The Coalition of Muslim Organisations is calling the Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, to sanction the headmistress of Wesley Girls Senior High School over her decision to not allow a Muslim student to observe the Islamic Ramadan fasting rituals.
The Coalition also wants a national policy to safeguard the countries peaceful coexistence.
“The actions shows sheer hatred, ignorance, prejudice and intolerance on the part of the Headmistress of Wesley SHS, Kay Oppong Ankomah and her administration where they barred Muslim students from prayers, meetings and even the ongoing Ramadan Fasting”, parts of the statement read.
The statement continued that “Wesley Girls has ignored the 1992 Constitution Article 21(c) which states that “All persons shall have freedom to practice any religion and to manifest such practice”.
They argued that a punishment will serve as deterrence to others
An angry father last Monday stormed Wesley Girls High School in Cape Coast to withdraw his ward from the school saying he does not understand why the school does not permit her and others in the school to fast.
Ishmael Zakaria Alhassan, father of Ismael Bushira said he was convinced the child would be better off in another school that would allow her to fast than to be in a school that would infringe on the rights of Muslims to fast.
Over this same issue, the Muslim Caucus in Parliament also met the leadership of the Methodist Church leadership.
According to the statement signed by Minority Chief Whip Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, he noted that “there were cordial discussions on the issue, the Church assured the Muslim delegation of their commitment to resolve the issue within a couple of days in shaa Allah.
“His Eminence the Presiding Bishop assured that the board of the school, of which he is the Chairman, will be meeting to discuss the issue and the concerns of the delegation and others will be graciously taken on board to amicably resolve the problem.
“The church pledged to keep the delegation informed on the specific decision taken at the meeting regarding the resolution of the issue at stake.”
Meanwhile Executive Director of Child Right International Bright Appiah wants more to be done to protect the fundamental human rights including the rights to express their religion.
