Gov’t Signs MoUs to Ensure Religious Freedom in Mission Schools Across the Country
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting religious freedom in Ghana’s educational institutions, announcing significant progress in ensuring that students are never forced to abandon their religious beliefs regardless of their school’s religious affiliation.
Speaking on Thursday 11th September, 2025 at the Jubilee House during the courtesy call by the Regional Chief Imams, President Mahama emphasized that Ghana’s diverse religious landscape requires careful attention to constitutional guarantees of religious freedom in schools across the nation.
“Ghana is a nation of diverse religions, and one of the things our Constitution guarantees is the freedom of religion, freedom to worship and freedom to express one’s religious identity,” President Mahama stated. “There should be no grounds for religious discrimination either on the side of Christians or on the side of Muslims.”
The President highlighted practical challenges facing families in communities where mission schools—whether Christian or Muslim—may be the only educational option available for children seeking secondary or basic education.
President Mahama outlined specific scenarios where religious tolerance becomes crucial: “There are times where you find a secondary school which is a Muslim secondary school, Ahmadiyya, Ghana Muslim Mission, or some other mission in a community. So if children want secondary education, or even basic education, that is the only school in their community.”
He stressed that Christian children attending Muslim schools should not be compelled to adopt Islam, just as Muslim students in Christian schools should not be forced to abandon their faith or suppress their religious expression.
The Ministry of Interior has spearheaded efforts to formalize religious tolerance policies in educational institutions. Under the leadership of the Interior Minister, the government has successfully negotiated and signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) specifically targeting religious tolerance in mission schools.
These agreements represent a concrete step toward ensuring that Ghana’s educational system remains inclusive and respectful of the country’s religious diversity.
This initiative comes at a time when religious harmony is increasingly recognized as essential for maintaining Ghana’s social cohesion and national unity. The President’s emphasis on constitutional protections reinforces Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of religious tolerance in West Africa.
The policy ensures that no child will be denied access to quality education due to religious differences, while simultaneously protecting students’ fundamental right to maintain their religious identity and practices.
The signed MOUs represent just the beginning of a broader effort to institutionalize religious tolerance across Ghana’s educational landscape. The government’s proactive approach demonstrates its commitment to upholding constitutional principles while addressing practical challenges faced by families and communities nationwide.
This landmark initiative positions Ghana as a model for other nations seeking to balance religious diversity with educational accessibility, ensuring that the country’s schools remain spaces of learning and mutual respect for all students, regardless of their religious background.
