The National Muslim Conference of Ghana (NMCG) has explained that Muslim students in government-assisted mission schools are not demanding the construction of mosques on campus.

According to him, they simply want the freedom to pray, fast, and avoid being forced to participate in church services.

Essentially, the NMCG noted that the Christian bodies had already agreed to the 15 April 2024 MoU, which calls for acceptance of diversity, religious non-discrimination, support for students’ religious observance, and recognition of fasting and worship arrangements.

"It is therefore surprising for leaders who signed a peace-oriented MoU to now defend policies that violate it. It is important to state that Muslims are not asking for a mosque to be built in these mission schools, rather grant them their rights to pray, fast and not force them to attend church activities" a part of the statement read.

Weeks ago, Office of the Attorney General filed a formal response to a Supreme Court suit where Wesley Girls' Senior High, one of the top SHSs in Ghana, was accused of discriminatory religious policies.

The suit was filed on December 24, 2024, by private legal practitioner Shafic Osman under the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction, invoking Articles 2(1)(b) and 130(1)(a) of the 1992 Constitution.

It centres on allegations that Muslim students are barred from wearing the hijab, fasting during Ramadan, and observing other Islamic rites, and forced to partake in practices of the Methodist Church, which established the school. He argued that actions the plaintiff says violate constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion.

In his response, the Attorney General dismissed claims that the school is acting unlawfully, insisting that Wesley Girls' SHS, founded and operated by the Methodist Church of Ghana, is permitted to enforce rules consistent with its Methodist principles, arguing that the school's faith-based identity grants it the authority to establish standards on religious conduct within the school environment, even where such standards limit the expression of other religious practices.

Below are the exact reliefs below:

A declaration that the 1st Defendant's policy prohibiting the belief, practice, and observance of Islam by Muslim students on its campus is contrary to and inconsistent with Articles 12, 17(1) and (2), 21(1)(b), (c), (e), and 26 of the 1992 Constitution and international human rights cognisable under Article 33(5) of the Constitution of Ghana, 1992.

A declaration that the 1st Defendant's policy compelling and requiring the practice of a compulsory school religion in a public school is contrary to and inconsistent with Articles 21(1)(b), (c), and Article 26.

A declaration that the 1st Defendant's policy prohibiting Muslim students from exercising their religious rights is unlawfully discriminatory and a violation of Article 17(2) of the Constitution of Ghana, 1992.

A declaration that the limitations on Muslim students in the 1st Defendant school undermine the welfare of Muslim students under international human rights of the child cognisable under Article 33(5) of the Constitution of Ghana, 1992.

A declaration that the 1st Defendant's policy compelling the practice of Methodism by all students is an establishment of religion in violation of Article 21(1)(c) and Article 56 of the Constitution of Ghana, 1992.

A declaration that by allowing the 1st Defendant's policy of compelling the practice of Methodism by all students, the 2nd Defendant has unlawfully allowed the imposition of a common religious programme in violation of Article 56 of the Constitution of Ghana, 1992.

An order perpetually restraining the 1st and 2nd Defendants, with immediate effect, from further administering the impugned policy in the 1st Defendant school or similar policies in any other school.

An order directing the 2nd Defendant to enact constitutionally compliant guidelines for the regulation of religious practice and observance for all public schools in Ghana.

Any other order(s) that this honourable court may deem fit.

But the Methodist Church of Ghana has also firmly denied claims of religious discrimination at Wesley Girls’ High School (WGHS), stressing that the school’s long-standing traditions are lawful, inclusive, and essential for promoting unity and discipline.

In a statement released Friday, November 28, the Church responded to reports of the Supreme Court case, Shafic Osman v. The Board of Governors, Attorney-General & Ghana Education Service. While it has not yet received formal notification, the Church said it is actively seeking official records to allow its legal team to respond appropriately.

The Church insisted that suggestions portraying WGHS as a “public school” engaging in discriminatory practices are baseless. Since its founding in 1836 by Harriet Wrigley, the school has been dedicated to nurturing the “Head, Heart and Hand” of the girl-child, irrespective of race, religion, creed, or background.

Pointing to nearly 200 years of educating students from diverse faiths—including Muslims, Adventists, Catholics, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Eckists, Buddhists, Hindus, atheists, and agnostics—the Church highlighted that many alumni have made significant contributions to society. It added that this record reflects Methodist teachings, where discrimination has no place in Christian values.

The Church also clarified that government support offered to faith-based schools in the early 1960s did not alter WGHS’s Methodist character. The school has always openly professed its Christian foundation, represented through its motto, “Live Pure, Speak True, Right Wrong, Follow the King”, and its school hymn, which affirms a commitment to Christian and moral formation.

Admitted students are expected only to respect the school’s traditions and follow a framework that promotes uniformity, discipline, order, and shared experiences. The Church explained that with enrolment rising and diversity increasing, maintaining a unified structure is essential for all students to live, study, worship, and participate cohesively.

Recognising students’ constitutional right to practise their faith, the Church stressed that creating separate routines for meals, sleep, worship, or study would encourage segregation and weaken the school’s collective culture.

The Church cited the Memorandum of Understanding signed on April 15, 2024, by the Conference of Managers of Education Units (COMEU) and facilitated by the National Peace Council. Endorsed by major Christian bodies and Muslim leadership, including the Office of the National Chief Imam and the Ahmadiyya Mission, the MoU provides a framework for harmony in mission schools, which WGHS continues to uphold.

The Methodist Church also expressed appreciation for public support from the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Christian Council of Ghana, the Anglican Church, and other ecumenical groups that have issued statements in solidarity.