It is very unfortunate – Catholic Bishops goes after Education Minister over religious rights comments
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has criticised Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu over his recent warnings to schools not to infringe on students’ religious rights.
According to the Conference, the minister’s comments were unnecessary and risk reopening tensions that religious groups had already resolved.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Haruna Iddrisu said no student should be prevented from practising their faith and stressed that the Ministry would not tolerate any breach of religious rights. His remarks came after a Supreme Court directive asking Wesley Girls’ Senior High School to respond to a suit alleging it restricts Muslim students from practising aspects of their religion.
In an interview with Citi News, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, said all major religious bodies—including Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, SDAs, and the Police Service—signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) three months ago to guide religious tolerance in schools.
“It is very unfortunate. We don’t know why the Minister has resurrected issues that have already been settled. Barely three months ago, all religious bodies signed an MoU on religious tolerance,” he said.
He explained that under the MoU, schools founded by religious bodies are to operate according to their values and philosophy, while ensuring minority faiths are not discriminated against and are allowed reasonable space to practise their beliefs.
“If parents choose a Catholic school, they must understand the ethos that governs that school. Catholics will not abandon their principles so that every religion is practised anyhow.
“Similarly, if a Catholic child goes to a Muslim or Presbyterian school, they must respect that school’s rules. Otherwise, schools become ungovernable,” he added.
Most Rev. Gyamfi said he was surprised the minister had returned to Parliament to raise a matter already resolved through dialogue.
“I am a little surprised he would go back to Parliament to make those statements. I don’t know what he was trying to achieve other than to awaken misunderstandings or religious conflict.
“Our politicians must be very careful not to use religion in ways that create problems for the country. We already have enough challenges,” he cautioned.
He emphasised that religious bodies remain committed to the MoU and see no reason to revisit the issue.
“For us, nothing is going to change. What we agreed upon is what will govern our schools. So why resurrect this issue?” he questioned.
The Bishops maintain that the MoU provides a clear framework that should continue to guide all stakeholders…CONTINUE MORE READING>>>