumasi- Ghana
0208 150 198/ 0268 593 456 Mrs. Elizabeth Annan-Prah
University of Cape Coast
Lecturer, School of Business
0208 628 899

Mr. Hagan
Former Head of Business Department
Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ Senior High
0243832759

Column: Collins Tetteh Abeni

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Mission Schools And Religious Rights: A Constitutional Debate In Ghana

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