The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has for the first time spoken on the fracas between authorities of the Wesley Girls’ High School and some Muslim leaders in the country.
President Akufo-Addo says educational institutions should not be a place to settle religious scores.
Speaking at this year’s Eid ul-Fitr celebration at the premises of the state broadcaster, GBC, President Akufo-Addo said the government is working with all relevant stakeholders to address the issue.
According to him, the schools are the first place for young people to socialize and learn more about each other’s religious beliefs, dance, languages, and food.
“We should be proud that our national Constitution simply reinforces these characteristics, and it should, therefore, be easy for us to uphold these basic and fundamental tenets that hold us together. The boarding schools in our country have traditionally served as the training grounds in learning about each other, about tolerance and losing the fear of the unknown. That is where young Ghanaians learn to eat each other’s food, that is where they learn songs and dances of the different parts of the country and also where they learn about each other’s religion and a place where lifelong friendships are forged.”
“Throughout the years, the schools have by and large managed to find a reasonable, balanced atmosphere to enable our young people to flourish and this has served us well. The schools have evolved and adapted their practices to suit the times and I would urge that we do not turn them into the place to fight ideological battles.”
He thus thanked the National Chief Imam for the leadership shown in the midst of the matter.
“I thank the Muslim community in Ghana for the continued support for my programme of transformation. Insha Allah, I shall continue to work with and for you for the peace, progress and prosperity of our country. Jama, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharabutu, for his exemplary leadership not only of the Muslim flock but also of our country generally.”
“The National Chief Imam is the very epitome of tolerance and peaceful co-existence. He continues to make our country the envy of the world for its religious tolerance. His inter and intra-religious co-operation is amazing and sets Muslim communities in our country for which we owe him a great debt of gratitude,” President Akufo-Addo added.
