The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ conference has described as “unwarranted threats” issued by government to all heads of public institutions over the raging debate on whether Muslim students should attend christian related activities in the schools.
Muslims in the country are demanding that they be exempted from Christian prayer sessions in public schools.
According to them, compelling them to join Christian services violated their basic human rights.
In a press statement signed by the President of the Council, Most Reverend Joseph Osei-bonsu, the Council stated that it has noted with grave concern calls for unregulated religious practices in schools.
“We, the members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference have followed with grave concern the recent developments in our dear nation with respect to calls for unregulated religious practices in our schools. We note, in particular, the unwarranted threats of sanction coming from Government circles. Needless, we are stating that no citizen in Ghana should allow him/herself to be cowed down by any intimidation or threat of sanction from any individuals,” they stated.
Head of Catholic educational instutitions were advised to remain resolute and not feel intimidated by what they described as “threat of sanctions.”
“Consequently, we wish to assure Heads of our Catholic Educational Institutions to remain resolute and not feel unduly intimidated by threat of sanctions. We expect our Heads to continue to manage our schools in ways and practices that are in conformity with our Catholic identity and mission,” they added.
The Council also expressed confidence in the National Peace Council to reach an amicable resolution to the matter.
“We join the Christian Council of Ghana in advocating dialogue on the issue at stake. We believe that the Ghana Peace Council has the capacity to deal with this issue in broad consultation with all stakeholders, especially, religious leaders who own and manage the mission schools. Until this is done, we wish to call on government and all other persons to refrain from issuing statements or making pronouncements which may not help in finding a peaceful solution to this issue. Dialogue is the key for in reasoning with others through dialogue, we obtain justice and peace,” they concluded.
