Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame has justified the refusal of some missionary schools in the country to permit Islamic practices on their campuses.
According to Godfred Dame, who is the principal legal advisor to the government, just like most African countries including Ghana do not entertain activities of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender, Queers and Intersexes (LGBTQI+) and actually advocate against their practices, missionary schools in the country are right to be intolerant of Islamic practices and to prevent Muslims students from practicing their faith.
Mr. Dame said this in an interview on JoyNews TV. During the interview, an argument ensued between the AG and the host, Evans Mensah about the progressiveness of their SHS Alma maters; Adisadel College and St. Thomas Aquinas SHS respectively in terms of which of the two schools is more tolerant and accommodative of diversity on its campus.
While the host contended that his alma mater is more progressive because it has permitted the building of a mosque on its campus for Islamic students to observe the 5 daily mandatory prayers and other practices cardinal to the Islamic religion, Mr. Dame insisted that his school is more progressive despite the fact that it does not entertain Islamic practices and facilities for the practice of the religion such as a mosque.
Making reference to advocates and activities of LGBTQI, Godfred Dame, who is a Christian, argued that missionary schools, though funded by state resources, are not wrong to prevent Islamic practices on their campuses.
“Mine (his alma mater) is more progressive than yours (the host’s) yet we do not have a mosque there and it is proper. That is why I have issues with those who support gay rights. They think that it is not progressive for you to advocate against gay rights. I do not understand that. I can’t come to terms with that. The fact that you find it appropriate to advocate for the rights of gays and lesbians does not mean I should also not have the right to advocate against that practice.
And indeed, in one of my earlier engagements with some high commissioners here, they said our nations should also feel free to advocate against the practice of lesbians and gays. So the fact that your school perhaps also recognize (Islamic practices) and entertains a mosque there (on its campus) does not mean that Adisadel which is more prominent than yours (the host’s alma mater) is not acting appropriately by not having a mosque there (on its campus),” he argued.
His remarks come few weeks after a section of the public particularly the Muslim community expressed outrage over a decision by Wesley Girls’ Senior High School, based in Cape Coast, not to permit Muslim students on campus partake in the just ended Ramadan fasting.
The school had sought to justify its decision, which many deemed discriminatory, with the claim that the rule not to permit the observation of fasting on campus was not targeted at any religion but was instituted to ensure the welfare of students.
This was after it defied the Ghana Education Service’s directive to allow the students observe the Ramadan fasting.
It, however, emerged that the school is not only intolerant of fasting which is a cardinal practice of the Islamic religion but the entire religion. An old student of the school revealed how the school prevents Muslim students from practicing their faith on campus and treat any student who attempt to practice Islam in the school with contempt and disdain.
President Akufo-Addo, who appeared displeased with the action of the school, while assuring the public of resolving the issue which has raised tempers in the Muslim community, reminded the general public of the constitutional provision that guarantees every citizen the freedom to believe and practice any religion of their choice and the right to manifest such religious beliefs and practices.
But his principal legal advisor believes there is nothing wrong with the action of the school.
