Wesley Girls’ Vs. Shafic Osman: Mahama Speaks osn Discrimination Case Against Cape Coast School
- President John Mahama spoke on the religious discrimination lawsuit against Wesley Girls’ Senior High School by Shafic Osman, a lawyer
- Mahama referenced the Memorandum of Understanding on how faith-based schools should be managed, signed by various religious stakeholders
- The case, filed by Shafic Osman in December 2024, has challenged Wesley Girls' alleged restrictions on its Muslim students
President John Mahama has called for respect for diversity in faith-based schools amid the religious discrimination lawsuit against Wesley Girls’ Senior High School by Shafic Osman, a lawyer.
Mahama reminded that public schools had already committed to religious inclusion.
Source: Facebook
Speaking during a meeting with the National Peace Council on December 10, suggested that this was a needless dispute because of the existing agreement.
“We note that somebody has filed a case before the Supreme Court, which has yet to pronounce on the issue. But if you read what the faith-based organisations agreed in their own Memorandum of Understanding, I don’t see the point of this dispute. The MoU explicitly requires recognition of diversity."
Osman filed the lawsuit in December 2024 to challenge the school’s alleged restrictions on Muslim students, including claims that they are barred from wearing the hijab.
He also said there has been opposition to students fasting during Ramadan and to observing other Islamic practices in the school.
The case is anchored on the fact that such discrimination violates constitutional protections like Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Belief and Freedom to Practice and Manifest Religion captured in Article 21 of the Constitution.
The religious establishment has acknowledged the agreement Mahama referenced with the President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, noting that all major religious groups, including Muslims, signed a Memorandum of Understanding earlier in 2025 outlining how religious tolerance should be managed in schools.
But maintained that schools established by religious bodies must be allowed to operate based on their founding ethos.
The Attorney-General's office made a similar argument in its filing on the case, where it is defending Wesley Girls.
The Supreme Court gave the Board of Directors of Wesley Girls Senior High School 14 days from November 25 to respond to the allegations of discrimination.
Support from Education Minister in case
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu also backed religious inclusion amid the discrimination lawsuit against Wesley Girls’ SHS.
Speaking in Parliament on November 25, he stressed that the government would uphold the rights of every Ghanaian child.
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In a later statement online, Iddrisu stated that students must practice their religion freely.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, however, expressed disappointment with the minister's comments, calling them unnecessary and divisive.
Shafic Osman urged to drop lawsuit against Wesley Girls
YEN.com.gh reported that the Christian Council of Ghana urged Osman to consider settling the case out of court.
The General Secretary of the Council, Rev Dr Cyril Fayose, acknowledged the plaintiff’s right to seek judicial redress but cautioned against the long-term implications of prolonged litigation.
Fayose believes this is a sensitive religious matter that should be resolved through peaceful engagement.
Source: YEN.com.gh
