Most Reverend Emmanuel Fianu, who serves as Chairman of the National Peace Council, has affirmed that second cycle mission schools in Ghana provide worship spaces for students who belong to faiths other than Christianity.
During an appearance on the programme Hot Issues on TV3 on Sunday, November 30, 2025, he explained that the Memorandum of Understanding signed by various religious partners contains clear provisions for such accommodation in second cycle mission schools. The agreement was developed by the Conference of Managers of Education Units with support from the National Peace Council. It was validated on April 15, 2024, and later approved by the Director General of the Ghana Education Service on April 11, 2025.
The document received signatures from thirteen missions and religious organisations that include the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, the Ahmadiyya Mission, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the Anglican Church, the Assemblies of God Church, the Ghana Baptist Convention, the Catholic Church, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, the Islamic Mission, the Methodist Church Ghana, the Salvation Army, the Garrison Education Unit, and the Police Education Unit. The agreement offers a national guide for handling religious diversity in mission schools while still maintaining their spiritual heritage.
Reverend Fianu made his remarks as public debate continues on the subject of religious freedom and necessary accommodation in mission schools that receive support from the government. The conversation grew more intense after a Supreme Court case was filed in December 2024 by private legal practitioner Shafic Osman. His case challenges Wesley Girls’ Senior High School over policies that reportedly prevented Muslim students from observing essential religious practices such as wearing the hijab and fasting during Ramadan.
The agreement addresses important areas of religious expression in mission schools, including fasting, dress requirements, and places of worship. It states that students may fast according to the teachings of their faith, although parents or guardians must first request permission from school authorities. Counselling must also be offered before the fasting period begins. Students are expected to observe all school rules during their fast.
On matters of dress, the agreement indicates that only the approved uniforms and the established mode of dressing for the particular mission based school must be respected. Parents and students must comply with these instructions. Schools must also make their rules widely accessible to the public and provide orientation for pupils, students, parents, and guardians on all guidelines, including those related to fasting, worship spaces, and acceptable dress.
The framework further states that no student should be compelled to choose a school against their will. Students must understand the values of the schools they decide to attend and must be prepared to accept those values before making their choice. This provision encourages thoughtful decision making among parents and students when selecting schools.
The Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, launched the agreement in Accra in September 2025, describing it as a major step toward strengthening peace, unity, and understanding in learning institutions. He noted that the agreement is not only an educational measure but a national effort to nurture a country where differences are a source of strength rather than conflict.
Deputy Education Minister Clement Apaak remarked that classrooms in Ghana reflect the nation’s broad diversity, making them important places for instilling values of tolerance and inclusion. He promised the full support of the Education Ministry to ensure effective application of the agreement in all mission schools. The ministry has pledged to work with all partners to build an atmosphere that allows students of every faith to thrive.
Most Reverend Fianu assured the public that the National Peace Council will lead a nationwide sensitisation campaign with help from Regional Education Directors to promote a common understanding of the guidelines. The Council has offices across all sixteen regions to support this effort. He encouraged teachers, parents, and students to help create schools that remain peaceful and supportive environments.
The agreement has received mixed reactions from some religious groups and advocacy organisations. The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the Christian Council of Ghana released a joint statement on November 25, 2025, which defended the religious character of mission schools while acknowledging the new provisions. They noted that government support for these schools does not amount to government ownership, nor does it grant authority to redefine the identity of institutions founded by religious missions.
The National Muslim Conference of Ghana issued a response on November 27, 2025, clarifying that Muslim students in government assisted mission schools are not asking for mosques to be built on campuses. They only request the freedom to pray, to fast, and to opt out of Christian worship activities. The organisation described any attempt to limit the rights of minority faith groups in mission schools as unconstitutional and inconsistent with the agreement.
The National Muslim Conference cited the 2015 Ghana Education Service Directive on Religious Tolerance, which forbids compelling Muslim students to join Christian worship, denying them the right to wear the hijab, or blocking them from following their faith. The group referenced Islamic senior high schools such as T. I. Ahmadiyah in Kumasi, Suhum Islamic Girls Senior High School, and Siddiq Senior High School, where Christian female students are not required to wear the hijab, showing that peaceful coexistence is already demonstrated in several institutions.
The ongoing debate reveals broader questions about how Ghana can uphold the long established heritage of mission schools while respecting constitutional guarantees of religious freedom. Mission schools have been an important part of the country’s education system for many years, shaping the development of countless leaders while continuing to express the values of their founding missions.
Legal experts are watching the Supreme Court case closely. Some believe that since Wesley Girls’ Senior High School receives public funds, its policies must be consistent with the Constitution rather than with strict denominational customs. Others argue that the case marks an important examination of how religious accommodation should function in public schools and may influence future national policy.
The Supreme Court has advised all sides to limit public commentary and analysis on social media as the case unfolds. The ruling is expected to clarify how far mission schools that receive government support may go in enforcing their religious practices while also respecting the freedom of students from other faiths.
Reverend Thompson Kofi Arboh, National President of the Conference of Managers of Education Units, said the agreement will help managers of mission schools enjoy greater harmony in their supervision. He added that this will support teaching and learning and strengthen the academic excellence and co curricular achievements that mission schools across Ghana are known for.
The implementation of the agreement represents an important effort to formalise practices that balance the religious history of mission schools with the rights of students from varied faith traditions. Its success will depend on consistent application in all mission schools and on continuous dialogue among religious groups, government agencies, and educational partners.