Wesley Girls Controversy Deepens: Mahama Drops Bombshell on Religious Rights, Ghanaians React

President Mahama Breaks Silence on Wesley Girls–Muslim Students Saga, Calls for Respect for Religious Diversity.

President John Dramani Mahama has finally spoken publicly about the escalating tension surrounding the alleged restriction of Muslim students’ religious rights at Wesley Girls’ Senior High School—an issue currently before the Supreme Court and one that continues to ignite widespread national debate.

Speaking during a meeting with the National Peace Council on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, President Mahama emphasized that mission schools must respect the religious diversity of students, stressing that the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between faith-based institutions and the Ghana Education Service already outlines clear expectations on religious inclusion.

According to the President, the ongoing dispute should never have occurred if the terms of the MoU had been respected and applied consistently.

“If you read what the faith-based organisations agreed in their MoU, I don’t see any point of dispute. They all accept that mission schools have their faith orientation, but within that orientation, there must be recognition of diversity.”
— President Mahama

He added that although the Supreme Court is yet to make a final determination, the issues raised appear straightforward because the same parties who signed the MoU are now challenging what they committed to.

Background: The Lawsuit Shaking the Education System

The President’s comments follow a lawsuit filed by Shafic Osman, who is accusing Wesley Girls’ SHS of violating the religious rights of Muslim students.

Osman argues that the school:

• Forces Muslim students to attend Christian services

• Restricts Muslim students from freely practising their faith

• Enforces policies inconsistent with the 1992 Constitution

In his suit, Osman is asking the Supreme Court to declare the school’s actions unconstitutional and compel the Ghana Education Service to create constitutionally compliant guidelines on religious practices in public schools.

The Supreme Court has since ordered Wesley Girls’ SHS to officially respond to the claims.

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National Reactions: A Heated Public Conversation

The case has triggered widespread public discussion, with strong opinions from both sides:

• Some Ghanaians argue that mission schools must protect their religious traditions

  

• Others insist that as publicly funded institutions, they must uphold constitutional rights for all students regardless of faith

Human rights groups, religious leaders, parents, and former students have all joined the debate, making it one of the most sensitive education-related conversations in recent years.

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Mahama Calls for Calm and Clarity

President Mahama urged all parties to remain calm while the Supreme Court resolves the matter.

He called for clarity, consistency, and fairness in how school authorities handle religious issues, reminding them that Ghana’s peaceful coexistence depends on respecting personal beliefs.

“It is right there in the MoU… I think the Supreme Court has its work cut out for it.”
— President Mahama

His remarks are being widely shared, particularly by parents and advocacy groups who say his stance reflects Ghana’s longstanding values of tolerance and national unity.