Rastafarian students High Court ruling: Achimota School to appeal

The Achimota School has directed its lawyers to appeal against the recent Rastafarian students High Court ruling that called on the school to admit the two Rastafarian students, Tyrone Marhguy and Oheneba Nkrabea.

In the statement issued by the Achimota School Governing Board, the School said it did not agree with the court’s decision which ordered the school to enroll the two students.

Rastafarian students High Court ruling

“The court ruled that the religious rights of the two applicants had been violated by the School Management as they sought to enforce the time-tested and well-known rules of the School.

“The Court further directed the School to admit the two applicants. The school Board disagrees with the ruling of the Court” parts of the statement said.

The Accra High Court, on Monday, May 31 instructed the Achimota School to admit the two Rastafarian students who were earlier on denied admission because of their dreadlocks.

Justice Gifty Adjei Addo who presided over the case held that Achimota School’s failure to admit the two students because of their dreadlocks, which is a manifestation of their religious right, is a violation of their human rights, right to education, and dignity.

Tyrone Marhguy and Oheneba Nkrabea sued the Achimota School for denying them admission however, the Education Watch has advised the students to seek admission in another school.

They, therefore, wanted the Court to declare that denying them admission violates their right to dignity and right to education as guaranteed under Articles 25 (1)(b), 28 (4) in Ghana’s Constitution.

“…that the failure and or refusal of the 1st Respondent [The Achimota School], to admit or enroll the Applicant on the basis of his Rastafarian religious inclination, beliefs, and culture…is a violation of his fundamental human rights and freedoms guaranteed under the 1992 Constitution,” one of the reliefs read.