Methodist Church rejects discrimination claims, says Wesley Girls’ has accepted all faiths for over 189-years

The Methodist Church of Ghana has pushed back firmly against allegations of religious discrimination at Wesley Girls’ High School, stating that the renowned institution has a 189-year tradition of welcoming students of all faiths and backgrounds.

In a press release responding to a pending Supreme Court suit filed by a Muslim, the Presiding Bishop of the church, Most Rev. Prof. Johnson K. Asamoah-Gyadu, said it is taking steps to obtain official records of the case to enable its legal team “to take the necessary action to protect the Church’s interests.”

The Church rejected claims that WGHS engages in discriminatory practices, describing such assertions as contrary to the school’s history and its Methodist identity.

Since its founding in 1836, the statement noted, WGHS has trained generations of students from diverse religious backgrounds. “Over the years, WGHS has educated Methodists, Adventists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Muslims, Eckists, Buddhists, Hindus, Atheists, Agnostics, Catholics, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Pentecostals and many others who have gone on to contribute meaningfully to society,” the Church said.

It stressed that the school’s strong moral and disciplinary culture has always been grounded in inclusion. “The Methodist Church Ghana considers discrimination to be fundamentally inconsistent with Christian teaching, and therefore incompatible with our mission,” the statement added.

The Church highlighted that the school’s traditions and rules are designed to maintain unity, structure and fairness across the student body, especially as diversity increases. It warned that creating separate systems of living and worship for different faith groups would “inevitably lead to segregation and undermine the cohesion and collective traditions of the school.”

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WGHS, it said, only requires students to respect its traditions and established framework — a framework the Church insists has always treated all students equally.

Reaffirming the school’s constitutional commitment, the Church stated: “We recognise and respect the constitutional right of every student to practice her faith or non-faith within the framework of WGHS traditions.”

The Methodist Church further pointed to an existing national framework agreed upon by major religious bodies — including Muslim leaders — to guide faith coexistence in mission schools, emphasising that WGHS has strictly adhered to it.

Reassuring the public, the Church noted that its “treasured Wesleyan heritage admits of no discrimination whatsoever” and that its long-standing mission “dating as far back as 1835” continues to be anchored on respect, sound values and quality education.

The statement concluded with a commitment to constructive engagement: “The Methodist Church Ghana remains committed to dialogue and collaboration with all relevant stakeholders to ensure peace, understanding, and mutual respect among all faiths and traditions.”

MyJoyOnline