The Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Ghana (FOMWAG) has called on authorities of government-assisted mission schools to faithfully implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that protects the religious rights of Muslim students, particularly Muslim girls.
The call follows renewed public debate over the right of Muslim students in some publicly funded mission schools to observe aspects of their faith, including fasting and prayer during the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement signed by its National Ameerah, Ing. Safura Muhammed Andani, FOMWAG said the issue goes beyond school regulations and touches on fundamental constitutional rights, including freedom of religion and the right to education without discrimination, as guaranteed under the 1992 Constitution.
The association acknowledged the historic role mission schools have played in Ghana’s educational development and said it values their traditions and moral foundations, which have benefited generations of students, including Muslims.
However, FOMWAG stressed that because these schools receive public funding, their traditions must coexist peacefully with the constitutional rights of all students they serve.
The statement recalled that in 2021, the National Peace Council facilitated the development of an MoU between key stakeholders and the Conference of Managers of Education Units (COMEU) to provide clear guidelines on safeguarding the rights of Muslim students in government-assisted mission schools.
According to FOMWAG, the MoU reflects both the spirit and letter of the Constitution and Ghana’s long-standing commitment to religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The group, therefore, called on the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Ministry of Education, COMEU, school administrators and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the full and transparent implementation of the MoU.
“No student in a public institution should feel alienated or compelled to give up their religious obligations in pursuit of academic excellence,” the statement said, describing the matter as both a constitutional and moral imperative.
FOMWAG also urged parents and faith-based organisations to remain engaged through dialogue and peacebuilding, while calling on the wider society to approach the issue with understanding and mutual respect.
“This conversation should not divide us,” the statement added, noting that Ghana’s diversity of faiths and cultures has been a key factor in maintaining national peace.
FOMWAG reaffirmed its commitment to working with both mission and public institutions to promote an inclusive educational system where every child feels respected, protected and empowered to achieve their full potential.
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